The Monday Night RAW roster was recently boosted by the WWE Draft. But the tag team division on the red brand doesn't seem to be at the same level that the company is used to.
The New Day are holding their own as the WWE RAW Tag Team Champions, and they currently have contenders in Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin of The Hurt Business. Otherwise, there are few other challengers for the titles.
The tag team division is looking threadbare at present, but it doesn't have to be this way. Several WWE stars are not being used effectively right now, so they could could team up and become legitimate contenders. Here are just ten WWE competitors who could team together and challenge for the WWE RAW Tag Team Championships.
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#5. WWE RAW stars Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo
Angel Garza has been teasing a new character since his split from Andrade. But the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion doesn't look like he's any closer to debuting his new persona on WWE programming.
Garza might be better off in a new tag team with his real-life cousin, Humberto Carrillo. They have their own history on the red brand, and they have undeniable chemistry in the ring. Plus, Carrillo has been relegated to WWE Main Event in recent weeks, so the former 205 Live star could definitely use a boost.
Carrillo and Garza could team up and make a formidable tag team on WWE Monday Night RAW. But Garza is a heel and Humberto is a face, so this partnership doesn't seem to be a natural one. But Garza is the kind of versatile performer that could pull off being a tweener, though.
With the current lack of teams pushing forward on WWE RAW, these two stars could be perfect challengers for The New Day if no one else steps up.
#4. WWE RAW stars SLAPJACK and T-BAR
RETRIBUTION's career on WWE RAW hasn't panned out the way that the five stars may have hoped. Under the guidance of Mustafa Ali, the faction has been struggling since their feud with The Hurt Business derailed their momentum. But there is still a way for the group that thrives on chaos to turn their fortunes around.
It would be interesting to see if the group could go on a decent run on WWE RAW in the buildup to WWE TLC next weekend. Regardless of who walks out of the show as the champions, RETRIBUTION could be the ones to then challenge for the titles.
MACE, SLAPJACK, T-BAR, and even Ali are being underutilized on WWE RAW right now. So all of the stars involved could benefit from a decent storyline where the group is chasing championship gold.
SLAPJACK and T-BAR are perhaps the most prominent members of the group. They could be the best choice to challenge The New Day or The Hurt Business after the two teams collide at the pay-per-view. Either way, WWE needs to start using RETRIBUTION more effectively on the red brand.
#3. WWE RAW Stars The Miz and John Morrison
The Miz and John Morrison are arguably two of the best wrestlers on WWE RAW. But week after week, they are wasted in Miz TV segments where they are then pushed into a tag team match. More often than not, they come out on the losing side of these bouts.
The Miz is Mr. Money in the Bank, and John Morrison is currently playing cheerleader for his long-time friend. He deserves so much better, though. Both men have dominated the tag team division in the past. They could easily step back into contention for those championships if Miz decides to take his eye off the WWE Championship.
It's unlikely that The Miz will cash in his contract anytime soon, or even find success when he does. So as a backup plan, The Miz and Morrison should be looking for a way to move towards other titles.
As noted, there are hardly any challengers on the red brand right now. The Viking Raiders are out injured, so the division is quite depleted. The Miz and Morrison would definitely be worthy challengers in the new year If the New Day still hold the gold on WWE RAW.
#2. WWE RAW Star Elias and Jaxson Ryker
Elias has recently ended his WWE RAW feud with Jeff Hardy in a Symphony of Destruction Match. Though it seemed like Hardy and Elias could have formed a team together, WWE will likely take them in different directions.
This past week on WWE Main Event, Elias debuted a new character with former Forgotten Sons member Jaxson Ryker. There are still question marks over Ryker's future with WWE, but this development could help both men find success on WWE RAW.
Elias has never won tag team titles in WWE. But given Ryker's history of tag team success, he could use this experience to his benefit. The duo could be holding gold in a few months.
This new pairing is yet to debut their new partnership on WWE Monday Night RAW. Vince McMahon was reportedly testing the water with Ryker on WWE Main Event. If the two men get the green light, then it's easy to see these two stars becoming a legitimate threat in the tag team division.
#1. WWE RAW Stars Drew McIntyre and Sheamus
Sheamus and WWE Champion Drew McIntyre's friendship has been one of the main talking points on WWE RAW in recent weeks. This past week, Sheamus inadvertently Brogue Kicked the Champion and cost his team their match. They then brawled backstage.
Of course, this battle was like a fight between two brothers. They made up and moving forward, Sheamus and McIntyre are still the best of friends.
In the past, world champions have been able to go on to win tag team gold. John Cena successfully held both titles it alongside Shawn Michaels back in 2007.
There's seemingly nothing stopping these two men from teaming up and going after the WWE RAW Tag Team Championship. But they would have to face the New Day, so it would be interesting to see how this dynamic would play out.
At present, Drew McIntyre is focused on defending his WWE Championship. But heading into next year, there could be a way for the two stars to team up and start making waves as part of the WWE tag team division.