With NXT TakeOver: Toronto only a couple weeks away, this edition of WWE’s developmental brand is focused on advancing the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The entirety of Round Two will take place on tonight’s episode, and features teams like The Authors of Pain, The Revival, Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins, and more.
Opening Segment
To start off NXT, Charly Caruso gets us ready for the second round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, where she announces that the first match of the round took place at an NXT house show in California.
TM61 vs. Austin Aries & Roderick Strong – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round 2)
At a previous house show, Austin Aries suffered an injury to his eye, so NXT officials will not be able to compete tonight. Since he won’t be in the match, he says that TM61 should forfeit so they aren’t embarrassed by losing a 2-on-1 handicap match. NXT General Manager William Regal proposes an idea: Roderick Strong faces a member of TM61, and the winner of the singles match will bring their team to the semifinals.
Shane Thorne (w/Nick Miller) vs. Roderick Strong (w/Austin Aries) – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round 2)
In the first round, both TM61 and Team Aries beat two relatively unknown teams. Now that both teams have more notable opponents, and that this is a singles match, Round 2 changes things up entirely. Thorne is known for being a tag team wrestler with Miller, while Strong has thrived in singles competition, winning the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championships.
Roderick Strong hits Nick Miller with a basement dropkick outside of the ring, and Shane Thorne takes advantage of the distraction to roll Strong up for the win. TM61 moves on to the semifinals where they will either face SAnitY, or TJ Perkins and Kota Ibushi. Winner: Shane Thorne | Eliminated: Roderick Strong & Austin Aries
DIY vs. The Revival – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round 2)
While Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are ready to compete, it doesn’t look to be the case for the Tag Team Champions. When the Revival make their way to the stage, Scott Dawson walks out on crutches. Dawson says that he sprained his ACL, tore his MCL, and split his meniscus in half. Due to his “injury,” Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are pulling out of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. It just seems like The Revival doesn’t want to face DIY, and since they have the NXT Tag Team Championships, they don’t care about winning the tournament.
The Revival pulling out of the tournament means that DIY will automatically advance to the next round. They will either face the Authors of Pain or No Way Jose and Rich Swann. Winners (by default): DIY | Eliminated: The Revival
Backstage Segment
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are not surprised that The Revival decided to back out of the tournament. This doesn’t matter to them, however, since they are focused on winning the Dusty Classic and this helps them advance to the semifinals.
The Authors of Pain vs. No Way Jose & Rich Swann – Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (Round 2)
This is the second Dusty Classic match to take place at a house show, and it pits a makeshift team against a team that has been undefeated since their NXT debut. Rich Swann, the smallest competitor in the match, has some experience outside of just wrestling Cruiserweights. Swann made a splash in NXT when he had a great match against SmackDown’s Baron Corbin.
No Way Jose misses the blind tag, and The Authors of Pain hit the Last Chapter (heh) on Jose to continue their undefeated streak and advance to the semifinals. Their next match will be against DIY. Winners: The Authors of Pain | Eliminated: No Way Jose & Rich Swann
TJ Perkins & Kota Ibushi vs. SAnitY
Sawyer Fulton and Alexander Wolfe of SAnitY debuted in the first round of this tournament, where they destroyed Tye Dillinger (Bobby Roode was also in the match, but retreated for his safety). Kota Ibushi was originally supposed to team with Hideo Itami, but Itami was replaced by the former Cruiserweight Champion due to injury.
Kota Ibushi hits the Golden Star powerbomb, but Eric Young and Nikki Cross distract the referee. Fulton and Wolfe take advantage to hit a double team on Ibushi, and they advance to the semifinals where they will take on TM61. Winners: SAnitY | Eliminated: TJ Perkins & Kota Ibushi
This wraps up Round 2 of the Dusty Classic, and the semifinals start next week.
