The War Raiders of WWE, known as Ivar and Erik, have carved a niche for themselves. With a Viking-inspired personality and in-ring chemistry, their journey is filled with deafening highs and devastating lows.
Let us explore their inspiring tale of the rise, struggle, and legacy and WWE’s Viking Warriors.
The Origins of the Warriors: Domination as War Machine
Before they became WWE superstars, Erik (previously known as Raymond Rowe) and Ivar (formerly known as Hanson) used to sweep across the world wrestling arena as “War Machine.” From their tenure in Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), they showed the raw power and chemistry that made them the talk of many tag team championship wins.
The hard environment of Japanese rings, followed by a sold-out American arena show run, turned them into fierce, high-impact, with brute strength.
Arrival in WWE: A Force in NXT
In early 2018, WWE’s Viking Warriors, Erik and Ivar entered into contracts with WWE to great anticipation, which the duo did live up to. Their being repackaged war raiders, they charged into the NXT scene. Here they were introduced through some show-stopping debuts and performances.
The crowning moment for them was at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, where they defeated the fearsome Undisputed Era. They managed to claim and establish themselves as the NXT Tag Team Champions. In addition, with their Viking-inspired theatrics and powerful moves, it didn’t take long for them to catch the viewers’ favor.
Main Roster: Rebranding and Redemption
Moving on to the main roster from WWE is hard for every single person, and that includes even the very best. On February 21, Erik and Ivar were renamed “The Viking Experience,” a name that seemed strange to most fans. Eventually, the name evolved into The Viking Raiders, which better aligned with their viking warrior personas.
A milestone is this duo winning the Raw Tag Team Championships in 2019, thus muffling the critics. They had an impressive entrance, ending in battle cries with horned helmets, captivating the WWE Universe. Yet, with all his accolades, life is not that easy as both Erik and Ivar suffered career-ending injuries.
Adversity Strikes: A Battle Beyond the Ring
Injuries are a part of an unfortunate reality in wrestling and did not spare the War Raiders. Erik had neck fusion surgery in 2023, whereas Ivar suffered from a debilitating spinal injury in 2024. There were moments during these injuries when the possibility of retirement looked larger than life.
But their Viking spirit persevered. The men painstakingly put themselves back into their fighting shapes. Their battles have not only inspired the fans but are also set as the prelude to one of the most emotional comebacks in WWE history.
The Triumphant Return: The War Raiders Return
The WWE Universe is going crazy for a good comeback story, and Erik and Ivar have given them one for the ages. At the end of 2024, the War Raiders hinted towards their return with vague, Viking-themed vignettes, then immediately made waves by defeating Alpha Academy on Raw in their first match back.
But the crown jewel event took place on December 16, 2024, when they knocked off Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day to claim the World Tag Team Championships. That put the puddle deep: five years without a title. But it proved that they were strong enough to come with the best of them.
Emotional Victory
Erik and Ivar spent time after their title victory reflecting on the path they took to get there. Moments of doctors telling Erik that he might never wrestle again. The emotional and physical toll that Ivar had to suffer because of this discouragement. Holding that championship gold again is so much more than just another business accolade: it is a personal victory.
It isn’t just a title to us, said Erik during a post-match interview. It literally states that one can fight his way back, regardless of what life throws at him. The WWE Universe resonated with their story, so they celebrated their victory with the same pride as if it were an award that they won.
Forecast These Days – The Anticipated Era of Dominant Tag Teams
The return of the War Raiders opens up an interesting chapter in WWE’s great tag team division. With the Viking Raiders still holding gold, fans will be treated to some high-intensity rivalries with teams such as The Street Profits, Imperium, and certainly younger factions looking to challenge the 11-time champions.
Erik and Ivar are champions, but they are also battle-worn warriors and experienced mentors. In their roles as storytellers and athletes, they bring a unique set to the ring. The charisma of the entire Vikings keeps them ahead in popularity among fans, as their in-ring skills will challenge any team’s level.
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