# WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wwe-nxt-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic-tournament > Updated: 2026-09-22T20:08:41.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3. The 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic officially commenced on the September 22 episode of WWE NXT, broadcasting from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Cody Rhodes announced he will personally present the Dusty Cup trophy to the tournament winners. In the opening round, Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno advanced by defeating Los Americanos. The Creed Brothers also secured a victory against Harley Riggins and Jax Presley. The tournament field faced an unexpected change when Dorian Van Dux was sidelined with a punctured lung; he was replaced by EK Prosper in a six-man tag team match, which was won by BirthRight. In the women’s division, Skylar Raye defeated Kali Armstrong following interference from Reina Volcan. Additionally, the team of Thea Hail and La Catalina defeated Kelani Jordan and Zaria, a victory that earned Hail a future match for the NXT Women’s North American Championship. The 14-team single-elimination field includes talent from NXT, WWE RAW, SmackDown, EVOLVE, and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. The tournament structure provides automatic quarterfinal qualifications for The Vanity Project and the AAA Tag Team Champions, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno, who enter in the second round. Other identified participants include Fraxiom, DarkState, and the Tokyo Bad Boys. In related developments, TNA wrestler Nic Nemeth expressed a desire for increased TNA representation, noting that the partnership between WWE and TNA appears ‘less central to NXT’s current programming than in previous years.’ ## Claims - Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno defeated Los Americanos in the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Creed Brothers defeated Harley Riggins and Jax Presley to advance in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Skylar Raye defeated Kali Armstrong following interference from Reina Volcan. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Thea Hail and La Catalina defeated Kelani Jordan and Zaria in a tag team match. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The team BirthRight, consisting of Lexis King, Uriah Connors, and Channing Lorenzo, won a six-man tag team match. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Thea Hail earned an NXT Women’s North American Championship match against Zaria for the following week. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: WWE NXT launches 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic The 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic began on WWE NXT, featuring first-round wins by Noam Dar, Romeo Moreno, and the Creed Brothers. Cody Rhodes will present the trophy to the eventual winners. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/noam-dar-and-romeo-moreno-advance-in-wwe-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic ### 2026-09-20: WWE NXT launches 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic WWE NXT has launched the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, a 14-team tournament featuring talent from WWE brands, EVOLVE, and AAA. The event marks the return of the historic tag team competition. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wwe-announces-14-teams-for-2026-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic ### 2026-09-16: WWE NXT announces return of Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic WWE NXT will revive the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on September 22, featuring a 14-team bracket with talent from NXT, RAW, SmackDown, EVOLVE, and AAA. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wwe-nxt-announces-return-of-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic --- Cite as: WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wwe-nxt-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic-tournament