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WWE tends to create duos only to break them up. Their tag team division has long remained underappreciated unless the company sees something in one of the performers.
Sometimes these units are put together for the sole purpose of leading to a massive showdown between the former partners. Other times, fans genuinely get back an unlikely pair, leading to success and making the eventual split much more impactful as a result.
The shock of how everything breaks down is memorable and replayed for years to come. There have been quite a few tag team breakups that live on in everyone's memories.
#5 on our list of greatest tag team implosions in WWE history - The Mega Powers implode with the two biggest superstars meeting at WrestleMania
The Mega Powers imploding was the first time WWE really took a long-form story and paid it off at WrestleMania. The company put together its two biggest fan favorites in Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage to create The Mega Powers.
Hogan was directly involved in Savage's coronation as WWE Champion at WrestleMania 4. The two men then teamed up together in several high-profile contests over the next few months before jealousy emerged. Macho Man was envious of the Hulkster's relationship with Miss Elizabeth, which eventually led to the implosion of the Mega Powers.
After Savage betrayed Hogan, the two superstars met in the main event of WrestleMania 5. Miss Elizabeth was placed in the middle, creating even more drama. Hulk Hogan defeated Macho Man to regain the WWE Title, and their rivalry continued for months later. This implosion felt like a satisfying and memorable payoff for all.
4) The Rockers split up, leading to Shawn Michaels evolving into the Heartbreak Kid in WWE
The Rockers were an innovative tag team that took WWE by storm. With their high-flying acrobatic style, Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty became one of the most popular duos in the company at the time. Many fans wanted them to reach the mountaintop of tag team gold, while others wanted the two to singles glory.
The defining moment came on an edition of Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake's Barber Shop segment. After weeks of friction between the long-time partners, it looked like their issues had been resolved until Michaels super kicked Jannetty. He then proceeded to smash Marty's head into the barber shop window. It is an iconic scene that catapulted the Heartbreak Kid's career.
3) The Shield breaks up to give WWE three new main eventers
The Shield finally fulfilled WWE's promise of building new stars. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose were standouts on the developmental scene before being called up to the main roster to help CM Punk retain his title at Survivor Series 2012.
Over the next year and a half, the three men went on a tear, winning gold and beating the top superstars in the promotion. Following their biggest win over Evolution, Triple H conspired to have Seth Rollins betray his brothers. This shocking moment created three main eventers, with every member going on to win the top prize in the company.
2) The Festival of Friendship delivers one of WWE's most memorable moments with Kevin Owens betraying Chris Jericho
When WWE paired Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho, no one could have imagined how much impact they would have on the promotion. The two men were entertaining on every episode of RAW. Jericho and KO had fantastic chemistry and were the focal points of the entire brand.
Their magic together made their inevitable implosion so bittersweet. After Jericho accepted Goldberg's challenge for a Universal Title Match at Fastlane 2017, Owens was left in a difficult position. Y2J set up "The Festival of Friendship" to ease his friend's stress, showing his love for his tag team partner.
However, the ending to this segment was tragic for Chris Jericho. After a series of hilarious gifts from Jericho, Kevin Owens revealed a present for his friend. KO gave his best friend a new list, but Jericho's name was on it.
The reveal was fantastic and led to a brutal beatdown by Owens, ending with Jericho's head going through the Jeri-Tron 3000. It was all-around epic stuff.
1) DIY goes from the best WWE babyface tag team to a breakup in a shocking fashion
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa both came into NXT under uncertainty. They didn't have a contract and were brought in to give the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic some experienced independent talent. The duo, who would become known as DIY, had never teamed up before, but they showed instant chemistry.
Despite a brief showdown in the Cruiserweight Classic, Ciampa and Gargano won NXT Tag Team gold by defeating The Revival in a tremendous two-out-of-three falls match at TakeOver: Toronto. Their eventual loss of the titles and subsequent failure to regain the gold led to DIY's demise.
Tommaso Ciampa was out of action for several months after an injury and didn't want his partner to go on without him. He pulled the most stunning betrayal in NXT history after failing against the Authors of Pain in a ladder match at TakeOver: Chicago. This led to an iconic feud that helped etch both men into the black and gold brand's Mount Rushmore.
