The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic didn’t return to WWE by accident. According to NXT General Manager Robert Stone, bringing the tournament back was something he had been planning almost from the moment he took over the job.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Stone revealed he made himself a list of goals shortly after becoming NXT General Manager, and reviving one of the brand’s most popular tournaments was near the top of it.
“So now, about eight months that I’ve been GM of NXT. When I first started, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish within my first year. One of the things I put on my list was definitely bringing back the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.”
For Stone, the decision wasn’t just about bringing back a familiar event. Having spent most of his own career as a tag team wrestler, he said the Dusty Classic was always one of his favorite tournaments, and he believes it’s still one of the best ways to build new stars.
“I was a tag team wrestler for the majority of my career, and I was always a fan of watching the Classic. So bringing it back in 2026—we have so many tag teams on the show, and the tournament creates stars—so it was a no-brainer. At some point, I was gonna get it done, and now it was a great time.”
Stone’s comments come after WWE officially announced the tournament’s return on NXT. This year’s edition won’t be limited to the developmental brand either, with teams from RAW, SmackDown and NXT all set to compete.
Stone has also started unveiling the field. During the same interview, he confirmed that The Creed Brothers, AAA World Tag Team Champions Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno, and NXT Tag Team Champions The Vanity Project will all compete in this year’s tournament. He also revealed that the two championship teams will receive first-round byes, while the remaining 12 teams will be announced through NXT’s social media channels later this week.
For Stone, though, the tournament’s return isn’t just another announcement on the calendar. It’s one of the first major goals he set for himself after becoming NXT General Manager, and one he believes can once again create the next generation of WWE tag team stars.
What do you think about Robert Stone bringing back the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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