This past weekend the final WWE premium live event of 2023 occurred in Connecticut as NXT presented Deadline. From Iron Survivor Matches, title defenses, and even an appearance from the beat in the world, Deadline had a lot of hype around it. So, let’s review it.
Preshow: Axiom vs Nathan Frazier: This was a great way to start the show. The commentary team kept referencing the best of three series these two put on earlier this year. Both of these men are set to be the future of NXT and they proved that within this match. Axiom gets the win and the two embrace for a hug to show true sportsmanship, mark my words these two are set to have a huge 2024!
Winner: Axiom
Main Show: CM Punk Appears: The show kicks off with Shawn Michaels welcoming everyone to the show as he asks if the crowd is ready for an awesome night of action. CM Punk’s music plays as he joins HBK in the ring. He says he is happy to be here as he and Michaels joke about him wearing a Bret Hart hoodie. Punk says that Michaels and Hart made up just like him and Triple H made up which led him to come back to WWE. Punk says he missed his flight and he owed Michaels a phone call which is why he showed up at NXT. He says that so many people came up to him throughout the day saying that they grew up watching him and took selfies, which led Punk to take a selfie with Michaels. Punk ends by saying this Monday he will decide what brand he is going to be on. I thought it was cool to see Punk in NXT, but this promo felt a little forced and awkward at times.
NXT North American Championship: Dominick Mysterio vs Dragon Lee: Dragon Lee is a star. Since there were a lot of rumors that Lee was called up to the main roster I was shocked to see him win, but if Mysterio can do both the main roster and NXT so can Lee. The interesting thing about this match was that no member of Judgement Day accompanied Mysterio to ringside, he went into the match alone. This match was fine, nothing special Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee celebrated the win after the match ended.
Winner: “And New” Dragon Lee
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Blair Davenport vs Fallon Henley vs Kelani Jordan vs Lash Legend vs Tiffany Stratton: This match hit. I enjoyed the spot where Legend came in and pinned both Stratton and Henley to tie Davenport at two points a piece, and also when they were both trying to escape the penalty box and Stratton pushed Henley into the announcer’s table and did a moonsault to everyone else on the outside. I thought the last 10 seconds when Lash and Davenport were chasing each other looked sloppy, but besides that phenomenal match. After the match was over Davenport called out Lyra Valkyria and said she was going to win the title at New Year’s Evil. Valkyria comes out and raises her title high until she is attacked by the returning Cora Jade. Jade takes the title and makes her intentions known then throws the title back at Valkyria.
Carmello Hayes vs Lexis King: Hayes carried the majority of this match. However, I enjoyed the mind games from King in that he had his hair braided just like Hayes usually has his hair braided. This match was not anything special but Hayes got the win. After the match was over King gets on the microphone and says that he was not the one to attack Trick Williams and he thanks Hayes for giving him the spotlight on a premium live event.
Winner: Carmello Hayes
Men’s Iron Survivor: Trick Williams vs Bron Breakerr vs Dijak vs Tyler Bate vs Josh Briggs: Tyler Bate was the real MVP of this entire match. He was involved in every big decision and he essentially carried the entire match on his back. Williams went into the final minute with zero falls and was able to power through and pin every other person in this match to get the win. The eruption for Williams was huge, whether he wins or loses his match at New Year’s Evil he is over with this crowd the future is indeed bright.
Winner: Trick Williams
Steel Cage Match: Roxanne Perez vs Kiana James: This match did not do it for me. This match felt rushed at times and slow at different points, which was disappointing because I am a huge fan of Perez. Izzi Dame came to the aid of James to help her get the win. Just move Perez to the main roster already, she has done everything in NXT and they are running out of things for her to do.
Winner: Kiana James
NXT World Heavyweight Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs Baron Corbin: This was a more technical style matchup, which is what we usually see out of Dragunov. Corbin put on a good showing and I do like the rebranding that he has gone on throughout his time in NXT and I think now is the time to bring him up on the main roster and do some more things up there. After the match was over Williams came out to confront Dragunov as Hayes looked on just as the camera faded to black to end the show.
Winner: “And Still” Ilja Dragunov
Overall: This was a very enjoyable show. NXT seems to be back on the track they were on in 2018-2019 with the Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole era of the product. They have a lot of young stars who are starting to understand what it takes to be huge superstars in the business and the future is looking bright for all of them in 2024.
NXT Deadline 2023 is streaming now on Peacock
