FanPost

Tag Team Weekly Roundup and Power Rankings

To say the rosters were all shook up after the Superstar Shakeup would be an understatement. But just when it seemed like Raw’s tag division was on the cusp of coming all the way back, they were all shook down.

Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt have had a delightful couple of Raws and now have a shot at the tag championship. And they pretty much have to win to keep the tag championship on Raw now.

Authors of Pain will be an excellent addition. With the Universal belt pretty much behind glass, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn might become tag team contenders. Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler make an intriguing pairing. Breezango bring additional entertainment and can go in the ring when given a chance. And apparently The Ascension are going to Mondays too.

BUT.

The Bar moving from Raw to SmackDown means the blue brand keeps tag team supremacy. The top of the division was already solid and now the anchors of Raw’s tag division join the mix. The change of scenery might be good for Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. And Sanity is coming!

So SmackDown’s tag scene keeps looking really strong. But at least Raw, despite losing The Bar, will get a full refresh it has long needed.

The following Tag Team Power Rankings take into account wins, power and placement of segments, recentness of appearances, creative direction and momentum for main-roster teams.

WWE Tag Team Power Rankings through April 17:

1. The Bludgeon Brothers (last week: 1)

Pro: Still the champs. Kept rolling through SmackDown tag division with Luke Harper’s quick win over an Uso. Also, Harper got his Luke back.
Con: N/A

2. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt (6)

Pro: Won yet again to set up a match vs. The Bar for the vacant Raw tag belts. And The Bar leaving makes the weird duo favorites. Plus Bray hasn’t looked this good since ....?
Con: Their matches aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing at this point, though they get the job done.

3. The Bar (5)

Pro: Move to SmackDown sets up so many exciting matches. And still due a title bout for their old Raw belts too.
Con: Lost to upstarts Breezango after dropping a title match to Braun and Some Kid. And will probably lose to Hardy and Wyatt too.

4. Authors of Pain (3)

Pro: Won second straight match, this one with a bit more substance, against Beauty and the Man Beast.
Con: While we all love Slater and Rhyno, they are pretty much enhancement talent, and the big boys could use some more meaningful wins at some point.

5. The Usos (2)

Pro: Still in a title program. Still good at what they do.
Con: Still taking losses to the Bludgeon Brothers.

6. Breezango (not ranked)

Pro: Welcome to Raw! Beating The Bar was their most significant victory since …? Potentially already in the title scene. Entertaining as ever. On a three-hour show where they might get regular airtime.
Con: Always seem one compulsive management decision away from returning to Jobberville.

7. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (9)

Pro: Sweet new Raw gigs should provide them plenty of airtime. Sami continues to be delightfully insufferable.
Con: Celebrated by losing a 10-man match.

8. Rusev Day (7)

Pro: Got to wrestle in the main event slot of SmackDown, and worked a good match. Still quite over.
Con: They were mainly there to get to the Nakamura/Big Cass business.

9. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (formerly The Balor Club) (not ranked in that configuration)

Pro: Going to SmackDown was a necessary move.
Con: Going to SmackDown was a necessary move.

10. Miztourage (not ranked)

Pro: Finally got one over on The Miz after he let them take punishment for him.
Con: With their gravy train leaving town, what becomes of Dallas and Axel?

So long, farewell, etc.: The team of Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin dissolved unceremoniously with Chad Gable getting a fallout promo that he was moving to Raw after the show went off the air. But he’s such a good wrestler that his return to the singles scene has a lot of promise. And some solid heeling by Benjamin, even if his role is likely going to be midcard gatekeeper putting over younger talent.

Best tag segment of the week: Despite some solid action and other plot developments, the segment revealing The Bar are heading to SmackDown legitimately tilted the balance of power between the shows back to the blue brand, and was well done to boot. Sheamus and Cesaro have been doing some solid character work, and we know their SmackDown matchups will be entertaining.

Grade: A+

The Superstar Shakeup was Christmas for both brands.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.