WWE NXT preview: Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarterfinals and Cruz Montana vs Dion Lennox on October 20
WWE NXT returns on October 20 from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, featuring two Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarterfinal matches, a six-man tag contest and a singles bout between Cruz Montana and Dion Lennox. The show airs at 8 ET/7 CT on The CW in the United States.
The episode builds toward Halloween Havoc 2026 while the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic continues its quarterfinal stage. The tournament matches scheduled are The Creed Brothers versus Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, and The Wagner Brothers versus BirthRight. A six-man tag will pit The Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Ricky Smokes and Brad Baylor) against E.K. Prosper, Mini Vikingo and Chazz “Starboy” Hall, and Cruz Montana meets Dion Lennox in a singles match. In the United States the show is on The CW; in India and several other international markets it is available on Netflix.
Montana and Lennox meet after an incident on the October 13 episode in which Lennox attacked Montana backstage, took his phone and made a threatening call to Montana’s mother, “promising to send him back to a dark period in his life.” Their one-on-one match gives Montana an in-ring opportunity to respond and Lennox a chance to back up his threats. Their clash could also have implications for the wider NXT roster as tensions continue to rise.
The Vanity Project’s six-man team faces E.K. Prosper, Mini Vikingo and Chazz “Starboy” Hall, bringing together competitors tied into the tournament picture. The match offers both trios a chance to build momentum, with The Vanity Project relying on teamwork and experience while Prosper, Mini Vikingo and Hall aim to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm. The contest also gives Mini Vikingo and Hall another opportunity to show what they can do after their previous tournament outing against the NXT Tag Team Champions.
The Wagner Brothers — Galeno del Mal and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. — take on BirthRight’s Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey in a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarterfinal. With a place in the next round at stake, both duos must combine individual ability with effective tag-team coordination. The Wagner Brothers bring an established partnership into the match, while King and Dempsey will look to use their chemistry and tactical approach to progress.
Julius Creed and Brutus Creed, former winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, meet Hank Walker and Tank Ledger in the other quarterfinal. The Creed Brothers’ strength and explosive offence are cited as advantages, while Hank and Tank’s teamwork could present a difficult test. The result of this match will determine which team advances and keeps its hopes of winning the Dusty Cup alive.
The October 20 edition of WWE NXT originates from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando; fans in the United States can watch on The CW and viewers in India and several international markets can access the show on Netflix. Outcomes from the quarterfinal matches will decide which teams move into the next round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic as the brand progresses toward Halloween Havoc 2026.