Why Are There 2 WWE Tag Team Belts?By Coder| September 27, 2023 Wrestling Blogs Have you ever wondered why there are two WWE Tag Team belts? This is a question that has puzzled many wrestling fans over the years. In this article, we will delve into the history of the WWE Tag Team Championship and explore the reasons behind the existence of two belts. The Evolution of Tag Team Wrestling Tag team wrestling has been a part of professional wrestling for decades. It allows for an exciting dynamic where two wrestlers team up to take on another duo in the ring. The concept of tag team wrestling gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, with legendary teams like The Fabulous Kangaroos and The Minnesota Wrecking Crew. As tag team wrestling grew in popularity, promotions started introducing tag team championships to recognize and reward successful teams. These championships added a new layer of competition to the world of professional wrestling. The Birth of WWE Tag Team Championship In 1971, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which later became WWE, introduced its own tag team championship. This was known as the WWWF Tag Team Championship. The inaugural champions were Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler. In 2002, WWE underwent a brand extension, splitting its roster into two separate brands – Raw and SmackDown. This led to the creation of additional championships to represent each brand’s tag team division. WWE Raw Tag Team Championship The WWE Raw Tag Team Championship was introduced in 2002 as one of the newly created titles during the brand extension. This championship is exclusive to wrestlers from the Raw brand. Bold Teams: Throughout its history, this championship has been contested by numerous legendary teams such as The Hardy Boyz, The Dudley Boyz, and The Shield. List of Champions: Over the years, there have been several memorable title reigns, with teams like Edge and Christian, The New Day, and The Usos etching their names into the history books. WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship was introduced in 2002 alongside the Raw counterpart. This championship is exclusive to wrestlers from the SmackDown brand. Bold Teams: Many legendary tag teams have vied for this championship, including The Usos, The Hardy Boyz, and The New Day. List of Champions: Over the years, there have been notable title reigns by teams like Edge and Rey Mysterio, The Hart Dynasty, and American Alpha. The Reason Behind Two Belts The decision to have two separate tag team championships in WWE was primarily driven by the brand extension. By having distinct championships for each brand, WWE could create unique storylines and rivalries within their tag team divisions. Additionally, having two belts allows for more opportunities for tag teams to shine. With separate championships on each brand, more teams can compete for a prestigious title and showcase their skills in the ring. The existence of two WWE Tag Team Championships also adds another layer of excitement during cross-brand events. When Raw and SmackDown Superstars face off against each other, they have an opportunity to represent their respective brands by competing for their specific tag team championship. In Conclusion The presence of two WWE Tag Team Championships is a result of the brand extension that took place in 2002. It allows for a greater emphasis on tag team wrestling within each brand and provides more opportunities for teams to showcase their talents. Whether it’s the Raw Tag Team Championship or the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, both titles hold significant prestige in the world of professional wrestling. So, the next time you tune in to a WWE event and see two tag team belts on the line, you’ll know why they are there!
