The WWE Roadblock 2016 event featured an intense WWE Tag Team Championship match between the reigning champions, The New Day, and the formidable faction known as the League of Nations. This thrilling contest took place on March 12, 2016, in Toronto, Canada, and was one of the standout matches of the night. The battle was not just about championship gold but also about pride and dominance in WWE’s tag team division.
The Build-Up to the Match
The New Day—consisting of Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods—had established themselves as one of WWE’s most entertaining and dominant tag teams. Their mix of athleticism, charisma, and humor made them fan favorites, but their reign as champions also painted a target on their backs. At Roadblock, they defended their titles against two powerful members of the League of Nations: Sheamus and King Barrett.
The League of Nations, a villainous stable featuring Sheamus, King Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio, had been terrorizing WWE in the months leading up to this match. Their goal was to assert their dominance over the tag team division, and what better way to do it than by dethroning The New Day? With their strength and aggression, Sheamus and Barrett posed a serious threat to the champions.
The Match Begins
As the match got underway, Xavier Woods and Big E represented The New Day inside the ring, while Kofi Kingston provided support at ringside. The energy in the arena was electric as both teams locked up, with the crowd firmly behind The New Day.
Sheamus and Barrett immediately tried to impose their brute strength on Woods, isolating him in their corner and executing quick tags to wear him down. Barrett landed stiff strikes, and Sheamus delivered his signature Ten Beats of the Bodhrán, hammering Woods’ chest against the ropes. The New Day struggled in the early going as the League of Nations took control.
However, as the match progressed, Woods found an opening and tagged in Big E. The powerhouse of The New Day changed the momentum with explosive offense, including powerful belly-to-belly suplexes on both Sheamus and Barrett. The match turned chaotic as all four men got involved, leading to a thrilling exchange of near falls.
The Climax and Victory
The League of Nations seemed to be closing in on victory when Sheamus prepared to hit a Brogue Kick on Big E. However, a timely distraction from Kofi Kingston at ringside allowed Woods to recover. In a crucial moment, Big E and Woods hit their devastating tag team finisher, The Midnight Hour, on Barrett, securing the three-count for the victory.
With the win, The New Day retained their WWE Tag Team Championships, solidifying their legacy as one of the best tag teams of their era. Despite their loss, the League of Nations remained a dominant force, continuing their rivalry with top WWE superstars.
This match was a testament to The New Day’s resilience and ability to entertain while delivering in-ring excellence. Roadblock 2016 will always be remembered as a night when The New Day proved why they were the champions.
