Published: 4 hours ago by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: 4 hours ago by Connel Rumsey
Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.@connel1405
WWE
On last night’s episode of WWE NXT, the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic got underway with the first two matches of the tournament.
This marks the second version of the tournament to take place without a women’s version also taking place after the company ran a women’s Dusty Classic in both 2021 and 2022.
With the women’s division still thriving, here is a potential line up for a 2026 women’s version of the tournament.
Fatal Influence
The men’s Dusty Classic features 14 teams, with both the NXT and AAA Tag Team Champions getting immediate byes into the second round of the tournament.
As such, a women’s version would hypothetically have 15 teams, with the reigning Women’s Tag Team Champions receiving a bye, that being Fatal Influence.
The Judgment Day
Just like Fatal Influence, the Judgment Day would also consist of three members, opening up different variations for them during the tournament,
Though it would likely primarily be Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez teaming, Liv Morgan can also sub in when needed.
Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam 2025.
What initially seemed to be a short lived alliance between Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss has now turned into an over year long best friendship between the two.
While Tatum Paxley has thrown a wrench into their alliance, it would likely still be the two of them teaming in a potential Dusty Classic.
Las Toxicas
Flammer is the longest reigning AAA Reina de Reinas Champion in history
Las Toxicas have been the primary antagonistic force in AAA for the entire time it has been owned by WWE, with Flammer only just losing her Reina de Reinas Championship at TripleMania.
With AAA stars part of this year’s tournament, any combination of Flammer, Maravilla and La Hiedra would likely be in a women’s bracket.
Michin & B-Fab
Frequently appearing on SmackDown, Michin and B-Fab have begun finding their tag team chemistry as part of their current group with Jade Cargill.
Unlike the aforementioned trios, this would likely solely be for Michin and B-Fab, with Jade sitting out.
The Irresistible Forces
The Irresistible Forces reigned as Women’s Tag Team Champions earlier this year, with the powerful alliance between Nia Jax and Lash Legend striking fear into the rest of the division.
Every bracket needs the dominant force to overcome, which is what Nia and Lash would be.
WrenQCC (Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair)
Our first NXT representation, with the tournament taking place on NXT television, Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair would be among the favourites to win a women’s Dusty Cup.
Kendal will almost certainly win back the NXT Women’s Championship soon, and having her compete in a women’s Dusty Classic would be a nice sidequest.
Tiffany Stratton & Chelsea Green
Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton have been officially aligned together on WWE TV since June.
Another alliance that seemed destined to be short-lived, Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton have been by each other’s side since June.
Reigning as WWE Women’s Champion would naturally make Chelsea and Tiffany among the favourites to win the Cup.
Nikkita Lyons & Sloane Jacobs
While she has been on NXT television for several years now, Nikkita Lyons has finally found her footing on WWE Evolve as the reigning Evolve Women’s Champion.
With Evolve representation in the Dusty Classic, Nikkita and Sloane Jacobs would almost certainly feature in a women’s version of the tournament.
Thea Hail & La Catalina
On the September 22 episode of NXT, AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina teamed up with Thea Hail to face off against Kelani Jordan and Zaria.
With them showing great chemistry together, the two of them would make a fun addition to a women’s Dusty Classic.
Faby Apache & Nattie
After disappearing from WWE television earlier this year, Nattie has been appearing semi-regularly in AAA, including locking up several times with fellow legend Faby Apache.
If the two of them were to come together as part of a Women’s Dusty Classic, they’d certainly be a team to beat with their combined legendary careers.
Bayley & AJ Lee
AJ Lee and Bayley faced off for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on Raw back in March
While AJ Lee has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania 42, it seems as though she will eventually be back in the fold in the company.
Now Bayley is also back on WWE television, her and AJ coming together as an alliance would make for a great team to add to the division.
The Bella Twins
Another legendary duo that were recently robbed of their crowning moment, the Bella Twins are still waiting in the wings following Brie’s injury.
When both are healthy and ready to compete, a potential women’s Dusty Classic would be a fun way to reintroduce the pair as a formidable force in the division.
Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia
Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia have been connected since they both signed with WWE in 2024
Coming into WWE NXT together at the same time in late 2024, WWE has yet to truly expand on the connection and friendship between Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia on the main roster.
With the Dusty Classic often serving as a launching pad for new teams throughout the years, it would be a good way to finally get Stephanie and Giulia together.
RHIYO
Definitely the team to beat in a 2026 Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, the nature of the tournament not being brand specific would give us one more chance to see Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY team together.
IYO is no stranger to the Women’s Dusty Cup, as she won the tournament with Kay Lee Ray back in 2022.
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