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What's the story?
Tonight's episode of SmackDown Live featured a celebration for the Co-Besties and new SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Shane McMahon and The Miz. Afterward, the Champions sat back to watch a Fatal-4-Way Tag Team Elimination match to determine their new #1 contenders.
In case you didn't know...
After WWE TLC, The McMahons and Triple H revealed some new rules for championship matches. Specifically, automatic rematches for former champions are gone. Now, superstars unfortunate to walk away without their titles are sent to the back of the line.
The Bar was lucky enough to at least be given an opportunity tonight. They joined The Usos, Heavy Machinery, and The New Day in a Fatal-4-Way match to see who would challenge The Miz and Shane McMahon for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at the upcoming PPV, Elimination Chamber.
Early on in the match, the New Day was eliminated by the recently acquired Heavy Machinery. The powerful duo of Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight had a good showing but were ultimately sent packing by The Bar, leaving two of SmackDown's top tag teams battling for another title opportunity.
The heart of the matter
Though they were taken out of the match by Sheamus and Cesaro early on, the Usos made it back inside in time to take on their rivals.
Eventually, they overcame the former champions, earning the right to face Shane McMahon and The Miz for the titles. The Usos will challenge the Co-Besties for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber
What's next?
Though they earned their titles in a hard-fought victory against one of the WWE's most dominant tag teams in recent years, their next defense will put them against a team that put SmackDown Live's tag team division on the map.
The Usos reinvented themselves during the Brand Split and quickly became one of the best teams in the world. If Shane O'Mac and the Awesome One expect to have a lengthy reign, they'll have to figure out the secret to overcoming the assault of The Usos.
