Predicting The 16 Teams In The 2017 NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic (And How Far They Will Go)
14. Kassius Ohno & Johnny Gargano
The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic always features a number of teams that are thrown together purely for the tournament. It really adds to their credibility - the top singles stars in NXT are willing to form random partnerships simply to be a part of it.
Johnny Gargano and Kassius Ohno are at two very different points in their NXT careers right now. Ohno is treading water, as the excitement over his return to the brand was quickly overshadowed by other new arrivals. Ohno has only featured on one TakeOver since returning in January, and that was in eight-person tag action. It has been a disappointing return for the 'Knockout Artist'.
Johnny Gargano is on an upward trajectory, despite coming up short against Andrade Almas at TakeOver: Brooklyn III. Gargano is the next NXT babyface superstar-in-waiting, and his eventual feud with the currently injured Tommaso Ciampa could be an all-time great one for the brand. For the time being, Gargano will lose in frustrating circumstances. A team with Ohno makes little sense, but both men will want to be involved somehow.
Prediction: First Round