The WWE Tag Team Championship is the premier tag team prize for the SmackDown brand, representing the pinnacle of duo competition on Friday nights. Originally established in 2016 following the reintroduction of the brand split, the title’s lineage is defined by high-stakes rivalries and record-breaking dominance. In April 2024, the championship underwent a prestigious transformation, receiving a new name and a striking gold plate design that pays homage to the classic “wreath and eagle” aesthetics of the past.

This page tracks the complete history of the “Blue Brand’s” gold, from the crowning of the inaugural champions in 2016 to the chaotic power shifts of the Netflix era.

Key Historical Milestones

• The Inaugural Crown (2016): The title was introduced by Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon on August 23, 2016. Heath Slater and Rhyno became the first-ever champions by winning a tournament final at Backlash, a victory that remains one of the most beloved underdog stories in tag team history.

• The Undisputed Era: For nearly two years (2022–2024), the titles were unified with the Raw Tag Team Championship. This period saw The Usos reach a level of dominance never before seen in the modern era, holding both sets of belts for a record-shattering tenure.

• The 2024 Rebrand: On the April 19, 2024, episode of SmackDown, General Manager Nick Aldis and Triple H retired the “SmackDown Tag Team” name, unveiling the current WWE Tag Team Championship belts to then-champions Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.