NXT announces teams for Dusty Rhodes Classic tournament

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The latest episode from WWE’s top developmental brand has received some pretty rough reviews, but it did offer some good news for fans of in-ring pro wrestling performances, and especially the sometimes-forgotten art of performing in tag team matches. The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back. The men’s tournament, anyway. That’s the one NXT General Manager Robert Stone was clearly talking about it when he announced the Dusty’s return last night (Sept. 15) on The CW. Stone said the tournament is part of his Heatwave promise to “enhance the tag team division”, a next step after bringing back former NXT Tag champs The Creed Brothers. Today, Stone was a guest on WWE Radio’s Busted Open, and revealed that the NXT and AAA Tag champs will anchor the 14-team Dusty field. NXT titleholders Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) and their AAA counterparts El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno get first round byes… thus the 14 teams. Stone’s said that in addition to his brand and the one Rey Mysterio general manages (manages generally?), there would also be teams from Raw, SmackDown, and Evolve. A full bracket reveal is said to be coming later this week. Excited for the first Dusty Classic since Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin won it in 2024?

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"WWE NXT" General Manager Robert Stone revealed two more teams who will be competing in the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, as well as the first-round byes.