Image via Complex Original
With the passing last week of the great "Macho Man" Randy Savage, we did what any wrestling fan would do—scour Youtube for old clips. After getting choked up, we came across a clip of the late Savage and the Hulkster teaming up and remembered that feeling we had when it first went down. Tag teams in pro wrestling come a dime a dozen, but the truly entertaining ones stick around for awhile. You have duos like the Rockers and the Midnight Express to the Steiners and the Dudleys putting it all on the line for the fans. As we continue to reminisce on Macho Man, take a look at The Most Memorable Tag Teams in WWE History.
"The Mega Powers"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1987-1989
FINISHING MOVE: Savage Elbow Drop/Hogan Leg Drop
COMPLEX SAYS: The Madness and the Mania. The greatest tag team that could've been. They didn't accomplish what some of these other duos did but...who cares? These two men were the best in the sport when they decided to team up, leaving opponents devasted by the amount of swag that pumped through their veins. They had no signature team move like these other chumps; just the Hogan Leg Drop, finished off with Savage on the top turnbuckle. OHHH YEAHHHH! R.I.P.
"The Dudleys"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1997-2010
FINISHING MOVE: 3-D/Dudley Death Drop
COMPLEX SAYS: These guys were straight savages. Hailing from the hardcore ECW, the Dudleys broke tables like nobody's business. Chicks, managers, old ladies, it didn't matter. They seemingly got their kicks off whenever they pulled the 3-D off. It's in the eyes, chico.
"The Nasty Boys"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1986-2010
FINISHING MOVE: Trip to Nastyville
COMPLEX SAYS: The Nasty Boys were punk rock incarnate. They wore all black everything before it was cool and donned badass mullets. After starting off in the now defunct WCW, the Nastys wrecked havoc on the WWF, kicking ass and spitting at fans and opponents alike. They've also been known to get into real fights with wrestlers inside and outside of the ring, including hospitalizing Ken Shamrock after a hotel fight.
"The Hardy Boyz"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1993-present
FINISHING MOVE: Event Omega
COMPLEX SAYS: The Hardyz never disappointed. Fan favorites due to their death-defying, high-wire act, the real-life brothers took the WWE by storm in 1998 and haven't looked back. They gained popularity through their regular involvement in TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs) matches, winning the first ever Tag Team Ladder Match vs. Edge and Christian. The Brothers Hardy won the Tag Team title six times and had one of the baddest female wrestlers by their side.
"Edge and Christian"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1998-2011
FINISHING MOVE: Conchairto
COMPLEX SAYS: Childhood friends, E&C held the WWE Tag Team title seven times. They were known for their long-standing feud with the Hardy Boyz and their epic 3-way Ladder Match victory versus said Hardys and the Dudleys during Wrestlemania 2000. They started out as vampires, taking advantage of the bad vamp TV show boom of the '90s, and eventually evolved into brilliant comedians in the ring often "reeking of awesomeness."
"The Outsiders"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1996-2010
FINISHING MOVE: Backbreaker/Diving Elbow Drop
COMPLEX SAYS: Kevin Nash and Scott Hall changed the game. They ushered in a new breed of Tag Teams and stables, making mic work just as important as ring work. These two imposing figures won the WCW Tag Team title six times and were involved in some of the best storylines in wrestling history; even turning the "Immortal" Hulk Hogan heel. Sweet!!!
"The Hart Foundation"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1985-1991
FINISHING MOVE: The Hart Attack
COMPLEX SAYS: The Harts were one of the greatest stables of all time, but The Hitman and the Anvil were one of the most villainous and effective duos in history, steady jumping cats. Brett's Sharpshooter was impossible to return from and the Anvil wore down their opponents with his 6'2" 300lbs frame, finishing his victims with the Anvil Flattener. They were managed by "The Mouth of The South" Jimmy Hart and were brother-in-laws, which explains their chemistry in the ring.
"The Four Horsemen"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1986-1989
FINISHING MOVE: The Spike Piledriver
COMPLEX SAYS: By far the greatest stable of all-time, the Horsemen consisted of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard. Arn and Tully represented the stable's flagship Tag Team, The Brain Busters. These three-time Tag Team champs gave fans an awesome show every time with their great chemistry and diabolical ways. Many of their matches ended in disqualifications due to the other memebers of the Horsemen coming to their aide.
"The Steiner Bros."
YEARS ACTIVE: 1989-2008
FINISHING MOVE: Steinerizer
COMPLEX SAYS: Real-life brothers, The Steiners were born to wrestle. Both went to the University of Michigan and graduated as All-American wrestlers, which explains their technical style. Rick Steiner even used to rock the old school singlet and earmuffs. They had a vintage, hard-hitting approach to the sport which made them popular, especially in Japan where there were looser rules. The Steiners are the only Tag Team to win the WWF, WCW and IWGP (Japan) Tag Team belts before the WWF bought WCW.
"The Road Warriors"
YEARS ACTIVE: 1983-2005
FINISHING MOVE: Doomsday Device
COMPLEX SAYS: By all accounts, L.O.D. is the greatest Tag Team to ever reign in the squared circle. Hawk and Animal's chemistry was unparrelled and they had the most kickass intro music in wrestling. Their enemies sharted in their undies when they heard Ozzy's "Hellraiser" booming through the speakers. These men were massive individuals that revolutionized the sport with their innovative finishing move and face paint. Respect the kings!