It will be an emotional night at NXT TakeOver: Respect, as two teams battle it out to pay tribute to their mentor in the final of the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The American Dream’s family will be well represented on Oct. 7, as his sons, Cody and Dustin Rhodes, will be on hand to present a trophy to the tournament winners.
Full TakeOver: Respect coverage
The tournament was announced by NXT General Manager William Regal during the historic TakeOver: Brooklyn broadcast on WWE Network as a way for NXT to pay tribute to the late WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes. In addition to the impact Rhodes made inside the ring, he also left a tremendous mark on NXT, where he served a mentor to the entire roster, helping them find their way in the sports-entertainment world.
Watch Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic highlights
In the month since, 16 teams have battled it out in tribute to the late Hall of Famer, leaving it all on the line in hopes of making it to TakeOver: Respect. Now, only four teams remain. They will square off in the semifinals early in the night, with the winners of each match returning to the ring for the final bout. The semifinal matches are:
NXT Champion Finn Bálor & Samoa Joe vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder ( PREVIEW)
Jason Jordan & Chad Gable vs. Baron Corbin & Rhyno ( PREVIEW)
Who will win two grueling matches in one night, pay tribute to their mentor and walk out of Orlando, Fla., as the winners of the first Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic? Find out at NXT TakeOver: Respect, live and only on WWE Network, Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
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