{{short description|Professional wrestling tag team}} {{redirect|War Machine (professional wrestling)|another wrestler|Big Boss Man}} {{Infobox Wrestling team | article_name = <!-- THIS MUST MATCH ARTICLE TITLE -->War Raiders | type = T | image = War Machine 2017.jpg | caption = Erik (left) and Ivar (right) in January 2017 | members = [[Ivar (wrestler)|Hanson / '''Ivar''']]<br /> [[Erik (wrestler)|Raymond Rowe / Rowe / '''Erik''']] |former_members =[[Sarah Logan|Sarah Logan/Valhalla]] ([[Manager (professional wrestling)|valet]]) | names = The Viking Experience<br />The Viking Raiders<br />War Machine<ref name=ROHsign>{{cite web|url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/hanson-rowe-sign-roh|title=News - ROH Wrestling|website=www.rohwrestling.com}}</ref><br />'''War Raiders'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-live-coverage-42319-johnny-gargano-vs-roderick-strong-street-profits-vs-war-raiders/page/0/1 |title=WWE NXT Results for 4/23/19 Johnny Gargano vs Roderick Strong, Street Profits vs War Raiders • Page 2 | Fightful Wrestling |access-date=2019-04-25 |archive-date=2019-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425010810/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-live-coverage-42319-johnny-gargano-vs-roderick-strong-street-profits-vs-war-raiders/page/0/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | heights ={{height|foot=6|inch=2}} – Hanson/Ivar <br />{{height|foot=6|inch=1}} – Rowe/Erik | weights ={{convert|597|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | debut = February 22, 2014 | years_active = 2014–present }}
<!-- DO NOT CHANGE, THIS MUST MATCH ARTICLE TITLE -->The '''War Raiders''' are an American [[professional wrestling]] tag team consisting of [[Erik (wrestler)|Erik]] and [[Ivar (wrestler)|Ivar]]. They are signed to [[WWE]], where they perform on the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]] and are former two-time [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. They also perform on WWE sister promotion [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]] (AAA), where they are the current [[AAA World Tag Team Championship|AAA World Tag Team Champions]] in their first reign.
Rowe and Smith were earlier known as '''War Machine''' as Rowe worked with his real name, while Smith worked as Hanson. They're known for working in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW) and [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH), where they won the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] and the [[ROH World Tag Team Championship]]. Outside of Ring of Honor, they have also worked for many independent promotions in the United Kingdom and United States, including [[Insane Championship Wrestling]] (ICW), [[Revolution Pro Wrestling]] (RPW), [[Progress Wrestling]] (Progress) and [[Pro Wrestling Guerrilla]] (PWG). War Machine have also competed in Japan for [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] (Noah). They signed with WWE in 2018 as '''War Raiders''' and began performing on the [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] brand where they won the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]] [[List of NXT Tag Team Champions|once]]. In April 2019, they were drafted to WWE's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]], briefly under the name '''The Viking Experience''', as Erik (Rowe) and Ivar (Hanson), before being renamed '''The Viking Raiders'''.<ref name="NOTaJoke">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Steve |title=WWE Raw results: The Superstar Shake-up begins |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-results/wwe-raw-live-results-superstar-shake-begins-281636 |website=f4wonline.com |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=16 April 2019|quote=War Raiders are now The Viking Experience. They've also been given new individual names: Erik (Rowe) and... Ivar (Hanson).}}</ref>
==History== {{Professional wrestling sidebar}} ===Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2014–2018)=== In 2014, Hanson and Rowe participated in the [[ROH Top Prospect Tournament|Top Prospect Tournament]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/2014-top-prospect-tournament-6 |title=2014 Top Prospect Tournament: Participant #8 |author=Ring Of Honor |date=2013-12-16 |publisher=Ring Of Honor}}</ref> where they met in the finals. Hanson defeated Rowe to win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=101187 |title=ROH Wrestling's Finest |author=CageMatch |date=2014-01-25 |publisher=CageMatch}}</ref> Afterwards, they formed a tag team under the name War Machine. On April 11, Hanson and Rowe both signed contracts with ROH.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/hanson-rowe-sign-roh |title=Hanson & Rowe sign with ROH |access-date=2014-04-11 |publisher=[[Ring of Honor]]}}</ref> On August 22, 2015, War Machine defeated [[Killer Elite Squad]] ([[Davey Boy Smith Jr.]] and [[Lance Archer]]) in a non-title match and afterwards challenged them to a match for their [[GHC Tag Team Championship]], a title owned by the Japanese [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/roh-indy-wrestling-news/55922-ring-of-honor-tag-team-heading-to-pro-wrestling-noah|title=Ring of Honor tag team heading to Pro Wrestling Noah|access-date=2015-08-26|work=Wrestleview|date=26 August 2015}}</ref> War Machine received their title shot in Japan on September 19, but were defeated by the Killer Elite Squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1450|title=Great Voyage 2015 in Osaka|access-date=September 19, 2015|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=ja|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915024311/http://www.noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1450|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 18 at [[Final Battle (2015)|Final Battle]], War Machine defeated [[The Kingdom (professional wrestling)|The Kingdom]] ([[Matt Taven]] and [[Mike Bennett (wrestler)|Michael Bennett]]) to win the [[ROH World Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/ring-honor/roh-final-battle-2015-live-results-jay-lethal-vs-aj-styles-roderick-strong-vs-bobby-fish|title=ROH Final Battle 2015 live results: Jay Lethal vs. AJ Styles, Roderick Strong vs. Bobby Fish|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=December 19, 2015|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to [[SoCal Uncensored|The Addiction]] ([[Christopher Daniels]] and [[Frankie Kazarian]]) on May 9, 2016, at [[War of the Worlds (2016 wrestling)|War of the Worlds]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=101883 | title = Bullet Club reigns supreme: ROH War of the Worlds tour coverage from Dearborn, Michigan | last=Johnson | first=Mike | date=May 9, 2016 | access-date=May 9, 2016 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> In late 2016, War Machine took part in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'s [[G1 Tag League#2016|2016 World Tag League]], where they finished with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/13461?showResult=1 | script-title=ja:戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents World Tag League 2016 | access-date=December 7, 2016 | work=[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] | language=ja}}</ref> Hanson and Rowe debuted for the [[United Kingdom]] based [[Revolution Pro Wrestling]] in January 2017, unsuccessfully challenging [[Joel Redman]] and Charlie Sterling for the [[RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship|Undisputed British Tag Team Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/01/21/121-revolution-pro-wrestling-london-england-shibata-vs-riddle-white-vs-stone-seven-vs-tevor-lee-scurll-vs-zsj/|title = 1/21 Revolution Pro Wrestling in London, England: Shibata vs. Riddle, White vs. Stone, Seven vs. Trevor Lee, Scurll vs. ZSJ|date = 22 January 2017}}</ref>
On April 9, 2017, at New Japan's [[Sakura Genesis 2017]], War Machine defeated [[Tencozy]] ([[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]]) to win the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=SakuraGenesis2017WON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-sakura-genesis-live-results-okada-vs-shibata-233351 | title = NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. Shibata | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=April 8, 2017 | access-date=April 9, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to [[Guerrillas of Destiny]] ([[Tama Tonga]] and [[Tanga Loa]]) on June 11 at [[Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-kenny-omega-237066 | title = NJPW Dominion live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kenny Omega | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=June 10, 2017 | access-date=June 11, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> regaining it in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match/No Holds Barred match|No Disqualification match]] on July 1 at [[G1 Special in USA]].<ref name=G1SpecialWON>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-g1-special-live-results-kazuchika-okada-vs-cody-238421 | title = NJPW G1 Special live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Cody | last=Witner | first=Arya | date=July 1, 2017 | access-date=July 1, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> They lost the title to Killer Elite Squad in a three-way match, also involving Guerrillas of Destiny, on September 24 at [[Destruction in Kobe (2017)|Destruction in Kobe]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-destruction-kobe-live-results-kenny-omega-vs-juice-robinson-243361 | title = NJPW Destruction in Kobe live results: Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson | last=Rose | first=Bryan | date=September 23, 2017 | access-date=September 24, 2017 | work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref> War Machine finished with ROH at [[Final Battle (2017)|Final Battle]] on December 15, 2017 and on December 16, 2017. They had their final matches with NJPW on January 4, 2018, at [[Wrestle Kingdom 12]], and January 5, 2018 at New Year's Dash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2018/1/5/16851980/njpw-new-year-dash-results-full-match-coverage|title=NJPW New Year Dash!! results: Surprise!|first=Rev Claire|last=Elizabeth|date=5 January 2018|website=Cageside Seats}}</ref>
=== WWE ===
==== NXT (2018–2019) ==== On January 16, 2018, Rowe and Hanson signed a contract with [[WWE]] and reported to the [[WWE Performance Center]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Clapp|first1=John|title=WWE Performance Center signs War Machine|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/war-machine-join-wwe-performance-center?sf179353734=1|work=WWE|access-date=January 16, 2018}}</ref>
During a TV taping before [[NXT TakeOver: New Orleans]], Rowe and Hanson debuted under the name '''War Raiders''', interfering in a match between Heavy Machinery ([[Tucker (American wrestler)|Tucker Knight]] and [[Otis (wrestler)|Otis Dozovic]]) and [[Tino Sabbatelli]] and [[Riddick Moss]], causing it to end in a no contest. Over the following weeks, they started a winning streak, defeating NXT teams such as [[The Mighty Don't Kneel|The Mighty]] and Heavy Machinery. On the October 17 episode of ''NXT'', they challenged [[The Undisputed Era]] ([[Kyle O'Reilly]] and [[Roderick Strong]]) for the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]], but won by disqualification after [[Bobby Fish]] attacked them with a steel chair; thus, they did not win the titles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/war-machine-new-name/#.Wsl6mNPwZWN|title=War Machine Debut New Name at NXT TakeOver Pre-Show Taping|date=2018-04-07|work=[[Pro Wrestling Sheet]] {{!}} Insider Wrestling News and Reports|access-date=2018-04-08|language=en-US}}</ref> War Raiders would go on to main event [[NXT TakeOver: WarGames (2018)|NXT TakeOver: WarGames II]] in Los Angeles teaming with [[Ricochet (wrestler)|Ricochet]] and [[Pete Dunne]] against [[The Undisputed Era]] in the [[WarGames match]]. At [[NXT TakeOver: Phoenix]], Rowe and Hanson defeated The Undisputed Era to win the [[NXT Tag Team Championship]]. They successfully defended their tag team championships at [[NXT TakeOver: New York]] against the team of Ricochet and [[Malakai Black|Aleister Black]].
==== Raw (2019–2021) ==== On April 15, 2019, they debuted on [[WWE Raw|''Raw'']] as '''The Viking Experience''', with Rowe and Hanson now called '''Erik''' and '''Ivar'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/superstar-shake-up-2019-results|title=WWE: 2019 Superstar Shake-up Summary|access-date=2019-04-17}}</ref> This new name was very negatively received on social media.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jason |title=Powell's WWE Raw Hit List: Superstar Shakeup night one |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/04/16/powells-wwe-raw-hit-list-superstar-shakeup-night-one-with-aj-styles-seth-rollins-and-roman-reigns-vs-drew-mcintyre-baron-corbin-and-bobby-lashley-the-viking-experience-and-the-revival-vs-ale/ |website=prowrestling.net |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref> [[Pro Wrestling Insider]] reported that another name considered was "The Berzerkers".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article.php?id=125793 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609132536/https://www.pwinsider.com/article.php?id=125793 |archive-date=June 9, 2021 |title=THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE VIKING EXPERIENCE WAS............ |last=Johnson |first=Mike |work=PWInsider.com |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> They teamed with [[FTR (professional wrestling)|The Revival]] to defeat the team of Aleister Black, Ricochet, [[Brian Myers|Curt Hawkins]], [[Major Players|and]] [[Matt Cardona|Zack Ryder]]. The next week, the team was renamed '''The Viking Raiders''' while their finisher was renamed to "The Viking Experience".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=125932|title=The Viking Experience is no more|access-date=2019-04-22}}</ref> They relinquished the NXT Tag Team Championships at the May 1 ''NXT'' television tapings ([[Broadcast delay|aired]] May 15). After relinquishing the championship, however, The Viking Raiders were challenged to one final ''NXT'' match for the titles by The [[Street Profits]]. The match, however, ended in a disqualification after The Forgotten Sons attacked Ivar, followed by an ensuing brawl between the teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/ongoing-spoilers-nxt-television-tapings-full-sail-51|title = Full Spoilers: NXT Television Tapings from Full Sail for 5/1 | Fightful News}}</ref>
On the September 9, 2019 episode of ''Raw'' in Madison Square Garden, The Viking Raiders saved [[Cedric Alexander]] from [[The O.C. (professional wrestling)|The O.C.]], thus turning [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] once again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-results/wwe-raw-live-results-return-madison-square-garden-292046|title = WWE Raw live results: Return to Madison Square Garden|date = 9 September 2019}}</ref> On the October 14 episode of ''Raw'', Erik and Ivar captured the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|Raw Tag Team Championship]] from [[Bobby Roode|Robert Roode]] and [[Dolph Ziggler]], becoming the first tag team in history to win tag team championships in ROH, New Japan and WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2019/10/14/viking-raiders-become-new-wwe-raw-tag-team-champions|title=Ziggler and Roode defeated by The Viking Raiders |access-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> However, they suffered their first loss as a team in WWE at [[Crown Jewel (2019)|Crown Jewel]] in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Tag team turmoil|tag team turmoil match]] for the WWE Tag Team World Cup, ultimately losing the last match against The O.C. At [[Survivor Series (2019)|Survivor Series]], they defeated The New Day and The Undisputed Era in a champions triple threat tag team match, scoring Raw's only victory at the event, which was ultimately won by NXT. On the January 20th episode of ''Raw'' they lost the titles to [[Seth Rollins]] and [[Buddy Matthews|Buddy Murphy]] ending their reign at 98 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2020/01/20/wwe-raw-results-news-and-notes-after-seth-rollins-and-buddy-murphy-win-raw-tag-team-titles/|title=Rollins and Murphy defeated The Viking Raiders |website=[[Forbes]] |access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> On the May 4 episode of Raw, The Viking Raiders defeated The Street Profits in a non-title match. In the following weeks, The Viking Raiders would feud with The Street Profits as they faced each other in several competitions such as basketball, axe-throwing, golf, bowling, and a decathlon which was later dubbed as the "Anything You Can Do, We Can Do Better" series. A running gag in these segments would see the women involved in the competitions flirting with Ivar and ignoring Erik much to his annoyance. The series would end with a 3–3 tie between the Street Profits and The Viking Raiders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/06/wwe-monday-night-raw-live-results-671195/|title=WWE Monday Night RAW Results - Backlash Go-Home Show, The Peep Show, Asuka Vs. Charlotte Flair, More|website=Wrestling Inc|date=8 June 2020 }}</ref> This led to a match scheduled between the two teams for the Raw Tag Team Titles at [[Backlash (2020)|Backlash]]. However, the match never began as The Street Profits and The Viking Raiders brawled backstage which also saw them work together to fend off [[Akira Tozawa]] and a gang of ninjas on motorcycles. The Street Profits and The Viking Raiders continued brawling afterwards until they fell into a dumpster.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/06/the-viking-raiders-and-the-street-profits-in-bizarre-671424/|title=The Viking Raiders And The Street Profits In Bizarre Segment At WWE Backlash, Montez Ford Reacts|website=Wrestling Inc|date=14 June 2020 }}</ref> On the June 22 episode of Raw, The Viking Raiders finally received their Raw Tag Team Title match against The Street Profits where they were defeated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-raw-62220-results-live-coverage-discussion-8pm-est|title=WWE Raw 6/22/20 Results: 3 Title Matches, While Dolph Ziggler & Rey Mysterio Make Their Raw Returns|website=Fightful}}</ref> On the September 7 episode of ''Raw'', [[The Hurt Syndicate|The Hurt Business]] defeated [[Apollo Crews]], Ricochet, and the Raiders in an eight-man tag team match, with Alexander scoring the pinfall over Ricochet, with the match being forced to an abrupt ending due to Ivar suffering a legitimate cervical injury during the match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-raw-9720-results-live-coverage-discussion-8pm-est|title=WWE Raw 9/7/20 Results | Fightful News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/ivar-injured-during-eight-man-tag-match-wwe-raw-319641|title = Ivar injured during eight-man tag match on WWE Raw|date = 7 September 2020}}</ref> On September 14, Ivar underwent successful surgery to repair a neck injury thus rendering him out of action and putting the team on hiatus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/ivar-neck-surgery-raw-injury/|title=Ivar Reportedly Set For Neck Surgery After RAW Injury|website=411 Mania}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=Ivar_WWE|number = 1309247701478002689 |title=Little over a week post surgery, the road to recovery has begun!!! I can't say Thank you enough to everyone for all the love and support, it has been unbelievably humbling. Better, Stronger, Healthier here I come! Two heartsPoultry legSign of the horns|date=September 25, 2020|access-date=September 27, 2020}}</ref>
After a seven month absence, The Viking Raiders returned on the April 12, 2021 episode of ''Raw'', defeating Cedric Alexander and [[Shelton Benjamin]]. On the June 7 episode of ''Raw'', The Viking Raiders would win a battle royal to determine to #1 contenders for the Raw Tag Titles. It would be announced that The Viking Raiders would face the Raw Tag Team champions, [[AJ Styles and Omos]] at [[Money in the Bank (2021)|Money In The Bank]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-07|title=Viking Raiders Win Battle Royal, Earn RAW Tag Title Shot|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1238596-viking-raiders-win-battle-royal-earn-tag-title-shot|access-date=2021-07-17|website=Wrestlezone}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE Moves Title Match To money In The Bank|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/07/wwe-moves-title-match-to-money-in-the-bank/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=Wrestling Inc.|date=12 July 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> At the event, The Viking Raiders would fail to capture the titles, as Styles and Omos retained.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chiari|first=Mike|title=AJ Styles, Omos Beat Viking Raiders, Retain Tag Team Titles at Money in the Bank|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2945857-aj-styles-omos-beat-viking-raiders-retain-tag-team-titles-at-money-in-the-bank|access-date=2021-08-02|website=Bleacher Report|language=en}}</ref>
==== Brand switches and hiatus (2021–2024) ==== In the [[2021 WWE Draft|2021 Draft]], The Viking Raiders were drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] brand. On February 19, 2022 at the [[Elimination Chamber (2022)|Elimination Chamber]], they were attacked by [[The Usos]] before their match for the [[WWE Tag Team Championship|SmackDown Tag Team Championship]], but on the March 4 episode of ''SmackDown'' they unsuccessfully challenged the Usos for the titles. On the June 24 show of ''SmackDown'' the Viking Raiders would return with new gear and face paint, being called "The Vicious" Viking Raiders, and would violently attack The New Day & Shanky, turning heel, and began a feud with the New Day ending on the September 2 show of ''SmackDown'' in a Viking Rules Match (No rules, Falls Count Anywhere) which the Viking Raiders won. It was later reported that Erik suffered an injured foot in that match, and will be sidelined indefinitely, putting the team on hiatus.
On the April 9, 2024, Ivar returned to NXT to challenge [[NXT North American Championship|NXT North American Champion]] [[Oba Femi]] for the title but failed to defeat Femi at Week 2 of ''[[Spring Breakin' (2024)|Spring Breakin'<nowiki/>]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=April 9, 2024 |title=NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/09/nxt-tv-results-4-9-moores-review-of-the-stand-deliver-fallout-show-bron-breakker-and-baron-corbin-vs-axiom-and-nathan-frazer-for-the-nxt-tag-team-titles/ |access-date=April 10, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=April 30, 2024 |title=NXT TV results (4/30): Moore's review of Spring Breakin' Night Two with Oba Femi vs. Ivar for the NXT North American Title, Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. AOP for the NXT Tag Team Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/30/nxt-tv-results-4-30-moores-review-of-spring-breakin-night-two-with-oba-femi-vs-ivar-for-the-nxt-north-american-title-axiom-and-nathan-frazer-vs-aop-for-the-nxt-tag-team-titles/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}}</ref> On the May 14 episode of ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'', Ivar, [[Wes Lee]] and [[Josh Briggs]] were victims from a backstage attack by the returning [[Gallus (professional wrestling)|Gallus]]. Ivar would later confirm that he is suffering from a spinal injury.
==== Return (2024–present) ==== In October 2024, cryptic messages began airing on ''Raw'' featuring Nordic characters that translate to "WAR" to promote the team's return. On the October 14 episode of ''Raw'', Ivar and Erik returned defeating [[Alpha Academy]] reverting back to their '''War Raiders''' name and gimmick, re-establishing themselves as [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favourites]]. They would win the World Tag Team Championship from [[The Judgment Day]] ([[Finn Bálor]] and [[JD McDonagh]]) on the December 16 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=December 16, 2024 |title=WWE Raw results (12/16): Powell's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser for the Intercontinental Title, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh vs. The War Raiders for the World Tag Team Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/12/16/wwe-raw-results-12-16-powells-live-review-of-bron-breakker-vs-ludwig-kaiser-for-the-intercontinental-title-finn-balor-and-jd-mcdonagh-vs-the-war-raiders-for-the-world-tag-team-titles/ |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}</ref> At Night 1 of [[WrestleMania 41]] on April 19, 2025, they lost the titles to [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day]] ([[Kofi Kingston]] and [[Xavier Woods]]), ending their reign at 124 days.<ref name="WM41N1">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WrestleMania 41 results: Powell's live review of night one with Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, Gunther vs. Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/04/19/wrestlemania-41-results-powells-live-review-of-night-one-with-roman-reigns-vs-cm-punk-vs-seth-rollins-gunther-vs-jey-uso-for-the-world-heavyweight-championship/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=April 19, 2025|access-date=April 19, 2025}}</ref> On June 2, Valhalla announced that WWE had chosen not to renew her contract.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2, 2025 |title=Valhalla Announces WWE Departure |url=https://www.pwmania.com/valhalla-announces-wwe-departure |website=PWMania}}</ref>
On the January 31 episode of [[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide|AAA]], The War Raiders are teased to make their debut 2 weeks later. On the February 2 episode of Raw, they were both attacked by [[Oba Femi]].
At [[Noche de Los Grandes]] on May 30, 2026, the War Raiders defeated [[Pagano (wrestler)|Pagano]] and [[Psycho Clown]] to win the AAA World Tag Team Championships for the first time.
==Championships and accomplishments== [[File:War Machine IWGP Tag Team Champions.jpg|thumb|250px|War Machine as the [[IWGP Tag Team Championship|IWGP Tag Team Champions]]]] [[File:War machine NXT Champs.jpg|thumb|250px|War Raiders as the [[NXT Tag Team Champions]]]] *'''Brew City Wrestling''' **BCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) *'''[[Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide]]''' **[[AAA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[AAA World Tag Team Championship#AAA World Tag Team Title history|1 time, current]]) *'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]''' **[[IWGP Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of IWGP Tag Team Champions|2 times]])<ref name=SakuraGenesis2017WON/><ref name=G1SpecialWON/> *'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''''' **Ranked Hanson No. 108 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 2016<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> **Ranked Rowe No. 97 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2016<ref name="auto"/> *'''[[Ring of Honor]]''' ** [[ROH World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of ROH World Tag Team Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=129319|title=ROH Final Battle 2015 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net}}</ref> *'''VIP Wrestling''' **VIP Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=164643|title=VIP Limitless « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net}}</ref> *'''What Culture Pro Wrestling''' **WCPW Tag Team Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wc.pw/title/wcpw-tag-team-championship|title=WCPW Tag Team Championship|access-date=October 3, 2017|work=What Culture Pro Wrestling|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710190022/https://wc.pw/title/wcpw-tag-team-championship|url-status=dead}}</ref> *'''[[WWE]]''' **[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World/WWE Raw Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Raw Tag Team Championship |url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/raw-tag-team-championship |access-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> **[[NXT Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of NXT Tag Team Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/nxt-tag-team-championship|title=NXT Tag Team Championship|access-date=January 26, 2019}}</ref> **[[WWE Speed Championship|WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender Tournament]] ([[List of WWE tournaments#WWE Speed Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (February 28-March 19, 2025) |2025]]) – [[Ivar (wrestler)|Ivar]] **[[List of WWE tournaments#World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Tournament (2024) 2|World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Tournament (2024)]]<ref>{{Cite web | title=WWE Monday Night RAW #1640 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database | url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=399503 | access-date=2025-08-17 | website=www.cagematch.net}}</ref>
== Notes == <references group="lower-alpha" /> ==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Professional wrestling profiles}} *{{Professional wrestling profiles|name=Erik|wwe=erik|type=person}} *{{Professional wrestling profiles|name=Ivar|wwe=ivar|type=person}}
{{Navboxes| |list1= {{WWE personnel}} {{World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 2024–present)}} {{NXT Tag Team Championship}} {{IWGP Tag Team Championship}} {{AAA World Tag Team Championship}} {{ROH World Tag Team Championship}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:War Raiders}} [[Category:AAA World Tag Team Champions]] [[Category:Independent promotions teams and stables]] [[Category:New Japan Pro-Wrestling teams and stables]] [[Category:Pro Wrestling Noah teams and stables]] [[Category:Ring of Honor teams and stables]] [[Category:WWE NXT teams and stables]] [[Category:WWE teams and stables]]