NXT: The Dusty Classic shows good tag team wrestling exists in WWE

Both the men’s and women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classics are moving full steam ahead this week. After last week’s action, there was a lot to talk about. Whether it is the surprise teaming of Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher, or Kacy Catanzaro going crazy off the top rope, fans were pleased with the tag team action that the WWE put forth. However, one must wonder if this division can remain relevant in a promotion that has nearly stricken the idea of quality tag team wrestling in a professional wrestling promotion.

The next round matchups are something to look forward to this week. On the men’s side the pairing between the Undisputed Era against Thatcher and Ciampa, plus there’s Lucha House Party taking on Legado del Fantasma. Do not forget about the other two matches and the women’s finishing up their first round. Tag team wrestling is center stage in NXT. The division is not what it once was as teams like American Alpha, the Revival, Mustache Mountain, and the Street Profits are long gone. But the 2021 edition of the Dusty Cup has reminded everyone that WWE can do great tag team wrestling when the company chooses to do so.

Tag team wrestling on the main roster

Is this just a flash in the pan or a return to when tag teams were great in the WWE? The main roster does not create much hope for a positive outcome. Charlotte Flair and Asuka are the women’s tag team champions, but both involved in singles storylines. Even as Asuka heads into the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season as the Raw women’s champion. The Hurt Business, Raw’s tag team champions, are already hinting at a possible split, just months after winning the belts. As for SmackDown’s tag team champions, Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode, they are focused on the individual goal of winning the Rumble as well. Not much to grasp ahold of for those that love tag team wrestling.

Will a well-performing Dusty Classic change things? Probably not, when the main decision-maker has openly stated his hatred for tag team wrestling. It is unfortunate because, with the depth of talent on the WWE roster, this is yet another area in which they could easily excel when compared to their competitors. Unfortunately, this is yet another choice that has become too stereotypical of the biggest promotion in professional wrestling.

However, that does not mean that wrestling fans should not enjoy every moment of the 2021 Dusty Rhodes tournament. There is too much to look forward to in these matches. Upsets will happen and perhaps this is the moment in which a team like Kayden Carter and Catanzaro get elevated beyond their current role and showcased as the talented wrestlers that they are.