Semi‑final line-up set for 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic after WWE NXT on October 20, 2026
On the October 20 edition of WWE NXT in Florida, the final two quarterfinal matches of the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic concluded with The Wagner Brothers (El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno del Mal) defeating Birthright (Lexis King & Charlie Dempsey) and Hank & Tank (Hank Walker & Tank Ledger) defeating The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed), securing the last semi-final berths in the tournament.
The semi-finals are scheduled for the October 27 edition of WWE NXT, with Vanity Project (Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes) facing Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno and Hank & Tank meeting The Wagner Brothers. The Vanity Project received a first-round bye as the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions and The Wagner Brothers received a first-round bye as the AAA World Tag Team Champions.
NXT’s card for next week lists the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic semi-final pairings alongside other matches announced for the show, including NXT North American Title: Jackson Drake (c) vs E.K. Prosper and Lizzy Rain vs Chantel Monroe. The promotion posted: "Set for #WWENXT next week!• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic– Vanity Project vs Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno– Hank and Tank vs The Wagner Brothers• NXT North American Title: Jackson Drake (c) vs E.K. Prosper• Lizzy Rain vs Chantel Monroe pic.twitter.com/XPXafTfTJR"
First established in 2015 as a tribute to Dusty Rhodes, the tournament returns in 2026 after a one-year gap following the 2024 edition. The 2024 men’s tournament was won by the dominant duo of Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (known as The Wolf Dogs); they defeated Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in the finals, and the Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed) were the seventh-edition winners in 2022.
A total of 14 tag teams are set to compete in this edition of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, drawing participants from WWE’s Raw, SmackDown and NXT brands, the Evolve brand, and AAA.
The winners of the October 27 semi-final matches will meet in the tournament final; that final could take place at Halloween Havoc on October 31st.