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WWE NXT Recap & Reactions (Sep. 22, 2026): Castling

Live coverage and related reports for WWE NXT Recap & Reactions (Sep. 22, 2026): Castling.

AI Story Summary

What happened?

WWE NXT returned to Orlando with the announcement and kickoff of the revived Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, the first edition since the Wolf Dogs (Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker) won in 2024. NXT GM Robert Stone revealed the tournament last week and participants and the bracket were released across the week. Cody Rhodes opened the show with a WWE-produced video montage, and the tournament's opening match aired live, with the field described as largely NXT-heavy but including talent from Raw, SmackDown, Evolve, and AAA.

Key Takeaways

  • Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is back after nearly three years.
  • NXT GM Robert Stone announced the tournament; the bracket and participants were released during the week.
  • The tournament field is NXT-focused but features entrants from Raw, SmackDown, Evolve, and AAA.
  • Cody Rhodes narrated the opening WWE-produced montage to kick off the night.
  • The tournament's first match aired live and was presented as a strong start.

AI Timeline

Announcement

NXT GM Robert Stone announced the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on last week's show.

Bracket Releases

Participants and the tournament bracket were gradually revealed throughout the week.

Show Opener

Cody Rhodes opened the episode with a WWE-produced video montage celebrating Dusty and past Classic winners.

Tournament Begins

The Dusty Classic officially kicked off in Orlando with its first match, described as an impactful start.

Context

The previous Dusty Cup was won by the Wolf Dogs (Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker) at Vengeance Day 2024 over Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes.

Model: gpt-5-miniGenerated: Sep 23, 4:31 AM

Sources Covering This Story

Cageside Seats

Timeline

Sep 23, 4:14 AM

WWE NXT Recap & Reactions (Sep. 22, 2026): Castling

Cageside Seats • WWE

One of the big stories out of Orlando this past week is the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. It has been almost three years since Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker, then known as the Wolf Dogs, knocked off Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes at Vengeance Day 2024 to win the most recent Dusty Cup. NXT GM Robert Stone announced the tournament’s return on last week’s show, and the participants and bracket were gradually released throughout the rest of the week. All in all, the field is pretty NXT-heavy, as to be expected, but stars from Raw, SmackDown, Evolve, and AAA were thrown in for a little added flavor. After Cody Rhodes kicked off the show, narrating yet another fantastic WWE-produced video montage featuring clips of Dusty and past Classic winners, the first match in the tournament kicked things off with a bang. Like a certain United States Champion, whose controversial new T-shirt lasted on WWE Shop for only a few days, might say: Let’s talk about it! The Dusty Classic begin