At NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, MSK faced Grizzled Young Veterans in the finals of the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Going into this match, Grizzled Young Veterans, the team of Zack Gibson and James Drake, were the finalists in last year’s tournament. Despite a hard-fought effort, they lost to 2020’s winners The BroserWeights, the team of Pete Dunne and Riddle. Meanwhile, MSK made an immediate impact on NXT. Nash Carter and Wes Lee tore through the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating such teams including Legado Del Fantasma en route to the finals. Simply put, MSK and Grizzled Young Veterans had something to prove. In the end, it was MSK that secured the victory.
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Grizzled Young Veterans started the match fast and gritty, keeping Nash Carter on the defensive and away from his partner in Wes Lee. Utilizing his fast-paced offense, Carter was able to get the upper hand on James Drake. Carter tagged in Lee as MSK’s teamwork was on full display in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Drake tagged Gibson, but Lee kept the momentum in his team’s favor. MSK performed a duet of planchas on Grizzled Young Veterans, their high-flying offense proving effective. However, a shot from Gibson on the outside dropped Lee, shifting the momentum back in favor of Grizzled Young Veterans.
Back in the ring, Gibson slowed the pace, attacking Carter. Drake continued the attack, keeping Carter from making the tag to Lee. Grizzled Young Veterans were vicious in their onslaught. However, despite several pin attempts by Gibson, Carter refused to stay down. Carter fought back, reversing a suplex attempt from Drake. Gibson distracted Lee enough to allow Grizzled Young Veterans to hit a tandem maneuver behind the official’s back. Even still, Carter stayed in the match, refusing to stay down for the three-count.
You'll always see something you've never seen before when MSK is in the ring! #NXTTakeOver #DustyClassic @WesLee_WWE @ZackGibson01 @JamesDrake_GYT pic.twitter.com/KDETU2JpPn
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 15, 2021
Eventually, Carter made the tag to Lee, who entered the match like a house of fire. Lee utilized a series of fast-paced maneuvers before hitting a plancha, over the turnbuckle, to the outside on Grizzled Young Veterans. Back in the ring, Lee hit a handspring pele kick on Gibson, but it was only good for a two-count. Soon, Gibson caught Lee on the top rope, though not without assistance from Drake. Lee reversed a powerbomb attempt from Gibson before tagging in Carter. MSK hit a series of tandem maneuvers on Grizzled Young Veterans, the match shifting in favor of the upstart NXT team. Carter’s intensity was undeniable as he laid out Gibson with vicious strikes followed by a cutter.
Gibson attempted to fight back against MSK, hitting a running knee to the face of Lee. Gibson tagged in Drake. Grizzled Young Veterans hit Helter Skelter followed by a 450 splash on Lee, but shockingly enough, the young WWE Superstar kicked out. Carter soon returned to the match, MSK hitting tandem offense of their own. Lee tagged in Carter, who hit a top rope senton on Drake. Lee followed up with a corkscrew splash on Drake. From there, Lee covered Drake for a near fall.
Very smart teamwork by @JamesDrake_GYT & @ZackGibson01, but it isn't enough to put away @NashCarterWWE! #NXTTakeOver #DustyClassic @WesLee_WWE pic.twitter.com/Go4blxEJ7I
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) February 15, 2021
On the outside, Grizzled Young Veterans hit Lee with a tope Doomsday Device on the outside. This left a weakened Carter in the ring. Nonetheless, Carter attempted to fight back. Howver, Grizzled Young Veterans’ number game proved to be too overwhelming. Even so, Carter was able to kick out of a pinfall attempt. Gibson tagged in Drake, but not before slapping Carter across the face. Grizzled Young Veterans looked to put away Carter, only for Lee to make the save. Carter tagged Lee and one tandem maneuver later, MSK won the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
With this victory, MSK have won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic for the first time. Furthermore, they did so while just spending a little over one month on NXT programming. As the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, MSK have earned a future NXT Tag Team Championship match. The date this match will take place has yet to be decided.
ALL HEART. ALL MSK. ALL DAY.
MSK continues their undefeated streak by defeating @JamesDrake_GYT & @ZackGibson01 in the #DustyClassic Finals! #NXTTakeOver @WesLee_WWE @NashCarterWWE pic.twitter.com/tfVxS0ES9j
— WWE (@WWE) February 15, 2021
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