Underutilized main-roster acts visiting NXT is generally working well, such as with Dolph Ziggler doing some outstanding work around WrestleMania season and winning gold instead of doing the usual (losing matches with Dirty Dawgs). It might bring more eyes to the product and, in the case of Natalya, let greener wrestlers work with a seasoned performer.
The Viking Raiders, however, make for a tricky case. They were a rare act (like Asuka, and welcome back to her!) that went undefeated in NXT and only lost their belts after promotion. Known as the War Raiders in NXT, they were booked really strong.
Then they debuted on the main roster, briefly known as the cruise shipesque Viking Experience before becoming Viking Raiders. They had a good initial push, winning Raw gold for a while. But after losing the championship, they were generally booked as middle of the road, including seeming only like paper challengers who didn't actually pose a threat to The Usos' gold.
A win over Edris Enofe and Malik Blade made them look dominant again, but now facing The Creed Brothers is tricky. The Creeds have been booked as the best duo in NXT, only failing to capture the gold because they were exhausted after a gauntlet match. So it doesn't seem right for them to lose.
But for Viking Raiders to come down to NXT, the home of their undefeated record, and lose to the Creeds would be suboptimal. The storyline of Roderick Strong wanting to re-establish his leadership in Diamond Mine is a variable, where the brothers losing might further that plot, or maybe he gets involved. At least the outcome is unpredictable.
But there are still avenues where Vikings can end up not exactly looking great from this raid. Since the tag divisions on Raw and SmackDown aren't that deep, they still can do a lot of things there, even if the top of the mountain seems like a climb for them.
The following Tag Team Power Rankings take into account wins, power and placement of segments, recentness of appearances, creative direction and momentum for teams and factions.
WWE Tag Team Power Rankings through April 29:
1. RK-Bro (last week: 2)
Pro: The Raw champs had themselves a great show, what with Randy Orton's 20th anniversary party -- and an RKO party -- plus a win in an eight-man tag.
Con: Now have to square off with the whole Bloodline.
2. The Bloodline (1)
Pro: Roman Reigns and The Usos are all formidable champs getting to headline another premium live event.
Con: The Usos were on the losing side of an eight-man tag.
3. Sasha Banks and Naomi (3)
Pro: Still the women's tag titleholders. Naomi added a win on SmackDown.
Con: They took a beatdown afterwards.
4. Toxic Attraction (6)
Pro: Still holding all the women's gold. Mandy defeated a game Roxanne Perez.
Con: They keep getting clowned by Wendy Choo.
5. Pretty Deadly (5)
Pro: Still NXT men's champs.
Con: Took a back seat this week.
6. Legado del Fantasma (8)
Pro: Continued their hot streak with a mixed-tag win over Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley and helping deal a blow to Tony D'Angelo.
Con: Tony and his boys will certainly want some revenge.
7. New Day (7)
Pro: Xavier Woods continues to win, beating Ridge Holland with the most effective move in wrestling.
Con: Kofi Kingston couldn't overcome Sheamus.
8. Whatever we're calling the Sheamus-Ridge Holland-Butch faction (not ranked)
Pro: Sheamus got them back on their winning ways with a win over Kofi Kingston.
Con: Ridge Holland became the latest unable to escape the Back Woods. And they apparently haven't tracked down Butch yet.
9. Viking Raiders (not ranked)
Pro: Returned to NXT with a win.
Con: While this is a good use for them, it also reflects they don't have much going on back on the main roster.
10. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter (not ranked)
Pro: Won a really fun match on NXT.
Con: When will they finally be considered serious title contenders?
Best tag segment of the week: Any time The Usos and RK-Bro get a prime segment is noteworthy, including for a main event eight man tag that celebrated a milestone for Orton.
Grade: B
A bit of a step back this week in terms of action, but the Usos-RK-Bro program remains a top storyline.
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