Kota Ibushi finds a new partner for the 2016 Dusty Classic

Despite his status for the tournament being put in doubt when Hideo Itami was forced out of action with an injury, Kota Ibushi continued on in the second annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

It was announced by William Regal in a video on Thursday that Ibushi would team with WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins in the tournament. Ibushi and Perkins previously faced off in the semifinals of the Cruiserweight Classic, where Perkins picked up the win before going on to defeat Gran Metalik in the finals.

Ibushi and Perkins took on fellow CWC competitors Lince Dorado and Mustafa Ali in a first round tournament match at Thursday night’s NXT TV tapings.

Itami revealed in a video message on Thursday afternoon that he wouldn’t be able to compete in the Dusty Classic, but he vowed to return in time for NXT’s show in Osaka in December.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wednesday night that Itami suffered a serious neck injury earlier this month while teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura against Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss at an NXT live event.