20 WWE Ruthless Aggression Era Tag Teams You've Already Forgotten
2. The Spirit Squad
The Spirit Squad is probably the most successful and best-remembered team on this list, and not without good reason. They drew legitimate heat and spent very little time in WWE's depleted tag ranks. Instead, rather like the Shield, they feuded largely with main event talents. They won the tag titles from Kane and Big Show very early in their run, and even closed out a pay-per-view against D-Generation X.
Spirit Squad matches were actually rather interesting, because each member had a unique style, and the team operated on the Freebird Rule. Opponents, and indeed fans, never knew what combination would defend on a given night. Johnny, for example, favored acrobatic kick-based offense, while Nicky kept opponents grounded and Kenny was closest to the prototypical WWE style.
Ultimately, following a seven month championship reign, they'd be placed in a crate and literally shipped back to developmental. Of the five, only one -- Nicky -- would return to the main roster.
Today They'd Be: Wondering why Nicky looks so orange and leathery.