WWE presented NXT’s second episode of 2021, with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicking off
1. Candice LeRae def. Shotzi Blackheart
The Grudge match saw LeRae and Blackheart put an end to their heated rivalry. LeRae, with some help from Indi Hartwell, came out on top after hitting a neck breaker from the middle rope
Finn Balor entered the ring, wondering who he will face next after defeating Kyle O’Reilly last week. Pete Dunne interrupted, with Lorcan and Burch, and proceeded to beat Balor down. O’Reilly, Adam Cole, and Roderick Strong made the save, but Balor left the ring without saying anything to the group.
Backstage: Johhny Gargano promised that The Way will win both the Men’s and Women’s Dusty Rhodes Cups. Austin Theory brought an envelope that featured drawings of Gargano and Theory which annoyed both the stars.
2. Round 1 | Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic | Grizzled Young Vets def. Ever Rise
William Regal officially announced the start of 2021’s version of the tag team tourney, as Grizzled Young Vets marched on to the second round with a win over the cocky Ever Rise. The duo hit Ticket to Mayhem on Martel for the win.
A video package aired with Raquel Gonzalez announcing her intentions for the NXT Women’s Championship, following her win against Rhea Ripley last week.
Backstage: A dejected Blackheart looked forward to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, as Ember Moon appeared and the duo set out to make history.
3. Johnny Gargano def. Dexter Lumis
Similar to LeRae’s match from earlier, Gargano ended up on top in this match, with a great amount of help from his apprentice, Theory. Gargano took advantage of the distraction and rolled Lumis up for the win.
Post-match, the duo attacked Lumis further before Kushida appeared and made the save. Kushida and Lumis applied simultaneous submissions and stood tall to end the segment.
Backstage: Pete Dunne and his men were frustrated with TUE, and vowed to take out Kyle O’Reilly who was standing between Dunne and the NXT title.
Wade Barett had a sitdown interview with Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher who threw verbal jabs at each other, ahead of their next match inside the Fight Pit next week.
Backstage: The Undisputed Era said they aren’t worried about Dunne and his goons, and O’Reilly said he’ll stay at ringside to ensure no dirty business goes down in the main-event.
4. Round 1 | Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic | MSK def. Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott and Jake Atlas
MSK, formerly known as the Rascalz in Impact Wrestling, debuted on NXT and immediately showed their talents by getting a win over the singles stars. The finish saw Wes Lee hit a Blockbuster on Scott, and Nash Carter pinned him.
5. Xia Li def. Enhancement Talent
Xia Li took two quick strikes to finish off her opponent, as Boa and their mystery woman looked on from ringside. Post-match, Li was given instructions to attack further by the mystery woman, and she obliged.
Backstage: Atlas and Scott continued to have words after their loss, before Bronson Reed stepped in and got in Scott’s face. The duo stared down at each other to end the segment.
6. Round 1 | Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic | The Undisputed Era def. Breezango
The two former tag champs produced a fantastic main-event, filled with several close calls. Pete Dunne and his goons interfered, but Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly played defense. Dunne and co. further damaged O’Reilly’s jaw. Adam Cole ended up countering Fandango’s leg-drop from the top with a superkick to win the match, despite the distractions.
Post-match, the heels taunted TUE who checked on O’Reilly as the show went off the air.
