Blockbuster WWE Announcement: 10 Major Names That Must Be Involved

WWE recently made a blockbuster announcement this week on NXT that sparked excitement among wrestling fans. During a backstage segment, General Manager Robert Stone revealed that the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is returning after two years. The tournament will kick off at the September 22 edition of NXT, putting the tag team division in the spotlight.

Several major teams from RAW, SmackDown, NXT, AAA and EVOLVE will compete in this contest. The participation of all the brands across every roster in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic indicates that WWE intends to make this year’s edition truly comprehensive. This opens the door for some of the best tag teams to be featured in this prestigious contest.

Here are 10 major names that must be involved in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic:

#5. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins (Street Profits)

The Street Profits is one of the most iconic tag teams in WWE who must participate in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins not only captured tag team championships but also delivered some pretty amazing matches over the course of their career. Their unmatched athleticism and high-energy charisma will add quite an interesting dynamic to the contest.

The inclusion of such a prominent team like Street Profits would raise the stakes, establishing the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic as a true proving ground for other teams. Ford and Dawkins have been away from WWE for quite some time, perhaps due to a lack of direction. The company therefore has a great opportunity to revive them by featuring the Street Profits in this prestigious tournament.

#4. Eric and Ivar (The War Raiders)

The War Raiders have been on a phenomenal run in Lucha Libre AAA lately. They however lost the AAA World Tag Team Championship at Triplemania 34 after an incredible run. And this recent setback makes it a necessity for WWE to put them in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic so that their momentum doesn’t cool off. Eric and Ivar have a deep history with NXT, which therefore makes their return to the brand poetic.

Bringing them back into the fold would raise the bar high, forcing every other team in the tournament to elevate their toughness. Eric and Ivar are the perfect example of old-school tag team warfare. Their in-ring style can create fascinating clashes in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic against prominent tag teams from NXT, RAW, SmackDown or EVOLVE.

#3. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal (Wagner Brothers)

The 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is expected to feature tag teams from Lucha Libre AAA and what better team to put in the spotlight than the Wagner Brothers!! El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal carry a deep legacy rooted in lucha libre prestige. The duo has been on an amazing run in AAA lately and also recently captured the AAA World Tag Team Championship at Triplemania 34.

Their inclusion in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic would completely shift the dynamics of the tournament. It would introduce a distinctly international flavor and high-stakes intrigue. Watching the Wagner Brothers clash with WWE’s top powerhouses and prominent teams would create some dream-match scenarios, making the tournament feel extra special.

#2. Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki (Bakusai)

The newly formed alliance of Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki has been one of the most fascinating tag teams on SmackDown. The Japanest duo of two of the most iconic names brings an incredible aura and prestige. Nakamura and Kyoki truly have the potential to deliver some jaw-dropping performances in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, making their entry a must.

Bakusai’s inclusion can inject a unique flavor into this prestigious contest in NXT. The newly formed tag team can lock horns with some of the best tag teams in this industry, delivering stellar matches. The pairing of Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki for such a high-stakes tournament would very well represent the unpredictable, star-studded spirit of the modern Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

#1. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso (The Usos)

The Usos are without a doubt one of the greatest tag teams in the history of WWE. If the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is set for an all-brand cross-promotional collision, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso’s involvement becomes extremely important. The duo brings tremendous star power to the table and is also a pivotal part of Roman Reigns’ Bloodline.

The participation of The Usos in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic would therefore raise the prestige of the tournament. It would attract more eyeballs to the product, as Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso bring main event credibility. Seeing WWE’s one of the most successful tag teams battle a pool of rising teams from all across the roster adds significant grandeur to the event.