5 most likely teams to win the Dusty Rhodes Classic

While it had appeared as though the Dusty Rhodes Classic wouldn’t be revived, those plans changed with the announcement by NXT General Manager William Regal, of this year’s tournament, the third annual edition.

However, unlike the first two tournaments, this one has a much smaller collection of teams involved. Normally there has been 16 teams involved, but this year is made up of only eight.

There are fewer possibilities as to who will walk away as the winners, however, having fewer tag teams could mean more intense matches, and the chance of rivalries coming out of the tournament.

Which of the eight teams will walk away as the winners, and which tag teams are less likely to win? Here are five potential winners of the third annual Dusty Rhodes Classic.

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#5 Heavy Machinery

Will these massive men walk away as the winners of the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Classic?

This duo is a very interesting tandem and has previously challenged for the NXT tag team championship. Now a year removed from that push, this young and hungry tag team will unquestionably showcase just how intense they can be as a tag team.

Dozovic and Knight are two homegrown talents that may very well go far, if not win the 3rd annual Dusty Rhodes Classic because they have a number of the qualities that the brand may want to push.

They have youth, size and an intense nature that makes them a threat in the ring, one fans can truly get behind. Their first-round match is against another favorite in Sanity. A win by Tucker and Knight against an experienced former champion like Eric Young would indicate management stands behind them and believes in them.

Could Tucker and Knight walk away from the tournament as the winners? It could very well happen.

#4 Street Profits

Will Ford and Hawkins gain a championship shot against the Undisputed Era?

If there is one team that shows signs of having the most charm and charisma of any tandem on the brand since the departure of Enzo Amore and Big Cass, it is the duo of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins.

The Street Profits infectious attitude coupled with their ability to generate a reaction from the crowd enabled them to catch on in late 2017, and they have continued to thrive moving into 2018.

The duo has already taken part in a match to determine the number one contenders for the Undisputed Era's tag team championship. While they were unsuccessful in that match, they have continued to generate a reaction from the crowd, getting over along the way.

This tandem could surprise fans by ultimately winning the Dusty Rhodes classic.

Could they, in fact, walk away from the winners after only being together for a very short time? Look for them to be a threat.

#3 Moustache Mountain

Could Bate and Seven be the duo that win the NXT tag team championship match at NXT Takeover?

Many have wondered what will become of Tyler Bate. After winning the WWE United Kingdom tournament and becoming the inaugural champion, he appeared to be on top of the UK wrestling world.

He is young, talented and possesses an incredible moveset that showcases his athleticism and ability to weave together both the new school with the old school of wrestling.

However, after holding the title for a few months, it appeared as though the focus of the UK championship was moved away from Bate and onto Pete Dunne.

What this has done is opened things up for the duo of Bate and Trent Seven to showcase what has made them successful as a tag team in the United Kingdom for the North American audience. It has been something fans have seen on occasion in North America, but not often have they truly seen how effective they are together.

Their teamwork certainly leaves the possibility open for several thrilling moments on their way to capturing the third annual Dusty Rhodes tag team classic tournament.

#2 Authors Of Pain

Could Paul Ellering's men once again emerge the winners of the Dusty Rhodes classic?

In the first match of the Dusty Rhodes Classic, the Authors of Pain reasserted themselves as the most dominant tag team in NXT. With Paul Ellering by their side, Akam and Razar advanced after a win over TM-61 in their first-round match.

The early belief was that this tandem would not advance, as the former champions haven’t been pushed the same as they were after capturing the NXT tag team championships.

Miller and Thorne had so much made out of their return, it led fans to believe that the story being told was that they would have beat the 2016 winners, in a rematch of the finals, but that wasn’t the case.

The AOP appeared absolutely dominant as they showcased how dangerous they can be, with their elimination of Thorne via a powerbomb from the inside the ring to the ring apron and thence to the floor.

Could the AOP be on a collision course once again with the Undisputed Era at NXT Takeover: New Orleans?

#1 Sanity

Could Sanity emerge as the winners and get their rematch for the NXT championships?

Since their debut, Sanity has shown that they are a group to be feared. Whether it was their 'Purge' like attire or anarchic attitude, Sanity has proven during their time in NXT that challengers should quake in their boots.

Despite experiencing a change of personnel since their first appearance, they are no less of a force to be reckoned with. Many saw what Alexander Wolfe is capable of after he was an integral part of their NXT championship match against the Authors of Pain when they won the titles.

Although they are no longer champions, they are still a force regardless who their opposition happens to be. Their involvement in the tournament could lead to a number of potential finishes, one being that since they emerge the victors.

Sanity is definitely a threat to win the Classic and regains the popularity that made them as successful as they were as champions.