WWE reveals opening match for NXT vs. TNA Showdown

A title vs. title match will kick off tonight’s NXT vs. TNA Showdown broadcast.

DarkState vs. The Hardys will be the opening match of Showdown, WWE announced this afternoon. It’s a winner-take-all bout where Dion Lennix & Osiris Griffin’s NXT Tag Team titles and Matt & Jeff Hardy’s TNA Tag Team titles are both up for grabs.

The Dudley Boyz could potentially play a role in the result of the match, with Bubba Ray tweeting that he and D-Von will be watching closely from the front row. They’re slated to challenge Matt & Jeff for the TNA Tag Team titles in a tables match at TNA’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view this Sunday. It’s being billed as the last time these two legendary tag team rivals will ever face each other.

Matt & Jeff Hardy have never held the NXT Tag Team titles before — but winning the belts is a goal they hope to accomplish before their careers end.

Tonight’s show airs live on The CW starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Here is everything that has been announced:

NXT vs. TNA Showdown (Tuesday, October 7) —

  • Team NXT (Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Myles Borne & Je’Von Evans) vs. Team TNA (Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose & Leon Slater) with Joe Hendry as special guest referee
  • Team NXT (Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker & Lola Vice)  vs. Team TNA (Kelani Jordan, The IInspiration & Mara Sade) with Jordynne Grace as special guest referee
  • NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defends against Mustafa Ali
  • Title for title: NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState vs. TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys
Google Icon

Exclusive access to podcasts and newsletters

Subscribe
Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.