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At WrestleMania 35, the unthinkable happened when Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder became the RAW Tag Team Champions, ending their losing streak. It was a great feel-good moment and one wondered what the future held for these two popular stars.
Over the course of time, it became clear that they were an afterthought with regard to the larger picture. I mean you had The Revival and The Usos compete in a tag team match at WWE Super ShowDown, while the Tag Team Champions were just a part of the battle royal.
And this week on WWE RAW, we saw The Revival crowned as the brand new RAW Tag Team Champions much to the delight of the WWE Universe. Even though they are heels, the crowd, especially the 'smart marks' seem to love them.
But why were the titles put around their waist? I shall try and answer the question in this very article.
#5 Nobody took Ryder and Hawkins seriously as the Tag Team Champions
Honestly, I'm surprised that Ryder and Hawkins got to be Champions for as long as they did. I had assumed that a team like the AoP or even The Viking Raiders would end up capturing the RAW Tag Team Championships some time ago. I would go as far as to wonder if Vince McMahon even forgot that these two gentlemen were the Champions.
With all due respect to Ryder and Hawkins, they have been portrayed as enhancement talent and therefore, there is no reason at all to think of them as anything else. Of course, they are good in the ring, but so is the rest of the WWE roster. Their story was told at WrestleMania.
There's no second chapter in their story. The story ended long, long ago.
See WWE RAW Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE RAW Results page.
#4 To keep the 'smart marks' happy after WWE Super ShowDown
WWE Super ShowDown was a disaster on many fronts, especially if you consider the Goldberg vs. Undertaker main event. Not only was the match botch-heavy, it soured the fan experience for the WWE Universe after they were promised that Super ShowDown would be as big as, if not even bigger than WrestleMania.
If you glanced at Twitter following the show, you'd have noticed that a great bunch of people happened to post that they were cancelling their WWE subscriptions following the show. This is because they believe that WWE is straying from the elements of professional wrestling that they love so dearly. But by putting the titles on The Revival, this issue can certainly be remedied.
The Revival is the favourite tag team of this extremely vocal minority. By making them the Tag Team Champions, this group may change their viewpoint towards WWE.
#3 To keep them from quitting the company
I've had a chance to interact with Scott Dawson for Sportskeeda and he's as emotional and passionate a man as you'll ever find in the sports entertainment business. During my interview, he made it clear that he isn't a fan of goofy stuff, like Braun Strowman and Nicholas becoming tag team Champions.
It is no secret that once upon a time, The Revival did want to quit the company. Dash and Dawson are the kind of individuals who would thrive in the independents, where they don't have to partake in silly skits like they have to, on RAW.
It doesn't even have to be AEW for them to have a great run, in my honest opinion. The Revival love wrestling and they could even thrive in a setup like Impact Wrestling, feuding with the likes of say, LAX.
By making them Champions, WWE keeps them loyal.
#2 To be part of Shane McMahon's brand new faction
Shane McMahon came out to the ring to celebrate his big win over Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by Drew McIntyre, who's like the Diesel to his Michaels. Also, The Revival came in to join the festivities further into the segment.
It is clear that Shane McMahon is forming a heel faction and The Revival are very much a part of the same. I'd be intrigued to see what the future holds for this group, as The Revival has not been a part of a high-profile feud for some time. I really wonder if Roman Reigns will team up with The Usos to even the odds, down the line.
I wonder if Shane McMahon will assume the role of a heel faction leader that his father and brother in law made so famous. He could thrive in the role.
#1 To be WWE's answer to The Young Bucks
One day in the future, The Revival will face off against The Young Bucks and it is guaranteed to be the greatest tag team match in the history of the business. However, at this point in time, The Revival and The Young Bucks are the best tag teams in their respective promotions.
Because of all the hype and the hoopla that came from the match between The Lucha Brothers and The Young Bucks at AEW Double or Nothing, WWE will want to rebuild their tag team division too. I mean they've always had the talent, they just haven't had the spots for them.
Could The Revival and The Usos rebuild the division so that it's on par with All Elite Wrestling? If they're allowed to be themselves, they certainly could.
I honestly do hope that WWE takes the fight to AEW by putting on some great matches.
