The B-Team successfully defended their WWE Raw tag team titles this week. What lies ahead for the duo?
The road to SummerSlam continued to take shape in the WWE this week. One of the anticipated matches of the night on WWE Raw was the tag team title match between the B-Team and the Deleters of the World. On paper, Wyatt and Hardy were favorites to win back their titles. They were booked as stronger and credible opponents and were also immensely popular.
However, once again, the B-Team would come out on top to retain their titles. This came by way of a rather ‘fluke’ win with Axel getting a crucifix pin on Hardy. Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas are both incredibly talented and underutilized performers. As such, creative putting the titles on them is always a welcome sight. However, the shelf life of an act where they win every match by a matter of mere luck is rather short to be honest.
In fact, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had lost the titles this week. One can’t shake the fact they were a comedic duo and punching bags to the lead babyface on a weekly basis. No amount of luck can alter that. Creative instead needs to book them as more credible performers. I see changes in their in-ring work in this regard on a weekly basis. The duo is getting more offense in their matches these days. However, the story of the fluke wins has to end at some point.
Now that they are done with the Deleters of the Worlds, other teams are sure to step up to face them. Creative can probably give Axel and Dallas some much-needed momentum by letting them pick up a couple of dominating wins against Heath Slater and Rhyno. But keep in mind that, at this rate, Axel and Dallas will soon be the next Slater and Rhyno – entertaining and popular but underused.
Sooner than later, they will have to step into the ring with teams like The Revival or the Authors of the Pain. These teams have no gimmicks unlike the Deleters of the World; except for delivering some serious beat-downs in the ring. At that point, creative’s approach with the B-Team would probably run its course. They will be taunted to come up with something new or feed Axel and Dallas to one of these two teams.
On the flip side, if the B-Team manages to beat either of these teams by yet another fluke, that will complete the destruction of the Raw tag division, which started at WrestleMania when Braun Strowman single-handedly won the titles. In Revival, you have an established tag team that defeated two of the biggest stars on Monday nights in tag team action. Authors of Pain are closer to being another Ascension on the main roster, than their NXT avatars. Hence, the prospective idea of the present day B-Team retaining against either of them will leave a sour taste.
Next: WWE Raw: 3 Challengers For Dolph Ziggler At SummerSlam
Creative needs to let Axel and Dallas evolve. They represent the top-tier of the tag division as of now and its high time they came to terms with it. They can still celebrate every win like its their first one. But the way those wins pile up has to change. At least half of them needs to come because of their collective efforts.