Several matchups are shaping up in the tournament, with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in full swing. The tournament has been taking place on both NXT and 205 Live shows, with teams advancing. Last week saw Pete Dunne, along with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch, interject themselves into one matchup. Despite their best efforts, the Undisputed Era advanced to the next round of the tournament. The problem was that Dunne targeted the already injured jaw of Kyle O’Reilly. NXT Champion Finn Balor rushed the ring coming to the aid of O’Reilly and the UE. Fans also witnessed the debut of MSK, Wes Lee, and Nash Carter as they were victorious over Scott and Atlas. This week the Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicks off as the men’s classic continues. Fans expect all this and more on the latest WWE NXT preview for 01/20/21.
__________________
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher
If someone leaves this match with their head attached, we would be surprised. With each matchup between them, it appears the stakes become higher, and the challenge becomes greater. These two are sure to step into the ring with one another. It will be less about a technical battle but something out of the UFC. This has to please fans thirsty to see both Ciampa and Thatcher want to battle with each other in a cage.
The Fight Pit isn’t new to Thatcher as he previously fought Matt Riddle in it with Kurt Angle as the special guest referee. Now Thatcher will force Ciampa to raise his level of violence to a whole new level. This could very well be the match that puts Thatcher at the forefront of and NXT men’s division. Ciampa has been the NXT Champion and battled in some of the brutal brawls in the brand. Will he be able to withstand Thatcher’s attack?
WWE NXT Preview for 01/20/21
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter vs Toni Storm & Mercedes Martinez
The first round of the NXT Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic begins with its first round of matches. Catanzaro and Carter are familiar with one another teaming together on NXT in the past. This time around, they step into the ring with two established women and former champions. If any first-round match certainly breeds like a David vs. Goliath matchup on the surface, it is this one. That said, fans can’t help but want to pull for Catanzaro and Carter.
The two smaller and quicker competitors hope to blitz Storm and Martinez with their speed. They will need to in order to keep them off in order to overcome Storm and Martinez’s stiff strikes. The biggest concern has to be what will come about once Martinez dictates the pace of the match. The prospect is quite frightening for Catanzaro & Carter.
Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado vs. Imperium
In the first of the two Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 1st round matches, we have the former NXT UK Tag Team Champions face Lucha House Party. This is another matchup where technically sound brawlers will face off with a more acrobatic and high flying combination. For Dorado and Metalik, their return to NXT is met with a major opportunity. Will they be able to overcome the stiff strikes and even more polished kicks of the former NXT UK tag champions?
Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel are on the road to redemption with this tournament. Their intentions are clear. Carve through this tournament and capture the NXT Tag Team Championships. Will this match prove to be Imperium’s redemption song, or will Lucha House Party move to the next round?
WWE NXT Preview for 01/20/21
KUSHIDA & Leon Ruff vs. Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory
Tonight’s final Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first-round match up involves four men with history with one another. Ruff and KUSHIDA have battled one another over the NXT North American title. In fact, it was Theory that was revealed as the one to help Gargano to recapture the NXT North American title. It now appears as though it’s KUSHIDA that has his sights set on Gargano and his championship.
Before that matchup does take place, however, the pairing of Ruff and KUSHIDA look to spoil the party for The Way. Could the Cleveland ‘jinx’ continue on with this matchup for Gargano and Theory? Gargano and Theory could come together to show that The Way is exactly the team to beat in this tournament.
*****
Be sure to stay tuned to the Pro Wrestling Post for this and additional stories from the wrestling world. Readers can rely on Pro Wrestling Post to be their daily source for all things inside the squared circle. As a result, readers can expect daily news, history, and so much more. Please visit WWE NXT’s official website here for news on the promotion and upcoming events.
