First team advances in WWE NXT women’s Dusty Classic

Image: WWE

The inaugural women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicked off with an upset on tonight’s episode of NXT.

In the first match of the tournament, Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter defeated Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez to advance to the semifinals. Catanzaro & Carter got the win after NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai made her return by attacking Martinez during the match. There had been an angle on NXT last month where Martinez returned to the brand and attacked Shirai. Later on tonight’s show, Storm and Shirai had to be separated by officials backstage.

Catanzaro pinned Storm after hitting an innovative Phoenix Splash senton from the top rope.

After defeating Storm & Martinez, Catanzaro & Carter said they’re going to make history by winning the entire tournament.

Catanzaro & Carter will face either Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez or Aliyah & Jessi Kamea in the semifinals.

The women’s Dusty Classic is an eight-team tournament. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Gigi Dolin (Priscilla Kelly) & Cora Jade (Elayna Black), Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs. Marina Shafir & Zoey Stark (Lacey Ryan), and Kai & Gonzalez vs. Aliyah & Kamea are the remaining first round matches. Dolin, Jade, and Stark are all new WWE signees.

The first round of the women’s Dusty Classic will continue on this Friday’s episode of 205 Live.