Dusty Classic Returns
WWE Announces Six New Teams for the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
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Key Points
1
The Creed Brothers won the 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic by defeating MSK in the final, giving Julius and Brutus Creed a chance to become two-time winners.
2
The most recent tournament, held in 2024, was won by Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin, who defeated Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in the final.
3
Fraxiom and the team of Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno have recent history: Nathan Frazer and Axiom defeated the duo on June 9 after returning to NXT, and they will now compete on opposite sides of the tournament.
4
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic dates back to 2015, when The Authors of Pain—Akam and Rezar—won the inaugural tournament.
WWE's 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic returns to NXT on September 22 after a two-year absence, featuring 14 teams from NXT, WWE's main roster, WWE EVOLVE, and AAA eWrestling News. The tournament, which honors WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes' legacy, will crown a new champion and award a guaranteed shot at the NXT Tag Team Championship. The Vanity Project (current NXT Tag Team Champions) and The Wagner Brothers (AAA Tag Team Champions) received first-round byes.
WWE revealed six of the competing teams on September 19: Mini Vikingo and Chazz "Starboy" Hall, Fraxiom, Los Americanos, Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno, DarkState, and BirthRight Wrestling Attitude. The remaining five teams were announced September 20, completing the full 14-team bracket. Tonight's opening matches include the Creed Brothers versus Harley Riggins & Jax Presley, and Los Americanos versus Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno PWMania.
Creed Brothers Seek Second Tournament Championship
The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus) enter as two-time contenders after winning the 2022 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic by defeating MSK in the final Fightful. They departed NXT for WWE's main roster but return to the tournament seeking to become the second team ever to win it twice. Their presence signals confidence in their ability to compete at the highest WWE level.
Cross-Promotional Field Spans Four Companies
This year's 14-team bracket represents an unprecedented integration of talent from multiple WWE-affiliated organizations eWrestling News. The tournament includes wrestlers from NXT, Raw, SmackDown, WWE EVOLVE, and Mexico's Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. This format allows rising EVOLVE prospects like Harley Riggins & Jax Presley to gain major national television exposure on The CW Network.
International talent, including Mini Vikingo and The Wagner Brothers from AAA, represents Mexico's strongest presence in the tournament WrestleTalk. The Wagner Brothers' first-round bye reflects their status as AAA Tag Team Champions. Their inclusion strengthens WWE's ongoing strategic partnerships with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
Fraxiom Clashes With Rivals in Opposite Bracket
Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) faces off against their recent rivals Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno, who compete in the opposite half of the bracket Fightful. The two teams last faced on June 9, when Fraxiom won decisively after returning to NXT. A tournament final between these rivals would create a compelling rematch storyline.
Tournament's Legacy and Past Champions
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic began in 2015 following the Hall of Famer's passing, honoring his contributions to WWE and NXT development eWrestling News. The Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) won the inaugural tournament. The most recent 2024 edition was won by Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin, who defeated Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in the final PWMania.
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