The partnership between Big Show and Chris Jericho dominated tag team wrestling throughout the second-half of WWE but it was never meant to be that way. An injury to Edge, Jericho's original championship partner, to find a new partner or forfeit the tag team titles. Enter the seven-foot giant Big Show, who partnered with the sly, crafty, technically sound veteran to form not only a great team but one that could conceivably main event an episode of Raw, SmackDown or even pay-per-view, thanks to the star power involved. It allowed for greater versatility from WWE Creative and created some very entertaining rivalries fans may not have been privy to otherwise. The feud between Jeri-Show and Cryme Tyme in the summer of 2009 was a huge boost for tag team wrestling in that JTG and Shad, exclusively tag wrestlers, were able to work a relatively high profile program against two former heavyweight champions, icons of the industry. They may not have wrestled the titles away from the champs but they learned a great deal from sharing the ring with the stars on a nightly basis. The same can be said for Carlito and Primo and Legacy's Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes, who also worked with the team extensively. Tag team wrestling, thanks to the profile and stature of the champions, received a noticeable jump in importance. In December 2009, the tag titles main evented the inaugural TLC pay-per-view as Jeri-Show made their final defense against Triple H and Shawn Michaels, D-Generation X. It was a huge match that saw the degenerates win the titles and bring Jericho and Show's six-plus month reign to a screeching stop. Jericho and Show would cease their teaming almost immediately afterward. Big Show would move on to team with Miz while Jericho became embroiled in a war or words with Hollywood actor, and Oscar nominee for "The Wrestler," Mickey Rourke.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
