The 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic began on WWE NXT with the first two teams advancing to the next stage. Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno, along with the Creed Brothers, secured victories on Tuesday to move forward in the tournament.
Moreno and Dar battled Los Americanos in a fast-paced match. Rayo and Bravo attempted to control Moreno by isolating him in their corner, but Moreno managed to tag in Dar, who applied a guillotine choke on Rayo. Bravo tried to interfere, but Moreno caught him in a standing submission hold. Despite Bravo overpowering Moreno and slamming him into Dar’s hold, Moreno and Dar kept their momentum. Bravo lifted Moreno onto his shoulders and then hoisted Dar from the top rope, spinning both before driving them to the mat. Although Los Americanos executed double headbutts from the top rope, they could not keep their opponents down. Dar nearly forced a submission with a knee bar, but Bravo countered with a suplex. Ultimately, Moreno and Dar triumphed by hitting Bravo with a leg sweep and forearm combination.
The Creed Brothers, Julius and Brutus, faced off against WWE EVOLVE’s Jax Presley and Harley Riggins in a swift contest. Presley and Riggins were quickly overwhelmed, though Presley attempted a comeback with a back body drop. Brutus thwarted that by taking Presley out on the outside stairs. Riggins nearly pinned Julius, but Brutus tried to break the hold with a Brutus Bomb only to accidentally land on his own brother when Riggins dodged. Brutus then knocked Riggins off the top rope, allowing the Creed Brothers to finish the match with a double sit-down chokeslam.
Dar and Moreno will compete against the winner of Fraxiom versus DarkState, while the Creed Brothers await the winner of Tokyo Bad Boys versus Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux.
Fan Take:
This tournament’s early matches showcased incredible teamwork and resilience, setting the stage for an exciting progression in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. For fighting fans, these bouts highlight how dynamic tag team wrestling can be, promising fresh rivalries and high-stakes drama that can elevate the sport’s entertainment value.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
