23. Beer Money Inc.
via onlineworldofwrestling.com
This is the classic case of two guys just thrown together who ended up working brilliantly. Both Bobby Roode and James Storm had held tag team gold with other partners but were each a bit lost in 2008 with Storm the hard-drinking cowboy and Roode doing a “rich man” act. Seemingly at random, they joined forces and instantly clicked together, Storm’s brawling and Roode’s tough shots forging a great partnership, exemplified by their powerbomb/neckbreaker finisher.
It took a bit before they embraced the “Beer Money” motif with Storm more the wild man and Roode down to Earth but it worked brilliantly as they would go on to hold the TNA tag team titles four times, riling up crowds with their promos and becoming the best team around. They took on everyone from LAX to a classic feud with the Motor City Machineguns, at first heels but the fans soon responded to make them faces, cheering them on. They would break up with Roode going heel after beating Storm for the TNA World title to end their run. For three years, though, Beer Money was the top team in wrestling and proof of how two oddballs could end up forming something truly special.
22. The Outsiders
via youtube.com
Scott Hall and Kevin Nash had proven themselves as massive stars in WWE, Hall with five IC title reigns and Nash holding every belt in the company in a single year. Their jump to WCW was truly the kick-off of the Monday Night Wars, both making a huge impact so paired together, they were formidable. With Nash’s power and Hall’s skills, they dominated as tag team champions against all comers, usually cheating to keep the belts but still a powerful pair to take on.
More importantly was how they helped the NWO take WCW to new heights, the essence of arrogant cool and loving it. You can argue their merits as singles stars and their politics hogging the spotlight but the Outsiders were a key reason WCW took off as it did and that alone merits their inclusion on this list.
Discussion about this post