5 Best 'Odd Couple' Tag Teams In Pro Wrestling History

Although Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne are currently separated due to ongoing restrictions, the reigning NXT Tag Team champions are bound to be reunited sooner or later, where their mismatched personalities can once more enthral their fanbase. In WWE's grand tradition of "wacky mismatched partners who manage to succeed in spite of their obvious differences", we can never go too long without employing that trope. Thus, it's cosmic destiny that Riddle and Dunne will get back together before long.

It's hardly an exaggeration to say that the WWE tome of history is filled with one example after another of oil and water being drawn together in the form of an unexpected tag team. Usually (but not always), one member of the team is charming and comical but lacks self-awareness, while the partner, playing it straight, tends to be repulsed by the boorishness of his teammate. And yet, they manage to get on the same page long enough to collectively kick ass.

As we wait for The BroserWeights to find each other once more, let's look at the best mismatched duos in wrestling history.

Although Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne are currently separated due to ongoing restrictions, the reigning NXT Tag Team champions are bound to be reunited sooner or later, where their mismatched personalities can once more enthral their fanbase. In WWE's grand tradition of "wacky mismatched partners who manage to succeed in spite of their obvious differences", we can never go too long without employing that trope. Thus, it's cosmic destiny that Riddle and Dunne will get back together before long.

It's hardly an exaggeration to say that the WWE tome of history is filled with one example after another of oil and water being drawn together in the form of an unexpected tag team. Usually (but not always), one member of the team is charming and comical but lacks self-awareness, while the partner, playing it straight, tends to be repulsed by the boorishness of his teammate. And yet, they manage to get on the same page long enough to collectively kick ass.

As we wait for The BroserWeights to find each other once more, let's look at the best mismatched duos in wrestling history.

5. Cactus Jack & Mikey Whipwreck

A non-WWE entry that managed to hit the comedic zeitgeist, Jack needed a substitute for absent partner Terry Funk in ECW in 1994, and insisted that perpetual loser and pessimist Whipwreck (who he practically dragged kicking and screaming up the aisle) have his back.

Whipwreck dipped in and out of "Cactus, my mom says if I win any more belts, I'm gonna be grounded!", and giving it his all in wild brawls. The glue of the team was Mick Foley's semi-oblivious optimism and cheerfulness, which Whipwreck always responded to with a fearful wince.

4. Steve Austin & Dude Love

Stone Cold was a sworn loner, but he needed a partner to replace previous unlikely ally Shawn Michaels. Mankind campaigned somewhat pathetically for the spot, only to be brutalized by an obstinate Austin every time he threw his hat (or leather mask) into the ring.

When Austin was going it alone with Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith, Foley alter ego Dude Love turned up, paying off the showing of Foley's old home movies on Raw many weeks earlier. Austin was still semi non-committal to Foley, but embraced him long enough for the team to thrive.

3. Team Hell No

This one kinda came out of left field, as Daniel Bryan and Kane each fell off in the weeks and months after WrestleMania 28 in terms of being characters you could take seriously. Those anger management classes ended up being a pleasant surprise in terms of resurrecting the pair.

Inarguably, it was the best use of Kane in way beyond five or six years, while Bryan rehabbed himself in a manner that would serve him very well before long. And all they had to do was yell at each other, while taking turns selling repulsion at the other's attempts at a hug.

2. Booker T & Goldust

Like with the prior example, this was a nifty bit of character rehab. Booker felt like an afterthought ever since he was phased down in the Invasion, while Goldust had nothing new to say in the make-up and bodysuit, the cinematic villainy long behind him.

Then Goldust got weird(er), creeping Booker out with attempts to win him over as a friend and partner. As we soon learned, nobody expresses that incredulous sense of, "Get the hell away from me!" like a disturbed Booker, making for some truly hilarious segments.

1. The Rock 'N' Sock Connection

Will forever be the Michael Jordan of this genre, the unquestioned GOAT that invites viable challengers, but is never ever dethroned. Part of the reason why The Rock and Mankind's unlikely partnership worked was because they used to try and kill one another - the irony was there.

Months after their brutal WWF title matches, Mankind's aloof innocence and The Rock's stone-faced annoyance melded like peanut butter and chocolate. And hey, bonus points here for Mick Foley, who can form a wacky mismatched duo using *any* of the Three Faces.