The WWE Hall of Fame is about to welcome one of the most physically imposing tag teams in wrestling history—The Natural Disasters. Composed of Earthquake (John Tenta) and Typhoon (Fred Ottman), this powerhouse duo terrorized the tag team division in the early 1990s, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Their upcoming induction is a long-overdue recognition of their impact during WWE’s Golden Era.
Debuting in 1991, The Natural Disasters were an unstoppable force, using their massive size and brute strength to bulldoze opponents. Earthquake, already established as a monster heel after ending Hulk Hogan’s dominant WWE Championship reign in 1990, joined forces with Typhoon (formerly Tugboat) to form a nearly unbeatable team. Their gimmick was simple but effective—they were a natural disaster in the ring, flattening anyone who stood in their way.
Though they never captured the WWE Tag Team Championships, The Natural Disasters had memorable rivalries with teams like The Legion of Doom, The Bushwhackers, and Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster). Their matches were defined by sheer power, with Earthquake’s devastating sit-down splash and Typhoon’s crushing strikes making them a fan favorite despite their villainous tendencies.
Beyond their in-ring dominance, The Natural Disasters were a testament to the larger-than-life characters that defined WWE in the early ’90s. Their induction honors not only their legacy but also the late John Tenta, who passed away in 2006. Fred Ottman, who continued wrestling as The Shockmaster and later in WCW, has kept their memory alive among fans.
While some may argue that The Natural Disasters’ run was relatively short-lived, their impact was undeniable. They embodied the spectacle of WWE—huge, charismatic, and unforgettable. As they take their rightful place in the Hall of Fame, fans can reflect on the era when giants roamed the ring, and few were as intimidating as Earthquake and Typhoon.
The Natural Disasters’ induction celebrates a bygone era of tag team wrestling, reminding us that sometimes, the most destructive forces in WWE are the ones we remember forever. Congratulations to these two legends—their storm has finally reached immortality.
