Welcome to the world of 1990s wrestling, an era that saw the rise of some memorable tag teams and some unforgettable ones in the squared circle. As wrestling promotions like WWE (then WWF) and WCW thrived in their fierce competition, tag team wrestling underwent a transformation, captivating fans with its dynamic storytelling and high-octane action.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into some of the most influential and memorable tag teams of the 90s, examining their impact on the wrestling landscape and how they helped shape the future of the sport. So, buckle up and prepare for a nostalgic journey into the golden age of tag team wrestling, where larger-than-life characters, innovative moves, and powerful alliances reigned supreme.
Orient Express
Team Members – Sato and Tanaka
Team Debut – 1990 (WWF)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – Mr. Fuji
WWE Record – 28 wins, 43 losses
They might not have a ton of matches to remember, but the ones they did have in the WWE were pretty solid. In the history of tag teams, they’re underrated and were proven entertainers on pay-per-view cards. They might not have been anywhere near the best of the best, but they’re definitely a cut above average.
Power and Glory
Team Members – Paul Roma and Hercules
Team Debut – 1990 (WWF)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – Slick Rick
WWE Record – 48 wins, 84 losses
Finisher – Hercules Superplex followed by a Roma Splash
Hercules and Roma were two midcarders who got paired up, and you know what? They surprisingly had some amazing chemistry and were a blast to watch. Back in the day, they had some epic rivalries with The Rockers and Legion of Doom, and their tag team finisher was just top-notch. The two of them clicked so well, and their tandem finisher was nothing short of fantastic. Sadly, they never really got the push they deserved when they were a team. They could’ve added some serious flair to the tag title scene back in the day.
Demolition
Team Members – Smash and Crush
Team Debut – 1990 (WWF)
Titles Won – 1
Manager(s) – Ax
Record – 54 wins, 83 losses
Finisher – On One Knee Elbow Drop
This version of the team was like the watered-down, not-so-great knockoff of the original Demolition from the 1980s. They weren’t terrible, but they just couldn’t hold a candle to the real deal. Not a whole lot to chat about with this duo, unfortunately.
WCW Patriots
Team Members – Todd Champion and Firebreaker Chip
Team Debut – 1991 (WCW)
Titles Won – 1
Manager(s) – None
Record – 32 wins, 19 losses
Finisher – Flying Elbow
This tag team combo from WCW had a goofy name that didn’t do them any favors. And as for their run as a tag team, it was short-lived. Their gimmick quickly lost steam with the American audience, which was a bummer because they actually had some pretty decent matches, especially when they faced the right opponents. The bottom line is that they had potential in the ring, but their character development fell short, ultimately holding them back from greater success
The Executioners
Team Members – Dwayne Gill and Barry Hardy
Team Debut – 1990 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – None
Record – 8 wins, 66 losses
Let’s take a moment to reminisce about this wrestling tag team duo that, despite their best efforts, remained jobbers throughout their time in the ring. Hailing from the WWF Superstars days, they were known for their ever-changing gimmicks, and the Executioners was one of their main ones. Their matches mostly featured Duane Gill and Barry Hardy, but unfortunately, the duo was held back by their limited move arsenal and lack of the typical WWF physique
Money Inc.
Team Members – Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster
Team Debut – 1991 (WWE)
Titles Won – 3
Manager(s) – None
Record – 106 wins, 131 losses
A tag team that made a significant impact in WWF’s tag team division between 1992 and 1993. At a time when the division was experiencing a transitional phase, Money Inc. stepped up to the plate, giving Dibiase and IRS much-needed direction. The duo boasted good wrestling skills, solid promo abilities, and a natural chemistry that allowed them to shine in the ring.
Faces Of Fear
Team Members – Haku and The Barbarian
Team Debut – 1991 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – Bobby Heenan, Jimmy Hart
90s Record – 69 wins, 48 losses
A tag team made up of two underrated big men who never really got the recognition they deserved. Haku (Meng) and The Barbarian were the perfect monster heels, exuding a brutal aura that made them a force to be reckoned with in the ring. Paired with a manager who did the talking for them, they maintained their monstrous mystique, which made them even more intimidating.
New Foundation
Team Members – Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart
Team Debut – 1991 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 35 wins, 31 losses
This duo made up of Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart, never reached their full potential due to Neidhart’s early departure in 1992. They reunited briefly in 1994, but by then, Owen was already making strides in the main event scene. Their time together in 1997 was as part of the larger Hart Foundation, so their individual partnership was never truly the focus.
Their outfits may have been a bit odd, and the team was often seen as a knock-off of the original Hart Foundation, but they still had their moments. The duo managed to generate underdog sympathy and had their fans rooting for them. While the 1994 reunion was a bit stronger, it still wasn’t enough for them to truly make their mark as a tag team.
Natural Disasters
Team Members – Earthquake and Typhoon
Team Debut – 1991 (WWE)
Titles Won – 1
Manager(s) – Jimmy Hart
90s Record – 141 wins, 83 losses
Finsher: Double Corner Splash, Earthquake Splash
A unique tag team that truly made a statement with their combined weight of over 800 pounds. These behemoths were not technical wizards in the ring, but their sheer physical presence and chemistry made them a formidable force in their time.
Earthquake and Typhoon complemented each other’s ring styles, and their similar looks made them work as a cohesive unit. Although Earthquake was arguably the more skilled of the two, they both contributed to making the Natural Disasters an unforgettable tag team.
The Enforcers
Team Members – Arn Anderson and Larry Zbyszko
Team Debut – 1991 (WCW)
Titles Won – 1
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 43 wins, 37 losses
These two master technicians were thrown together, with Zbyszko looking for something to do and Anderson coming off a Four Horsemen breakup. Despite this, they managed to forge a pretty solid team. They excelled as sneaky veteran heels, showcasing their old-school wrestling skills. Anderson was arguably one of the greatest tag team wrestlers of all time, while Zbyszko was at his best in this partnership. Their matches were marked by smart strategy and clever tactics that set them apart from others.
Beverly Brothers
Team Members – Beau Beverly and Blake Beverly
Team Debut – 1991 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – The Genius
90s Record – 130 wins, 197 losses
Finsher – Shaker Heights Spike
This duo, made up of two strong and skilled wrestlers, was a solid heel team in the 90s. While they may not have been the most charismatic on the microphone, they made up for it with their solid in-ring work and the help of a very gimmicky manager in The Genius. Despite the lack of a title run, they remained memorable and appreciated for their hard work and dedication.
Ultimate Maniacs
Team Members – Macho Man and Ultimate Warrior
Team Debut – 1992 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 2 wins, 1 loss
The Ultimate Maniacs, a tag team in WWE, was formed with the exciting idea of bringing together two of the biggest stars of the time, Savage and Warrior. However, despite the team’s promising concept, their run was disappointingly short-lived. With only two televised matches to their credit, the Ultimate Maniacs couldn’t fully showcase their potential as a tag team. While the matches they did have were decent, it became evident that the combined talents of two exceptional individual wrestlers didn’t necessarily guarantee an equally successful tag team. In retrospect, some fans feel that these two wrestling legends were somewhat wasted in this team during a time when the WWE roster lacked an abundance of top-tier talent.
Headshrinkers
Team Members – Fatu and Samu
Team Debut – 1992 (WWE)
Titles Won – 3
Manager(s) – Afa, Captain Lou Albano
90s Record – 266 wins, 94 losses
Finisher – Headshrinker Splash
The Headshrinkers were a WWE tag team consisting of two brawlers who showcased impressive agility and technique despite their size. They worked in harmony with each other, and their dedication to their characters made them enjoyable to watch. Although the savage Samoan gimmick may seem dated now, they managed to sell it convincingly, even after their face turn. Their unique trait of showing zero reaction to headbutts added a cool factor to their performances. While the gimmick had a limited shelf life, the combination of Samu and Fatu, alongside Afa, created a memorable and entertaining tag team.
High Energy
Team Members – Owen Hart and Koko B. Ware
Team Debut – 1992 (WWE)
Titles Won – 0
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 71 wins, 69 losses
Finisher – Flying Jumpkick
High Energy was a WWE tag team consisting of two talented technical wrestlers, who unfortunately suffered from an ill-conceived gimmick. Their brightly colored parachute pants and flashy style were aimed at a younger audience, but it failed to resonate with many fans.
Despite their technical prowess and charisma, the team struggled to connect with the crowd and were mostly perceived as lower mid-card or jobbers. Owen was a phenomenal worker, while Koko also showcased solid in-ring skills. The duo managed to deliver respectable matches, but as a team, they were unable to reach their full potential due to the gimmick’s limitations.
Hollywood Blondes
Team Members – Steve Austin and Brian Pillman
Team Debut – 1992 (WCW)
Titles Won – 2
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 52 wins, 52 losses
Finisher – Flying Jumpkick
The Hollywood Blondes were a WCW tag team that showcased incredible chemistry and charisma both in the ring and during their promos. Their unique blend of different wrestling styles complemented each other perfectly, making them a standout act in the company. Despite their evident talent and being as over as any other tag team at the time, the Hollywood Blondes had a disappointingly short run.
Had they stayed together, the wrestling landscape might have been quite different, with no Stone Cold Steve Austin emerging later on.
Godwinns
Team Members – Henry Godwinn and Phineas Godwinn
Team Debut – 1996 (WWE)
Titles Won – 2
Manager(s) – Hillbilly Jim
90s Record – 223 wins, 191 losses
The Godwinns, a tag team in WWE, were known for their distinct slop bucket gimmick. Although they were not considered exceptional in the ring and were mainly skilled in brawling, they managed to hold the WWF World Tag Team Championship twice during their tenure. The Godwinns played a valuable role in the tag team division but were often seen as fillers rather than headliners. Despite their average in-ring performance, the team’s unique gimmick and cohesive teamwork made them memorable during the 90s.
The Nasty Boys
Team Members – Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags
Team Debut – 1990 (WCW)
Titles Won – 4 (WWE, WCW)
Manager(s) – None
90s Record – 449 wins, 249 losses
The Nasty Boys were a unique tag team known for their brawling style and wild, unpredictable matches, which led to memorable feuds with teams like Harlem Heat and The Steiners. Their promo ability was distinctive, with Knobs being the loud, over-the-top personality, while Sags was more serious and to the point. Though not the most technically skilled wrestlers, they provided accurate entertainment and thrived as both babyfaces and heels. They may have one of the “Nastiest” moves in wrestling history as they would often shove their opponent’s face into one of their armpits, they called it the Pit Stop.
The Nasty Boys managed to maintain their appeal and relevance throughout their long careers, staying true to their anti-social street punk personas.
Harlem Heat
Team Members – Booker T and Stevie Ray
Team Debut – 1993 (WCW)
Titles Won – 10 (WCW)
Manager(s) – Sister Sherri
90s Record – 234 wins, 160 losses
Finisher: Heat Seeker Dropkick
Harlem Heat was a highly-regarded tag team from WCW’s glory days, known for their perfect teamwork and tailor-made gimmick. Booker T brought agility and striking prowess to their matches, while Stevie Ray provided the power. Although they consistently delivered solid in-ring performances, they didn’t always have outstanding matches. Booker T carried the team on the mic, and while Stevie Ray fell a bit short in that area, they still formed a great unit. As a top team in WCW, they excelled as heels and were considered the champs even without holding the belts.
Tag Teams In The 90s
As we come to the end of our exploration of 1990s tag team wrestling, it’s evident that this era was a pivotal period for the sport, with numerous teams leaving an indelible mark on the industry. From innovative moves and unparalleled in-ring chemistry to captivating storylines and charismatic personas, these tag teams played an integral role in the evolution of wrestling.
They not only entertained audiences worldwide but also inspired future generations of wrestlers to push the boundaries and redefine the art of tag team competition. While the landscape of wrestling has changed significantly since the 90s, the legacy of these iconic tag teams lives on, reminding us of the thrilling, heart-stopping action that made this era truly unforgettable.
