What’s the story?
WWE is running a poll on their website, WWE.com, where they are asking the question, “Which former Tag Team Champions would you most like to see return?” Currently leading the poll are Batista & Rey Mysterio.
The Background
The two former World Champions teamed up briefly towards the end of 2005, where they held the Tag Team Championships for just two weeks. Batista and Mysterio bonded in and out of the ring after the death of their mutual friend and colleague, Eddie Guerrero.
This led to them teaming up in a brief feud against Big Show and Kane, which also coincided with them winning the titles from MNM on an episode of Smackdown, in a match they both dedicated to the late Guerrero.
Although it was only a brief run with the Championships, it was a memorable moment and a nice tribute to ‘Latino Heat’.
The heart of the matter
As for the WWE poll, at the time of writing, Batista & Mysterio are clearly leading with 38% of the vote. The rest of the field trail with Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas on 25%, The Dudley Boyz on 19%, The New Age Outlaws on 10%, Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov on 5% and La Resistance on 2%.
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It remains to be seen whether this poll will have any bearing on future plans for WWE, but if this vote is anything to go by, the WWE Universe would love to see ‘The Animal’ and “The Master of the 619’ team up once again on either Raw or SmackDown LIVE
What’s next?
Although this is clearly what the fans want from the options given, I think it’s highly unlikely that the duo will return. Batista’s acting career has taken off over the last couple of years and after admitting that he was disappointed with his 2014 run with the company, it appears that he has no interest in returning to pro-wrestling anytime soon.
As for Rey, he is still active in the industry, most notably as part of Lucha Underground’s current roster, and could possibly return for one more run with the company. However, I very much doubt it’ll be with his former tag team partner.
Author’s take
I think it’s interesting to note the other teams mentioned in this poll. It’s possible that WWE is putting out feelers to see if the fans would like to see another run for veteran teams like The Dudley Boyz or The New Age Outlaws.
Or perhaps Shelton Benjamin, who was set to join Smackdown Live after the initial brand split last year before being sidelined by injury, could be returning and bringing Charlie Haas back with him to reform the World’s Greatest Tag Team.
WWE’s tag team division could certainly do with a boost, and after The Hardy Boyz recent return at WrestleMania, anything is possible. However, as I mentioned earlier, I highly doubt that the current leaders of the poll, Batista & Rey Mysterio, will be teaming up in WWE anytime soon.
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