A passive opening transmission clutch system includes a backing plate having multiple tab slots, each of the tab slots having a tapered wall. A first reaction plate has multiple first tapered spline teeth oriented transverse to a plane of the first reaction plate. The first tapered spline teeth are positioned at least partially in individual ones of the tab slots in a clutch disengaged condition. The first tapered spline teeth when displaced further into the tab slots and toward the backing plate define a clutch engaged condition. A first friction plate is in frictional contact with the first reaction plate in the clutch engaged condition, the first friction plate when rotated generating a rotational force on the first reaction plate. The rotational force acts against the first tapered spline teeth to induce the first reaction plate to slidably move away from the backing plate.