MEMPHIS, Tenn – Cheaters never win … unless their names are Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch.

The World Tag Team Champions fended off a fierce challenge from former champions Paul London & Brian Kendrick at Unforgiven Sunday night. And it took some bending of the rules to do it.

With all four competitors in the ring and the referee struggling to regain control, Brian Kendrick was pulled off the top rope by Murdoch and thrown into the waiting arms of Cade, who caught Kendrick with a powerful spinebuster.

As Paul London tried to aid his fallen partner, Cade backdropped London over the top rope to the floor. Murdoch – the legal man in the ring – was able to cover Kendrick for the three-count and the victory.

The loss is a small setback for the high-flying duo, who won the World Tag Team Titles on Raw’s recent South Africa tour – only to lose the titles back to Cade & Murdoch on the tour’s last stop in Johannesburg. Locker room sources tell WWE.com that the pair is disappointed, but not discouraged, and expect to challenge again soon for the titles they recently held.

As for Cade & Murdoch, the blue-collar boys continue their winning ways, and hold onto the titles they’ve held since June 4 (except for three days in South Africa).