Kemo
10-07-2023, 10:23 PM
Former RAW Tag Team Champions, Ivar and Erik, collectively known as The Viking Raiders, have been a dynamic force in WWE's tag team division. However, an injury has sidelined Erik, leaving Ivar in a unique situation.
According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE management has made a decisive move in response to Erik's injury. Instead of the typical approach of putting tag team partners on hiatus when one is injured, they have opted to push Ivar as a singles competitor during Erik's absence on the red brand.
“The decision was made because Ray Rowe [Erik] is out after surgery, said to be for at least six months, is to push Ivar as a singles player. In the past, when one member of a tag team that’s usually an exclusive team gets hurt, they’ve just not used the other much.”
This decision would come as a surprise to many, as it breaks away from the traditional practice of sidelining the healthy partner when an injury occurs. Typically, in such scenarios, the momentum of a tag team tends to stall.
Ivar's solo journey in WWE is uncharted territory for the wrestler, and it's an opportunity for him to showcase his individual skills and character. It's worth noting that Ivar and Erik had returned to Friday Night SmackDown last year with a renewed attitude and a manager, Valhalla, marking their first appearance on WWE's main roster. Subsequently, they were drafted to Monday Night RAW as part of the 2023 WWE Draft.
Erik's injury, which reportedly necessitated surgery and is expected to keep him out of action for at least six months, prompted WWE to rethink their strategy regarding the Viking Raiders.
According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE management has made a decisive move in response to Erik's injury. Instead of the typical approach of putting tag team partners on hiatus when one is injured, they have opted to push Ivar as a singles competitor during Erik's absence on the red brand.
“The decision was made because Ray Rowe [Erik] is out after surgery, said to be for at least six months, is to push Ivar as a singles player. In the past, when one member of a tag team that’s usually an exclusive team gets hurt, they’ve just not used the other much.”
This decision would come as a surprise to many, as it breaks away from the traditional practice of sidelining the healthy partner when an injury occurs. Typically, in such scenarios, the momentum of a tag team tends to stall.
Ivar's solo journey in WWE is uncharted territory for the wrestler, and it's an opportunity for him to showcase his individual skills and character. It's worth noting that Ivar and Erik had returned to Friday Night SmackDown last year with a renewed attitude and a manager, Valhalla, marking their first appearance on WWE's main roster. Subsequently, they were drafted to Monday Night RAW as part of the 2023 WWE Draft.
Erik's injury, which reportedly necessitated surgery and is expected to keep him out of action for at least six months, prompted WWE to rethink their strategy regarding the Viking Raiders.