Just about every tag team has a breakout star. History has shown that when tag teams split, at least one member of the team breaks out and goes on to see individual success. On the flip side, for a few teams it sometimes goes downhill from there. It all depends on the potential and marketability of the respective superstars.
Shawn Michaels was the star of ‘The Rockers’ tag team, while Billy Gunn was the stand-out member of ‘The Smoking Gunns’. The success of Shawn Michaels leaves little to be explained, whereas Billy went on to be a part of another team New Age Outlaws which found massive success in the Attitude Era of mid-late 90s. Scott Steiner started off as one half of “The Steiner Brothers”. The Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff) along with Edge and Christian have all had success after their respective tag teams disbanded. The new era is no exception when it comes to current tag team superstars that could very well break out on their own in the future!
When the time does come to split apart, these five guys are onto better things for sure. Let’s take a look!
1. Big Cass
Big Cass is seven foot tall. But he also can hold his own in the ring. Cass had a massive opportunity when he advanced in the WWE Universal Championship tournament. He showed that he was just fine without partner Enzo Amore.
His savagery on the microphone gives Cass an advantage to when he does break out solo. Rumors of management being high on Cass definitely work in his favor. Cass has a marketable look as well, and all those attributes will serve him well in the future.
2. Heath Slater
While Slater has experience going solo, it’s no doubt that he is enjoying his current storyline now. Going undrafted may just be a blessing in disguise for the One Man Rock Band as it may give him the push he needs to get to the next level. Slater is the only active wrestler left in WWE that was in the original Nexus (David Otunga has resorted to commentary).
Slater may sound ridiculous and silly, but fact is that he is over. Many fans can relate to the struggle he is selling of providing for his family. Perhaps once Slater goes solo once more he may aim for bigger prizes to upgrade to a triple wide! You never know.
3. Chad Gable
As handsome and athletic as Jason Jordan may be one simply can’t ignore the talent of Chad Gable. Gable is the technical wrestler of the team, drawing comparisons to Kurt Angle. Gable is a former Olympian, just like Angle and Mark Henry. WWE could very well use it to their advantage once it is decided to split up American Alpha.
The tag line “Ready, Willing, and Gable” is already hot, and singles out Jordan. Gable is a diamond in the rough and looks to have a bright future ahead of him. For now, American Alpha is a hot ticket in the Smackdown Tag Team Division. We will have to wait just a little bit longer to see where he goes as a solo talent.
4. Enzo Amore
Amore is over based on his mic skills alone. However with his look and charisma to go with it, Amore would be just fine should he and Big Cass go their separate ways. This team could both breakout and achieves success outside of the Tag Team Division.
One example would be on the August 1st Raw, where he stood up for Sasha Banks and teamed with her against Charlotte and Chris Jericho. Its clear Amore has the crowd in the palm of his hand wherever he goes despite what situation he finds himself in. It’s a rare talent and Amore is money for the company. Singles gold is in his future as well in due time.
5. Xavier Woods
As much as we all love The New Day, a split is inevitably coming. Currently they are enjoying their 400 plus day run with the Tag Team Championship, which is a rare feat these days. Woods is the shining star of the group, usually heading the promos that the stable cuts weekly. His wit and humor add to his character.
It is obvious that Woods is having fun with The New Day and it allowed him to grow as a WWE Superstar. Woods’ mic work and decent ring work shows that he is ready to break out solo should The New Day meet their end. Can I just hope he will keep Francesca Two with him when they do split up?
