Who Unified the WWE Tag Team Championship?

The WWE Tag Team Championship has a long and storied history, with numerous teams vying for the prestigious title. Throughout the years, the championship has seen various changes in its format and rules. One such significant change was the unification of the WWE Tag Team Championship, which brought together two separate titles into one.

The Origins of the WWE Tag Team Championship

The WWE Tag Team Championship was first introduced in 1971 under a different name – the “World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) International Tag Team Championship.” The inaugural champions were Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler, who defeated Dick Beyer and Bruno Sammartino to claim the titles.

In 2002, after several rebrandings and changes in ownership, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was born. With this rebranding came a new version of the tag team championship – the “WWE Tag Team Championship.”

The Brand Split

From 2002 to 2010, WWE had two separate brands: Raw and SmackDown. Each brand had its own set of championships, including tag team titles.

Raw had its own version of the WWE Tag Team Championship, while SmackDown introduced its own tag team titles – known as the “WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship. “

This brand split allowed for unique storylines and rivalries to develop on both shows. It also created opportunities for different teams to shine on their respective brands.

The Unification

In August 2010, WWE made an announcement that would forever change the landscape of tag team wrestling – they decided to unify both versions of the WWE Tag Team Championships.

A tournament was held to determine new champions, with teams from both Raw and SmackDown competing against each other. The finals took place at the Night of Champions pay-per-view event on September 19, 2010.

Team Hell No, consisting of Kane and Daniel Bryan, representing SmackDown, faced off against The Hart Dynasty, consisting of David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd, representing Raw.

The match was intense and showcased the incredible skills of all four competitors. In the end, it was Team Hell No who emerged victorious, becoming the unified WWE Tag Team Champions.

The Legacy of the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship

The unification of the WWE Tag Team Championship brought about several changes. Firstly, it meant that there was now only one set of tag team titles in WWE. This allowed for more cross-brand storylines and matchups, as teams from both Raw and SmackDown could compete for the same championship.

The unified championship also elevated the prestige of holding the titles. Teams had to work harder to earn a shot at becoming champions, as they had to compete against talent from both brands.

Notable Champions

Since its unification in 2010, many legendary tag teams have held the unified WWE Tag Team Championship. The likes of The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns), The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods), The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso), and The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) have all held the prestigious titles.

Conclusion

The unification of the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2010 brought together two separate titles into one, creating a more competitive landscape for tag team wrestling. Teams from both Raw and SmackDown now had an opportunity to compete for the unified championship, leading to memorable matches and unforgettable moments.

Over the years, several legendary teams have held the unified WWE Tag Team Championship, further solidifying its status as one of the most prestigious titles in professional wrestling.