WWE NXT results: First round of Dusty Rhodes Classic begins

The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicked off on Wednesday as teams faced off to move on in the 2021 edition of the tournament. 

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil is in the rearview, but that doesn’t mean any of the action has slowed down on the Wednesday night show. The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic was set to kick off and there were other questions to answer around other feuds going on within the roster.

Shotzi Blackheart started the night, as she and Candice LeRae continued their feud. Blackheart came out the gate quickly, throwing elbows at a grounded LeRae. LeRae struggled for much of the match as Blackheart bullied her both instead and out of the ring. But it was the presence of Indi Hartwell that helped LeRae with the distraction.

It was with that distraction that LeRae took over in this match. The tide turned for Blackheart after landing a series of kicks on LeRae, but she wouldn’t stay down for the pin. The two ladies continued to exchange offense. It wouldn’t be enough for the victory though, as another distraction by Hartwell led to LeRae hitting a Neck Breaker from the top for the win.

The Grizzled Young Veterans were out next for another shot at winning the Dusty Classic. Last year they ended up in the finals before losing and the 2021 run started with a match against Ever-Rise.

Ever-Rise attempted to get under GYV’s nerves to start the match, but that backfired in their faces. But the frequent pestering helped Ever-Rise leave GYV rattled until they got sent from the ring to regroup. Once Gibson and Drake were able to calm down, they took control of the match. GYV were doing a great job keeping Ever-Rise separated, isolating Parker in their corner for majority of the match.

Ever-Rise nearly had the match won at one point, but Gibson was able to make the save from outside. Ever-Rise would try again but not only did they fail, but Parker would eat the Ticket to Mayhem, giving the GYV the win as they advanced in the tournament.

Dexter Lumis recently started pestering Johnny Gargano and that led to the two men having a singles match on Wednesday.

Gargano didn’t have much of answer for Lumis early in the match, even trying to Superplex him from the top rope. Lumis turned the position in his favor but made the mistake of going for a Senton, missing and crashing to his back. That was the opening that Gargano needed to start to punish Lumis on the mat. Lumis turned things around after some counters, a Spinebuster and more.

Lumis started to roll, but Austin Theory caused a distraction that cost him on the outside. Gargano almost hit the One Final Beat, but Theory caused another distraction. As Lumis tossed Theory across the ring, Gargano rolled him up for the victory.

MSK made their debut against Jake Atlas and Swerve Scott in tag team action. Atlas started out the match against Carter, beating him to the punch early. Scott tried to continue the momentum but found himself nearly being pinned for his hard work. Lee tagged in to take over for his team.

The action ended up outside the ring with members of both teams taking dives over the top rope. Back in the ring the action continued with Scott going to his grappling game to slow Carter down. The finish came when Scott found himself alone in the ring with MSK, taking an assisted Blockbuster that led to the victory.

Xia Li was out next with the intention to hurt someone and that’s just what she did. Two strikes and the match was over.

The main event of the night was Breezango versus the Undisputed Era. This match brought out two former tag team champions to move onto the second round of the Dusty Classic. The match got off to a textbook start with both teams exchanging holds and counters.

UE found themselves at a disadvantage early in the match, as Adam Cole was isolated in the wrong corner. Things broke down though once both members tagged in their partners, picking up the pace of the match. As that happened, things picked up outside the ring as Kyle O’Reilly was attacked outside the ring. Breezango tried to take advantage of that moment and that’s exactly what happened. Until Fandango ate a Superkick as he jumped off the top rope. Cole pinned him right there to move UE into the second round.

WWE NXT Results

• Candice LeRae defeated Shotzi Blackheart via pinfall
• Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Ever-Rise via pinfall
• Johnny Gargano defeated Dexter Lumis via pinfall
• MSK defeated Jake Atlas and Swerve Scott via pinfall
• Xia Li wins in a squash match via pinfall
• Undisputed Era defeated Breezango via pinfall