First Round Matchups for NXT Dusty Rhodes Classic Tag Tournament Revealed

It was announced at “NXT Takeover: Brooklyn” this past Saturday that a tag team tournament would be held in honor of the late “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, who passed away at the age of 69 on June 11.

The tournament will run over the next several weeks, with everything culminating at the next “NXT Takeover” event on Oct. 7 on the WWE Network.

During the Aug. 26 edition of “NXT” programming, Baron Corbin entered general manager William Regal’s office to let it be known that he wants in the tournament, although he doesn’t necessarily play well with others.

Regal had the perfect partner to team with Corbin, revealing that the 6-foot-8 behemoth will be paired with Rhyno. In one of the tournament’s first bouts, Corbin and Rhyno will go to battle with former NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension next week on “NXT.”

Per WrestlingInc.com, a couple of other tournament matches were filmed last week during NXT’s tapings (Ascension vs. Corbin/Rhyno has been filmed):

• Neville & Solomon Crowe vs. Chad Gable & Jason Jordan
• Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Tyler Breeze & Bull Dempsey.

During WWE’s “Smackdown” tapings on Tuesday, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe defeated The Lucha Dragons in another tournament matchup.

Editor’s Note

Early favorite? Samoa Joe and Finn Balor, easily. I’m not selling Gargano and Ciampa short, though, especially if WWE has any long-term plans for them.

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