The Bloodline to win gold, recently returned team to step up after big loss? - 4 potential challengers for the new WWE Tag Team Champions on SmackDown
WWE Friday Night SmackDown was headlined by a big-time championship match. The champions, A-Town Down Under, put their prized belts on the line against DIY. A-Town Down Under is made up of Austin Theory and Grayson Waller while DIY consists of Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
The bout was incredibly entertaining and the Toronto audience was solidly behind DIY. In the end, both Ciampa and Gargano locked in their submission holds at the same time, which led to Theory and Waller tapping out and losing their coveted tag team belts.
Now that Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are the new champions, it is time to consider who their first challengers may be. This article will take a look at a handful of teams who could step up to the new title holders.
Below are four potential challengers for the new WWE Tag Team Champions on SmackDown.
#4. The Street Profits picked up a big win on WWE SmackDown
The Street Profits are a popular team on WWE SmackDown. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, members of The Pride, are former RAW, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team Champions. They've also held the EVOLVE Tag Team Titles.
The duo of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins just had a match on Friday Night SmackDown. The former RAW Tag Team Champions defeated Pretty Deadly in the latter's WWE in-ring return after months of being out of action.
Given that Montez and Angelo just won a big match on Friday Night SmackDown, it would be logical for The Street Profits to be the team that challenges DIY. The only drawback is both teams are babyfaces, but that doesn't mean the bout can't happen.
#3. Legado del Fantasma could step up
Legado del Fantasma is a stable on WWE Friday Night SmackDown. The group is led by Santos Escobar, but also features Elektra Lopez, Berto, and Angel. They're currently feuding with Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews. While in a low-key position right now, the group is a constant threat.
Many wondered what the future would be for Angel and Berto following news that their contracts were expiring this year. In a positive update, the former Angel Garza signed a new three-year deal with WWE, meaning he'll be around for the foreseeable future.
Supposing that Berto does the same, the two Legado del Fantasma members could be the ones to challenge DIY for the gold. They are heels, which means the match makes sense immediately, and the matches the two sides could put on would be fantastic.
#2. Pretty Deadly is back in action
Pretty Deadly has had quite the journey in WWE. The duo of Kit Wilson and Elton Prince joined the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut through NXT UK. They later moved to NXT where they won the brand's Tag Team Titles.
The duo were called up to WWE's main roster last year, but haven't had the best run. They couldn't compete for months due to an injury. Upon returning to TV, they quickly disappeared again until getting back to in-ring action during SmackDown this week. Of course, things didn't quite go how they would have hoped.
While they did lose to The Street Profits, Wilson and Prince are heels, which automatically makes the pair ideal challengers for DIY. Additionally, they put on really good in-ring performances that would play to Ciampa and Gargano's strengths.
#1. The Bloodline could chase after the gold
The Bloodline has been the most dominant faction in the Stamford-based promotion for almost four years now. The stable was started by Roman Reigns and has featured the likes of The Rock, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and Sami Zayn over the past several years.
The current iteration of the group is comprised of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa. Solo has made it clear that he wants the Undisputed WWE Championship. This could mean that other members of the faction might chase after Tag Team Gold.
The most likely candidates are Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. The real-life brothers could step up to DIY. With their power, size, and ruthlessness, Ciampa and Gargano may be outmatched and unable to stop the onslaught of The Bloodline, thus resulting in new champions being crowned again.