5 Tag Teams That Were Gone Too Soon

For many years, the tag division was one of the weakest parts of WWE television. Whether the matches were boring and uneventful or the teams themselves were relatively unimpressive, something kept the WWE Universe from connecting with them on Raw or Smackdown.

Over the last few years, however, we have see something of a tag team renaissance in the WWE. Teams like The Usos, The New Day, #DIY and The Revival have carved a new path, and now the tag team division is one the most entertaining aspects of WWE.

There has been some collateral damage along the way, however, as not every tag team has gone the distance. Some saw minimal success, others couldn't even sniff the tag team belts before they were prematurely broken apart. Let's take a look at five tag teams that were split up too soon.

#5 American Alpha

Now, I am not calling the former NXT and Smackdown Tag Team Champions a failure, but you look at the talent both men have and you have to wonder what could have been.

The tandem of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable first started in NXT, where Gable would approach Jordan in backstage segments suggesting that they team up. Jordan would eventually agree, and the two found that they had incredible chemistry.

These two pure athletes won over the crowd with their fiery passion and stellar in-ring performances, riding the wave towards tag team gold both on NXT and Smackdown.

However, things would come to an screeching halt when it was announced that Jason Jordan would be drafted to Raw, thus ending the tag team. Now with it speculated that Jason Jordan may never return to in-ring action, we are all left wondering what heights this young tag team could have reached.

#4 The Wyatt Family

I understand that such an entry on this list may be confusing, as the Wyatt Family had a rather lengthy stint on the WWE roster and could very well unite again. That being said, I would like to be more specific and talk about the Wyatt Family's original line-up.

The trio of Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt broke out onto the NXT scene in 2013 and would quickly establish themselves by winning the tag team titles. Just from looking at them, you could tell this was a stable that would hold up well: two mysterious, eerie, and physically intimidating men led by their maniacal leader who spoke in riddles and wore a evil bearded grin.

The three became quick fan favorites and it wasn't long before vignettes of their impending main roster debut made the rounds, leaving everyone very excited.

After making their debut in the summer of 2013, the Wyatts would have incredible matches with the likes of Team Hell No, The Usos and the Shield. They would challenge for the tag team titles a few times to no avail, but it was very clear that both Rowan and Harper had a promising future as a tag team. Then, the legs were cut from underneath the pair when they were unexpectedly split up in late September, bringing this original line-up to an end.

While the Wyatt Family would eventually come back together in a few different incarnations, and would even win the Smackdown Tag Team Titles, they would not burn quite as brightly as they did in 2013-2014. With such a talented trio in The Shield riding high at this time, it is a shame that this backwoods cult could not see their potential fully realized.

#3 Blake & Murphy

Of the teams on this list, this one may be the most fleeting. Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy were not a tag team for very long and did not see much success initially. Even after scoring a pinfall on then NXT tag champs the Lucha Dragons and taking their titles, there still felt like there was something missing for the two.

However, there would be a huge momentum shift once Alexa Bliss joined them, and they became the top bad guys in NXT for a while. The two of them didn't have the most charisma, but they didn't need it now that they had their feisty manager on their side.

The two would go on to put on some quality matches against the likes of the Lucha Dragons, The Vaudevillains and Enzo & Cass. They were raw, but there was an amazing upside.

However, soon after losing their tag team titles, the group fell to pieces. Alexa Bliss was called up to the main roster in 2016 while Murphy and Blake were taken off of television for a very long time.

Things turned out well for Buddy Murphy as he resurfaced on 205 Live and not only became one of the top performers on the show, but reigns supreme as the Cruiserweight Champion.

Still, the fact that neither Blake nor Murphy ever got the opportunity to grow as a tag team on the main roster is one that I will personally always lament.

#2 Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

It is true what they say: best friends make for the best enemies in wrestling. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are a perfect example of that. Whether they're beating each other's brains in or beating someone else's brains in, they are absolute magic together.

It started even before the WWE, as the two were one of the most beloved tag team in Ring Of Honor history. With Sami's in-ring skill and speed mixed with Kevin's brutish power and a mean streak a mile long, the two would hold ROH tag team gold for over 200 days during their stint.

They would eventually break up (as all tag teams do) and would put on a bloody and memorable feud that would cross over even into the realm of NXT and WWE. But one night, these two former best friends would find their way back to one another.

While it was quite odd to see such hated rivals become such great friends seemingly overnight, those who knew this team's history were excited to see what would become of it. They had natural chemistry together and could work off one another as if they were two brothers. Surely, these two would soon be gunning for the tag team championships at one point or another.

Sadly, injuries kept this team from reaching their full potential. There's still hope for both men as a tandem once they are back and at 100% health, but there's no denying that the timing of their injuries kept the WWE Universe from seeing something truly special.

#1 Enzo and Cass

There is simply one word to describe this team, both as a unit and as individuals: tragic. In NXT, they were the most popular duo on the brand by a large margin. Their merchandise flew off the shelves, their catchphrases were screamed by thousands every single night.

Their matches with the likes of The Revival and The Vaudevillains weren't masterpieces, but they garnered sympathy and everyone wanted to see them win. Unfortunately, they were unable to obtain tag team gold in NXT. However, these two were bonafide stars and surely had a long and bright future on the main roster.

Upon debuting in 2016, their ascension towards stardom continued. The height of their success came when they were involved in a ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 33.

Soon after, the two were split up and put into a feud that simply did not hit its mark. Big Cass got hurt, but Enzo Amore saw some success as a singles star but was ultimately fired after rape allegations came up.

Cass returned from injury, but the combination of his shoddy in-ring work and his terrible attitude backstage also led to him getting fired. What was once a pair of two white-hot supernovas was soon burnt out.

Here's the thing: Enzo and Cass complemented each other. Cass didn't have the mic skills, but Enzo did. Enzo didn't have the size or in-ring ability, but Cass did. They were much stronger together, so as soon as they were split up, it was only a matter of time before both men would see their stars fade.

Now (for one reason or another), both men are no longer even in the WWE and fans are all left to moun what should have been a stellar career for these two.

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Edited by Gabby Duran