| Type | Tag team |
| Legacy | Solid, dependable tag team that left its mark on the NWA, but without achieving the global fame of the 'Road Warriors' |
| Promotion | |
| Wrestlers | Animal and Hawk |
| Titles held | NWA World Tag Team Championship (multiple times) |
| Years active | 1980s |
| Signature style | Hard-hitting, powerhouse |
Animal and Hawk were a prominent tag team who competed in the NWA and its member promotions such as World Championship Wrestling throughout the 1980s. Known for their hard-hitting, powerhouse wrestling style, the duo captured the prestigious NWA World Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions.
Animal (real name Michael Hegstrand) and Hawk (Joseph Laurinaitis) first began teaming together in the early 1980s on the independent wrestling circuit. Their combination of size, strength, and aggression quickly made them stand out, and they soon caught the attention of NWA bookers.
Debuting in the NWA in 1983, Animal and Hawk quickly rose through the ranks, establishing themselves as a dominant force in the tag team division. Their rugged, brawling-based offense and imposing physical presence made them a handful for any opposition.
The duo's first NWA World Tag Team Championship reign came in 1984, when they defeated The Freebirds (Michael "PS" Hayes, Terry Gordy, and Buddy Roberts) for the titles. This began a series of championship runs over the next several years, with Animal and Hawk capturing the belts a total of four times.
Their title reigns were marked by intense rivalries with other top NWA tag teams of the era, including the Anderson Brothers (Gene Anderson and Ole Anderson), The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane), and The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner).
While Animal and Hawk were undoubtedly one of the most dominant and successful tag teams in NWA/WCW during the 1980s, they never quite achieved the legendary, iconic status of the "Road Warriors" in our timeline. Their hard-hitting, bruiser-style offense and physiques were certainly impressive, but they lacked some of the over-the-top, theatrical elements that made the Road Warriors such a cultural phenomenon.
Additionally, they faced stiff competition from other elite NWA tag teams that possibly overshadowed their accomplishments to a degree. The Anderson Brothers, Freebirds, and Steiner Brothers all had similarly decorated and acclaimed tenures as champions.
Nonetheless, Animal and Hawk's contributions to tag team wrestling in the NWA cannot be overstated. Their rugged, hard-nosed approach and multiple title reigns cemented their place as one of the top teams of their era. While they may not have reached the same global fame as their counterparts, their legacy as a consistently dominant and influential force in the NWA remains intact.
