It’s the first show from Oct. 13’s taping at Full Sail (spoilers from which are here), where NXT will finish building toward TakeOver: Toronto. Here's what to expect.
The Headliner
The #GreatestManThatEverLived @AustinAries enters the 2016 #DustyClassic TOMORROW NIGHT on @WWENXT at 8/7c only on @WWENetwork! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/gtZ1WKLiOS
— WWE (@WWE) October 18, 2016
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic rolls on, and we’re set for two first round matches tonight. This one will likely land in the main event spot, and it’s not because of the recently re-christened Otis Dozovic (all due respect to Wisconsin amateur wrestling legend Niko Bogojevic).
No, it’s all about Austin Aries “mystery partner”. And while WWE didn’t explicitly spoil it, if you were online last Thursday night, you can probably put two-and-two together (hint: A-Double isn’t teaming with Mickie James).
With Hideo Itami on the shelf for at least the next month, could a tag team victory be in the cards for the Greatest Man Who Ever Lived and his teammate? We’ll find out tonight when they have Dozovic and his partner Tucker Knight. That duo, aka Heavy Machinery, is a popular act on NXT house shows, and won’t roll over for an indy legend or two.
The Title Scene
Samoa Joe’s blackmail scheme backfired on him last week, when not only did General Manager William Regal hand him the NXT championship, but the King of Strong Style returned... and he didn’t seem any worse for wear. Shinsuke Nakamura may still be sore from Joe’s brutal assault, but it didn’t stop him from taking out a whole bunch of people on his way to Kinshasa-ing the Samoan Submission Machine to close last week’s show.
It hasn’t happened on our screens yet, but the company definitely spoiled news that the aforementioned former WWE Women’s and Divas (and TNA Knockouts) champion James is back to give NXT Women’s titleholder Asuka a bit of a challenge while the rest of the roster tries to get on her level.
Tag champs the Revival are already into the second round of the Dusty, where barring a major upset in the coming weeks, they’ll once again square off with their fiercest rivals, Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano.
Other stuff to keep an eye on:
- Our other Dusty Classic first round match finds the dancing dream team of No Way Jose & Rich Swann battling Raw (and EVOLVE)’s Drew Gulak & Tony Nese.
- Those teams will be looking to join Authors of Pain, TM-61, Dash & Dawson and SAnitY in round two.
- Speaking of Eric Young’s new faction, will we hear from EY tonight? Or get to see Nikki Cross kick some more ass?
- With Hideo Itami’s injury, Kota Ibushi needs a partner for the Dusty. Is that a spoiler? I’m so confused.
- Not confused by how awesome Bobby Roode vs. Tye Dillinger will be, now that the Glorious One turned his back on the Perfect Ten last week.
- Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for Cedric Alexander to respond to Andrade “Cien” Almas betrayal from the week before!
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See you tonight for NXT, Cagesiders!