10 Best Wrestling Tag Teams Of 2018

4. Golden Lovers

Tyler Bate Undisputed Era
NJPW

The Golden Lovers reunification was one of New Japan Pro Wrestling's most cathartic highlights in 2018, but their actual matches have been even more satisfying. Though rusty at first (perhaps partly by design), the pair eventually shook off a couple of early high profile flubs to engage in some of the finest doubles contests in recent memory.

Clashes against The Young Bucks and Will Ospreay and Tomohiro Ishii were futuristic and exhilarating, whilst a battle against then-Bullet Club rivals Hangman Page and Cody Rhodes was just one of many moments the latter pair looked on a workrate level with their 'Being The Elite' colleagues.

Sadly, time may already be running out on their reunion. Assuming Omega and co don't leave New Japan Pro Wrestling at any point in 2019, Kenny's current feud with Hiroshi Tanahashi may tear their golden love apart, again. Ibushi's own emotions are unclear, though what 'The Ace' believes about NJPW's ethos may jive closer to 'The Golden Star's emotions than 'The Cleaner's current confidence and cockiness.

A lone criticism of the pair is the same one currently being levied at 'The Best Bout Machine' in general - absence. Hearts have grown frustrated rather than fonder, and a little more of what the fanbase fancies would have been appreciated from the two following their evocative evolution.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett