Top 50 Tag Team Break Ups

Cryme Tyme

JTG & Shad Gaspard began teaming in 2006, first in OVW and later in WWE. They were a constant on WWE programming until the dark match battle royale at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, when JTG eliminated Shad. This caused Shad to retaliate after a match on SmackDown, ending the alliance (at least in WWE).

It's as common a theme in professional wrestling as having the champion lose in a non-title match, holding the trunks for a pinfall and the presence of a heel authority figure.

Two tag team partners are portrayed as the best of friends, constantly at each other's sides. Then, the dissention begins. Sometimes there's ample warning, such as disagreements backstage or in the ring. Sometimes you never see it coming. But more often than not - it happens. Hey - it's happening right now with not only Gold & Stardust, but The Miz and Damien Mizdow as well!

In counting down the Top 50 Tag Team Break Ups, Canadian Bulldog's World looked at the following criteria:

How long has the tag team been around?
How memorable and impactful was the split?
Did at least one member benefit from the break up?

To be somewhat more inclusive, we're not limiting this list to permanent tag teams (e.g. Demolition). It can people who have teamed up for some time and in major situations. Trios count for this list, although factions (groups of four or more) don't because a group that large can still survive post-break up.

Whether you agree or disagree in any of the picks, make sure to have a say! Leave a comment below or on Twitter using the hashtag #Top50

Ready? Here we go!

James Storm & Gunner began teaming in TNA in mid-2013 and immediately managed to capture the Tag Team Championships in a four-team match. They stayed together after dropping the belts, but dissention began to form the following year over Gunner cashing in his Feast of Fired briefcase.

James Storm & Gunner

Booker T & Stevie Ray, brothers who began teaming in 1992, captured the WCW Tag Team Titles a record 10 times before they split. In 1999, Ray got frustrated with team manager Midnight (whom Booker defended) and eventually quit the team. Ray then teamed with Big T (Ahmed Johnson) and feuded with Booker.

Any picks missing or misplaced? Leave your feedback in the Comments section below...

Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake actually began teaming as far as 1977 when the two were billed as brothers, and most memorably teamed in the main event of WWF's SummerSlam '89. When Hogan went to WCW in 1994, Beefcake folllowed him in and later turned out to be a masked assailant trying to injure The Hulkster.

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John Morrison & The Miz began teaming in (the WWE version of) ECW in 2007 and captured the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Matt Hardy and MVP. They remained together until 2009, when Miz was drafted to Raw as the result of the team losing a stipulation. Afterwards, Miz ambushed his partner.

John Morrison & The Miz

Greg "The Hammer" Valentine & Brutus Beefcake were formed in 1985 and captured the WWF Tag Team Championship together. By 1987, Beefcake was upset that a third member (Dino Bravo) was added to their group. Instead, Beefcake was kicked out of the group following a match at WrestleMania 3.

Christopher Daniels & AJ Styles teamed up since the early days of TNA in 2002, and are such good friends outside of the ring that their children are named after each other! However, Daniels's interference in a match between AJ and Christian Cage in 2006 caused the former TNA Tag Team Champs to break up.

Christopher Daniels & AJ Styles

Road Dogg & Billy Gunn were put together almost by accident in 1997 but went on to capture the WWF Tag Team Titles numerous times. By April 1999, the two split after losing a match to Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart, although they would reunite later that year, and again in TNA and WWE, where they still compete.

The New Age Outlaws

Although Brie & Nikki Bella have been together their entire life, they began as a tag team in 2007, first in FCW and then WWE. Last year, they finally came to blows at SummerSlam when Nikki cost Brie her match against Stephanie McMahon. The feud itself was quite terrible, and the two are back together now.

The Bella Twins

A very different "twin" team, Akeem & The Big Bossman began teaming in the WWF in 1988. Together, they made life miserable for teams such as The Megapowers and Demolition. When Bossman turned babyface in early 1990, Akeem didn't follow suit, and the two behemoths did battle at WrestleMania 6.

The Twin Towers

Ted DiBiase & Hacksaw Jim Duggan were best friends in the mid-1980's as part of The Rat Pack with Matt Bourne. When the trio dissolved, Duggan turned babyface, yet he and DiBiase peacefully coexisted for a while. Then, as Duggan was feuding with Gen. Skandor Akbar, DiBiase decided to turn on Hacksaw.

Ted DiBiase & Hacksaw Jim Duggan

While Ted DiBiase & Virgil weren't considered a permanent tag team, they were often seen together upon debuting in the WWF in 1987 and did team up on occasion. The partnership ended in 1991 when the bodyguard was tired of always doing DiBiase's bidding, with the two clashing at WrestleMania 7.

Ted DiBiase & Virgil

Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake

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Kane & Rob Van Dam formed an unlikely duo in 2002 and by the following year, they captured the World Tag Team Championships, even getting a rare win over The Legion of Doom. By late-2003, Kane was forced to unmask after losing to Triple H, and took out his frustration on RVD, effectively ending the team.

Kane & Rob Van Dam

Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid were cousins who began teaming in Stampede Wrestling in 1984. They captured the WWF Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 2 and held the belts for nearly a year, eventually returning to Stampede in 1988. Dynamite soon turned on Davey Boy, beginning a Bulldogs feud.

The British Bulldogs

Darren Young & Titus O' Neil began teaming in NXT in 2012 and eventually made it to WWE's main roster, where their act got over and they challenged for the Tag Team Championships. Following a loss to Ryback and Curtis Axel in 2014, O'Neil blamed Young for holding him back all this time and attacked him.

The Prime Time Players

Hawk & Animal began teaming in 1982 and were one of wrestling's most famous duos. After capturing every tag team belt imaginable, the Legion of Doom turned into a trio in 1998, adding Darren Drozdov. Droz convinced Animal to ease Hawk out of the picture, leading to a break break up and eventual reconciliation.

The Road Warriors

Kane & X-Pac began teaming after X-Pac defected from D-Generation X and The Big Red Machine first turned face. The unlikely pairing captured the WWF Tag Team Championship twice in 1999. But soon thereafter, DX reformed and instead of helping Kane get into the faction, X-Pac turned on him and stole his girlfriend!

Kane & X-Pac

Harlem Heat

Billy & Bart Gunn began teaming in the WWF in 1993 and the storyline brothers captured the WWF Tag Team Championship three times. Following their final run at the top in 1996, the Gunns' new manager Sunny abandoned the pair and the cowboys feuded with each other over which was to blame for losing her.

The Smokin' Gunns

The Rock & Mankind were polar opposites, yet teamed in the WWF and captured the Tag Team Championships three times. By the end of 1999, Mankind was tired of Rock berating him and sat out a title match in which they lost the belts to Bob & Crash Holly. It turned out to be a plot by Al Snow to break the duo up.

The Rock 'n' Sock Connection

The Rock 'n' Roll Express

Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson began teaming in 1983 and - amazingly - still wrestle to some degree today. But in 1991, after four pairs of NWA Tag Team Championships, the two were challenging Doom when Morton turned on Gibson. He had sold out and signed with Alexandra York's York Foundation.

Chris Jericho & The Big Show began teaming in 2009, when Jericho needed a partner to defend his WWE Tag Team Championships with (after Edge was out injured). The two headlined many shows together until Jericho was forced off of Raw, at which point he began insulting Big Show and the two came to blows.

Jeri-Show

Tommy Dreamer & Raven was a partnership that was destined to fail, mainly because they have feuded violently for years in ECW. But one night in 1999, Raven came to Dreamer's aid and helped him capture the ECW Tag Team Titles. Their "team" soon dissolved, only for them to team and break up again in TNA.

Tommy Dreamer & Raven

Triple H & Ric Flair weren't your typical tag team - they were mentor and student and stablemates in Evolution - but were still viewed as a solid duo. When HHH returned to WWE Raw in 2005, his first match was pairing with Flair, violently turning on and then brutalizing Nature Boy after the match.

Triple H & Ric Flair

Robert Roode & James Storm began teaming in 2008 and captured the TNA Tag Team Championship four times. The two remained friends as they pursuing the TNA Championship, which Storm captured in October 2011. His reign was ended weeks later by Roode, who won the belt by hitting Storm with a beer bottle.

Beer Money

Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri began teaming in 2003, the result of Eddie's nephew Chavo Guerrero being injured. The duo captured the WWE Tag Team Championships and held them for about a month, after which Eddie dumped Tajiri.... right through the windshield of his low-rider car!

Eddie Guerrero & Tajiri

Sting & Ric Flair have been rivals throughout their careers, although every time they've teamed up, Flair has turned on him. The one pure "tag team" instance where this happened was at Hallowe'en Havoc 1995. Flair and Sting were facing Brian Pillman and Arn Anderson -- Flair once again turned on The Stinger.

Sting & Ric Flair

Kevin Steen & El Generico were best friends in ROH, so when Steen was allegedly announcing his retirement in 2009, he called Generico to the ring before low-blowing and attacking him with a chair. History repeats itself: Steen (now Kevin Owens) turned on Generico (now Sami Zayn) last year in NXT!

Kevin Steen & El Generico

When Dustin Rhodes & Barry Windham first captured the NWA and WCW Tag Team Titles in 1992, Windham strangely walked off with all four title belts. About two months later, Rhodes refused to capitalize on an accidental low-blow of opponent Ricky Steamboat, causing Windham to get frustrated and turn heel.

Dustin Rhodes & Barry Windham

Chris Harris & James Storm began teaming in TNA in 2002 and as AMW, captured the TNA Tag Team Titles six times. In 2006, the duo was feuding with The Latin American Xchange and were in a "losing team must split" match, facilitated by Storm when he hit Harris with a beer bottle (ironic - see # 27).

America's Most Wanted

Christian and Chris Jericho began teaming in 2003 and captured the World Tag Team Championship together. By 2004, they'd developed a (one dollar) bet to see if they could sleep with Trish Stratus and Lita, respectively. They split when Jericho developed feelings for Stratus - whom ended up siding with Christian!

Christian & Chris Jericho

Stunning Steve Austin & Brian Pillman began teaming in 1993 and captured the WCW Tag Team Championship. Shortly after losing the belts, manager Col. Rob Parker convinced Austin that he needed to be a star on his own (if only he knew!) and as a result, Austin turned on Pillman and the two briefly feuded.

The Hollywood Blondes

Batista & Rey Mysterio had been tag team partners and best friends since 2005 and even captured the WWE Tag Team Championship at one point. But in 2009, the two were competing in a Fatal Four Way match and Batista became angry that Mysterio kept "backstabbing" him and delivered a lethal clothesline to Rey.

Batista & Rey Mysterio

Ron Simmons & Butch Reed began teaming in 1989 and captured the WCW Tag Team Championships. Although they were eventually unmasked, the team continued together until 1991, when miscommunication cost them a match against The Fabulous Freebirds, at which point Reed turned on Simmons.

Doom

Rick & Scott Steiner began teaming in 1989 and collected the NWA/WCW, WWF and IWGP Tag Team Championships. In 1998, the brothers were chasing the nWo's Kevin Nash and Scott Hall when Scott suddenly attacked his brother, transforming from collegiate grappler to the evil Big Poppa Pump.

Rick & Scott Steiner

In 2005, longtime friends Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio teamed up and soon captured the WWE Tag Team Championship. A friendly rivalry led to a match between them at WrestleMania 21, and shortly thereafter the two dropped the belts to MNM. Soon thereafter, Guerrero turned on Mysterio out of frustration.

Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio

Sting and Lex Luger began teaming up in 1988 and captured The Crockett Cup and WCW Tag Team Championship. While their team wasn't really permanent, they always got along fine until 1996 when Luger accused Sting of joining the nWo. Sting claimed innocence but ultimately dissolved the team.

Sting & Lex Luger

Rick Martel & Tito Santana first teamed in 1982 but became a permanent duo five years later, capturing the WWF Tag Team Championship. Martel was injured for almost a year and reunited with Santana at WrestleMania 5. A miscommunication during that match led to Martel abandoning his partner.

Strike Force

Shawn Michaels brought Diesel into the WWF as his bodyguard in 1993 and soon the two captured the WWF Tag Team Championships. At the Survivor Series in 1994, Diesel was accidentally superkicked by Michaels and rebelled against his former employer, leading to a big match between the two at WrestleMania 11.

Shawn Michaels & Diesel

Owen Hart began teasing dissention with his older brother Bret Hart at the Survivor Series in 1993 after a miscommunication led to Owen being pinned. They put aside their differences until the 1994 Royal Rumble, in which Owen kicked Bret in the leg, costing them their shot at the WWF Tag Team titles.

Bret & Owen Hart

Bully Ray & Brother Devon began teaming in 1996 and have captured tag team gold in ECW, WWF, WCW, NWA, IWGP and TNA. In 2009 (23 tag team belts later), the two were beginning to tease dissention and during their "retirement" ceremony in TNA, Bully Ray turned on his half-brother, igniting a feud.

Team 3D

Eddie & Chavo Guerrero began teaming in 1998 in WCW and took their act to WWE, which led to the WWE Tag Team Titles in 2002. But after Los Guerreros dropped the titles to The Basham Brothers, infighting between the uncle and his nephew began and ended with Chavo turning on Eddie.

The Outsiders

Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff became frequent tag team partners after WrestleMania 1, but Bobby Heenan planted the seed that Orndorff was "Hulk Jr." and that he couldn't trust The Hulkster. Orndorff eventually attacked Hogan in 1986 at the conclusion of a match against King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd.

Hulk Hogan & Paul Orndorff

Scott Hall & Kevin Nash defected together from the WWF to WCW in 1996 and were the cornerstone of the nWo. By 1998, The Outsiders had gone from nWo Hollywood to nWo Wolfpac, when Hall attacked Nash out of nowhere. Hall explained Nash was trying to lead the Wolfpac, so he defected to Hollywood.

Los Guerreros

Although Triple H & Shawn Michaels have reunited several times since their initial grouping in 1997, the tag team break up in question happened in 2002 after HHH signed with Raw. Teasing a DX reunion, The Game instead kicked and pedigreed Michaels in the ring, signaling that it was Game Over.

D-Generation X

Lex Luger & Barry Windham began teaming in 1987 and enjoyed some success as a team, including dethroning NWA Tag Teams Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. However, the duo lost the belts back to Anderon & Blanchard a few weeks later when Windham turned on Luger during the match. Windham, it was revealed, had joined Anderson & Blanchard in The Four Horsemen -- the same faction that once had Luger among its ranks.

Lex Luger & Barry Windham

This one is quite recent and one of the few trios to make this list. Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns had been teaming since 2012. A few months into their run as faces, the Triple H-led Authority was determined to harm the team. When his Evolution trio couldn't get the job done, Triple H revealed his "Plan B", which was to have Rollins ambush his former teammates with a steel chair and join The Authority.

The Shield

Matt & Jeff Hardy began teaming in 1993 and have captured the WWF and WCW Tag Team Titles. While they had a brief split in 2001 (and a match against one another), the feud was quickly reconciled and they teamed again. But when Jeff captured the WWE Championship in 2008, he was plagued by a series of freak accidents and mishaps. Turns out they were orchestrated by Matt, who ambushed his brother at the 2009 Royal Rumble.

Matt & Jeff Hardy

Edge & Christian - real-life best friends and brothers in storyline - began teaming in 1990 and captured the WWF Tag Team Championship a record seven times. Dissention between the two began brewing after Edge won the King of the Ring in mid-2001. After teasing a break up, they put their differences aside for a while... until Christian ambushed Edge in their hometown of Toronto with a series of chair shots and conchairtos.

Edge and Christian

Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage formed in late-1987 and competed against major teams such as Ted DiBiase & Andre The Giant and The Twin Towers. Savage captured the WWF World Championship in 1988 and grew increasingly paranoid of the relationship between Hogan and his manager Miss Elizabeth. Finally, during a match in early 1989, Savage turned on Hogan and attacked him backstage, claiming Hulk "lusted" for Elizabeth.

The Megapowers

The Rockers

The Dream Team

Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty began teaming in 1985, capturing the AWA Tag Team Championship and contending for the WWF versions. By 1991, the two were ready to split (both in real life and storyline). For weeks, tension was teased between the two and led to the most famous tag team break up of all time. On an edition of Brutus Beefcake's Barber Shop talk show that aired in early 1992, Michaels and Jannetty attempted to talk out their greivances. By the end of the segment, the two had reconciled and raised each other's arms.... until Michaels hit Jannetty with a superkick and threw him through the window of Beefcake's talk show set.