NXT Results: Top Champion pinned; RAW Superstars confront Dusty Cup winners

Present and, possibly, future WWE Women's Tag Team Champions?

NXT Dusty Cup Presentation Ceremony

WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix hosted the NXT Dusty Cup Presentation Ceremony. Phoenix said that the men's and women's tournaments lived up to the hype, delivering some masterful tag team matches. MSK debuted in the tournament and went all the way to the finals at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day, knocking off 2020 Dusty Cup runner-ups, Grizzled Young Veterans.

Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez ran the gauntlet, defeating Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon in the finals.

When you win the #DustyClassic and are undefeated in #WWENXT. 💚🖤 @NashCarterWWE @WesLee_WWE pic.twitter.com/dyBffUndVE

— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2021

MSK were brought out first, with Nash Carter and Wes Lee challenging Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan for the NXT Tag Team Titles on March 3rd. Would they be the ones to knock One-Two off the top of the division?

Next up were the first-ever NXT Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winners, Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez. The Captain of Team Kick stated that they were, without a doubt, the best team in the tournament. Before they could continue, WWE Women's Tag Champions Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax made their entrance.

Baszler, someone whose NXT career revolved around snapping Dakota Kai's arm, attempted to intimidate their new challengers. Kai didn't back down, and said that Baszler ran with her tail between her legs after losing to Rhea Ripley...the same Ripley that Gonzalez beat in a Last Woman's Standing Match a few weeks ago.

#MSK and @TheBethPhoenix have the right idea!!!🍿🍿🍿🍿 @DakotaKai_WWE @RaquelWWE @NiaJaxWWE @QoSBaszler #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/4e5rdjUpPA

— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2021

The Queen of Spades reminded Kai what she did to her years ago, leading to Kai promising to kick Baszler's head clean off. MSK and Phoenix were in the corner with...where did they get popcorn from?

On March 3rd, the champs will put their belts on the line and plan on ruining the run of Kai and Gonzalez. The new No.1 contenders promised to finally kick the champs off of their throne once and for all.

On March 3rd, both NXT Dusty Cup-winning teams could walk away with some new hardware.

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Kushida vs Tyler Rust w/Malcolm Bivens on NXT

Tyler Rust attempted to outwrestle the Time Splitter of NXT but obviously got nowhere with that approach. Kushida managed to catch Rust with a unique pinfall, earning a close call. Rust responded with a punch to the mouth, focusing on more of a smashmouth offense. Kushida responded with a roundhouse that left Rust vulnerable for an over-the-shoulder arm breaker.

Rust shook off the pain, yanking Kushida off the top rope. Kushida took over after a commercial break, again working over Rust's left arm. After a series of kicks, Kushida looked for that hammerlock suplex. Rust blocked, rocking Kushida with a boot and hitting a half-hatch suplex. A series of kicks to the neck and head left Kushida down for the two-count.

With @Malcolmvelli looking on, @TylerRust_WWE looks to focus his attack on @KUSHIDA_0904's neck in a high-octane battle on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/mFN2PRDC77

— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2021

Another Kushida roll-up was countered with a sleeper from Rust, who nearly got the biggest win in his NXT career. A modified bow and arrow locked Kushida up for a while, but Kushida was eventually able to break away and pelt Rust with some stiff strikes.

Kushida escaped Rust's grasp and quickly locked in the Hoverboard Lock. Bivens jumped up to the apron, throwing in the towel for his client.

Results: Kushida defeated Tyler Rust via submission on NXT.

Grade: B-

Malcolm Bivens said that wins and losses come and go, but he needed to protect his investment, which is why he didn't allow Rust to stay in that hold too long.