Wrestling Rules: Tag Teams

There is a very special part of WWE that deserves its own stand alone section: Tag Teams. I don't think this is a real wrestling thing but maybe it is...and the rules here are kind of hard to follow. There are what I like to call "official rules" and then "WWE cultural rules". I'm no expert here, but I think these typically apply in most tag team matches so it would be helpful to talk through!

Official Rules

Rule #1: There has to be a partner, but the real number is kind of squishy. So typically tag team matches have two on two but I've also seen three on three or sometimes you have multiple teams of two competing. You just gotta have a partner to be a real tag team so someone that you had slap hands with and do some fun moves and stuff.

Rule #2: One person at a time until a legal "tag" is made (rules of the ring apply, you know like stay in the ring and ropes and stuff). Okay so let's talk a little specifics here. So usually the tag team has one corner they get to stand in and then their partner that is active tags them (typically with a palm smack but sometimes they just like hit them or whatever). Once you tag your partner you then have like some time to do a cool move together (flips or like a team move or whatever). I have no idea how long they get or whatever, I think it is just however long it takes for them to do a cool move and then the non-active person is supposed to leave. There is also this rope thingy in the corner. Apparently they are supposed to hold on to the rope that keeps them in a certain spot and then they tag in and out that way. This is rarely actually used but it is there I guess.

Rule #3: Only an active wrestler of the tag team can make a pin or tap out or whatever it takes to win the match. 

WWE Rules

Rule #1: Tags only happen if a ref pays attention to the tagging. This is a funny little thing because there are usually four people in the match but one ref. So yeah, crazy stuff happens and you know how refs usually are so detail oriented...or not.

Rules #2: Interference is not allowed but hey sometimes stuff happens. So for tag teams interference happens all the time. Randomly people will enter the ring or if someone is getting pinned their little friend will run in and knock that person off. I don't get it, they don't get disqualified so it is weird. They also are allowed to have side fights with other non-active wrestlers. I guess you can just do whatever you want other than pin someone if you aren't the active person. Rules are for losers I guess.

Rules #3: Tag teams can be super random and uneven in numbers. Like you can have two against three, several groups of tag teams, and of course you always get super odd pairings. You would think that being a tag team would require lots of skill and knowledge about how to work all together but apparently anyone can be a tag team if you have a friend. I think that has to do with WWE rule #2 - interference is fun! Often good guys and bad guys all get in a little fight and then they become tag team friends. I don't know, it is weird. It can be fun when two of your favorite wrestlers become tag team friends but they usually don't go for any titles or anything. The best tag teams have signature moves they do together but those are career teams and not these special "hey let's beat up people together because we are friends" teams.

So there you go. Tag teams are cool! I don't know if those career tag team people start out wanting to do it or if they just get assigned. The best ones in my opinion are ones that have a nice gimmick together and matching outfits. You imagine they are besties!