WWE NXT holds their final special event of 2025 with tonight’s Deadline from San Antonio, Texas.
The NXT Championship will be on the line as Ricky Saints defends against former champion Oba Femi. Saints took the title from Femi at September’s No Mercy.
The show will feature two Iron Survivor Challenge matches with the winners earning future title shots.
In the men’s match, it will be Myles Borne vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Leon Slater while in the women’s, it will feature Kendal Grey vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Sol Ruca vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice.
The NXT North American title will be on the line as Ethan Page defends against Mr. Iguana after the latter stole the former’s car, while former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley attempts to gain a measure of revenge against Izzi Dame who cost her the title at Gold Rush.
Our live coverage begins at 6 PM Eastern with the pre-show.
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It’s not a byline, feline or sideline! It’s NXT Deadline!
The show kicked off with a video recap of time itself and tonight’s card. Then Vic Joseph walked us through the Traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work montage that we’ve come to know and love. After that, as promised, for the first time ever the NXT Championship kicked off an NXT PLE!
NXT Championship Match: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi
Way back at NXT No Mercy, Ricky Saints managed to put down the absolute monster that is Oba Femi and win the NXT Championship. Naturally, a few weeks later, Femi demanded a rematch which Saints agreed to. During the legally mandated contract signing for said match, NXT General Manager Ava revealed that this would be the opening bout of Deadline.
Then, for reasons only he knows, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, declared that the winner of the NXT Championship match would also face Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec 13. It may be for the title, it may just be for laughs, but Femi is a superstar powerhouse in the making and Saints has main event written all over him. So either way, our eyeballs win!
The bell rang and Saints went right for Femi’s leg, trying to get the big man off his feet. He did not succeed and Femi threw him into the corner. Saints put Femi and a wristlock and managed to block Femi’s attempts to power out of it. Eventually though, Femi turned it into a backbreaker.
Femi then started yanking Saints arm, seemingly to pull it out of its socket. Saints defended himself, but it didn’t seem to have muchh effect as Femi dropped him Snakeyes-style on the top turnbuckle. Saints managed to fight back and do his best Undertaker impression by walking the ropes and going “old school.” That actually put Femi on the mat and Saints took advantage, stomping him.
Femi didged a dropkick though and caught Saints by the throat. Saints broke free and hit a missile dropkick from the top rope for the match’s first two count. Saints went for a crossbody but Femi caught him and turned it into a backbreaker. Femi then hoisted Saints above his head and dropped him onto the mat.
Femi tried some simple strikes, wearing Saints down bit by bit. He sent him into the corner and peppered Saints’ midsection with jabs. Duelling chants broke out as Femi and Saints traded shots in the ring. Saints seemed to power up, and hit a series of kicks and elbows that staggered Femi. Next, Saints hit a Hurricanrana followed by a spear and got a 2.75 count before Femi kicked out.
Saints then tried the unthinkable and attempted to lift Femi. It did not work out and they traded quick moves until Saints hit a stunner, complete with Femi doing a Scott Hall reaction in taking it. Saints then threw on a reverse boyd scissor/chin lock submission, but Femi stood up.
Saints kept it on tight though and Femi sank back to his knees. Digging deep he stood up and dropped Starkz gut-first onto the top rope. Femi charged and Saints pulled down the top rope sending him out. Saints then dove after him, driving Femi into the announce table. Femi took his time but beat the count out by scrambling back into the ring.
Femi picked up some steam and threw Saints into the corner. He then threw himself into the corner and hit an elbow. Saints tried to steal one, but Femi kicked out. Femi then planted Saints with a shoulder slam, but Saints kicked out as well.
Femi miscalculated a charge and went straight into the ring post. He rolled out to recover, but Saints charged from the apron. Femi saw it coming and clotheslined him. Saints rolled off onto the steps and Femi charged but Saints moved and Femi hit his knee. Saints then hit an arround the world DDT on the steel steps before putting Femi back in.
Saints hoisted Femi up, but Femi countered it into a jack knife powerbomb for a very near two-count. Saints charged and Femi caught him with a sit-out fall from grace powerbomnb. Saints struggled, but Femi pinned him 1-2-3 to reclaim the NXT title and a chance to take on Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Match Result: Oba Femi defeated Ricky Saints
Saints was a good champion, but Femi is just so powerful. Literally and as a character. This wasn’t a exciting as their first match, but was still very intense and a lot of fun.
-After an interview with Kendall Grey (spoiler: she’s happy to be in the Iron Survivor Challenge), Sol Ruca was shown on Facetime talking with Zaria. They decided that they need to talk when they are next in the same place. Then Ruca had to leave for the match.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Kendal Grey
During NXT: Gold Rush NXT General Manager Ava announced that the participants in the men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenge matches would be selected by John Cena himself. Hey, Ava, isn’t that your job? No fair passing the buck to the guy on the way out the door! Anyway, Cena landed on Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Kelani Jordan, Jordynne Grace, and WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey, reminding everyone that yes, Evolve is still a thing. The winner of this match also becomes the #1 Contender for the NXT Women’s Title and gets their shot at New Year’s Evil.
If you’re here, you probably know how Iron Survivor matches work, but if you’re with someone, a friend, or grandparent who doesn’t know, here’s how it works: 2 Wrestlers start off, with three more entering at 5-minute intervals. The goal is to have the most pinfalls and submissions at the end of the 25 minutes. If a wrestler is DQ’d, pinned or submits, they have to go to a penalty box for 90 seconds, which is so adorable I could squee.
0:00-5:00
Grey and Jordan were the opening contenders and Jordan started toying with the Evolve Champion. Grey fought back though, holding her own and looking good, working out of a bridge suplex and pin from Jordan.
Grey went to work on Jordan’s leg, stomping and slamming it. The two rolled through a few pinning combinations and Grey went to sweep Jordan out of the ring. Jordan jumped and stomped Grey on the ring apron (the Ironest part of the ring!) before tossing her back in for a Northern Lights suplex.
Grey started laying right hands into Jordan’s stomach, bit Jordan worked her into two quick pin attempts after a backbreaker. Jordan hung Grey up on the ropes and then landed a big leg drop. Jordan went up for a frog splash, but Grey dodged it. She hit a big slam after it though and pinned Jordan to get the first point.
5:00-10:00
Grace ran to the ring and immediately sent Jordan packing. She turned her attention to Grey, sending her face first into the turnbuckle. Grace hit the Grace Under Pressure and got a two count before Grey kicked out.
Grace hit a sunset flip bomb and locked in a submission lock, but Jordan returned an broke it up before Grey could tap. Grey and Jordan rolled each other up until Grey put an ankle lock on Jordon. Jordon rolled her up for a quick pin to get her first point in the match and set Grey to the penalty box.
That let Grace and Jordon go at it, trading shots and quick slams, but not giving up or gaining any points. As soon as Grey exited the Box, Grace was there to hit her with a lariat. Jordan hit a spinning dive on Grace and went back into the ring. Grace and Grey followed and Jordan went up top.
She threw off Grey and Grace once, but Grace stacked Grey and Jordan up for a supler plex.
10:00 – 15:00
Lola Vice sprinted to the ring and immediately got a pin on Grey, scoring a point. Grey went to the box and Vice took out Grace and Jordon with her patented brand of butt-based offense. She suplexed Jordon, but Jordon kicked out. Grace did the same, so Vice went back to stomping Jordon.
Grey came out of the box with some steam, knocking Vice down and arm dragging Jordon. She put Grace in a scissor submission and managed to roll her up for a pinfall and second point. Jordon grabbed Grey and stomped her into the corner.
Grey interrupted her split-legged moonsault and threw Jordan with a super German suplex. Vice tried to steal one by pinning Jordon, but Grey broke it up before she could get the point. Grey they put an arm lock on Vice. Grace kicked the penalty box door open and took out Jordon who was for some reason standing in front of it.
Grace then suplexed Grey and Vice, getting two counts from both. She grabbed Jordon and pinned her to get her first point in the match.
15:00 – 25:00
Ruca bounded to the ring and was attacked by Jordon who was supposed to be in the pentaly box. She injured Ruca’s knee and doctor’s helped her to the back.
In the ring, Grace was trying desperately to get pins, but no joy. Vice tried to focus on Grey, but Grace took her out with a shoulder block. She lifted Grey and slammed her, going for a Five Knuckle Shuffle in tribute to John Cena.
Jordan returned from the Box at that point and interrupted it. Vice took her down and Grey grabbed Jordan’s arms. Grey and Vice tried to throw her, but Jordon landed on her feet. Jordan then took a Spanish Fly on the outside and Ruca came charging down and pinned Jordan and Vice in quick succession.
Ruca then dominated the match with her knee in a brace. She cleaned house, but couldn’t get a pin. Grey jumped and Sol grabbed her, slamming her to the mat and slapping on a Dragon Sleeper. Grace then turned them both over in a half crab.
Vice stormed out of the Box and broke it all up. Ruca landed an X Marks The Spot, but then Grace Death Valley Drivered her. Grey hit Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke it up and stole the pin.
Grey and Vice threw hands in the corner while Ruca and Jordan did the same. Ruca dispatched Jordan and leapt onto Grey and Vice. Jordan Slammed Vice and went for a 450, but Vice moved. Grace ran back in and suplexed them both at the same time. She hit a Blue Thunder bomb on Jordan to pick up a Pin.
Vice pinned Grey and it was a 5-way tie with 2 minutes left.
Ruca slammed Grace spine first onto the ring apron and Vice locked a sleeper on her on the outside. Ruca broke the hold and climbed the stairs. She hit a Sol Snatcher from the steps and threw Vice back into the ring.
Ruca tried to get back in, but Jordan took her out with a cheap shot and hit a 450 on Vice in the ring. Grey came out and hit a Shaes of Grey on Vice to score a point with 3 seconds left. The clock rand out and the Iron Survivor was Kendel Grey!
Match Result: Kendal Grey (3) defeated Sol Ruca (2), Lola Vice (2), Kelani Jordan (2) and Jordynne Grace (2)
Wow that was a ton of fun! The action was fast a furious and with the penalty box, there were none of those awkward moments in multi-person matches where participants just disappear. Great match and effort by everyone involved.
-Backstage, Blake Monroe told GM Ava that she is offering up an open challenge for her North American Championship on Tuesday. Ava warned her that could cause her more problems than solve them, hinting that Monroe couldn’t defend the titie without help. Monroe seemed oblivious to this and the segment ended.
-Myles Borne was interviewed to let us know which entry spot he’s chosen for the men’s Iron Survival Challenge. He declared that after some thought, he will come out third. They were interrupted though by Jordynne Grace and Kelani Jordan brawling nearby.
NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana
At the start of November, Ethan Page and Chelsea Green defeated Mr. Iguana and La Hiedra to win the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship. At the beginning of December, NXT General Manager Ava casually reminded Page that he also needed to defend his NXT North American Championship. Page scoffed, saying nobody wants to face him. Ava said she knew someone who did, before introducing Iguana, who then STOLE PAGE’S CAR. No police were called, but it was announced that Page and Iguana would face off at Deadline. No word on who gets the car.
The two locked up off the top with Page throwing Iguana to the mat, causing him to play dead as he does. Page acted like he’d never seen it before and didn’t hit him or pin him or anything.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Iguana came back to life as the crowd chanted for him. Page put on a wristlock and Iguana countered it into a rollup. Page kicked out and continued to be shocked and surprise by Iguana’s antics. Iguana ate a DDT while reaching for his puppet and Page pulled him up to the top turnbuckle.
Iguana hit Page with his puppet, sending him to the mat. Iguana leapt at him with a crossbody for a two count. Iguana then hit an Iguanarana (I don’t know if that’s actually what it’s called, but it should be) and sent Page to the outside.
When Iguana followed, Page grabbed him and sent him into the steel steps before throwing him back into the ring. Page hit a back elbow, knocking Iguana to the mat. He slapped him and Iguana went back to playing dead. Not as long this time though.
Iguana hit a headscissor followed by a flying shoulder to daze Page. He grabbed the puppet and had him “bite” Page’s hand. Iguana went up top, but Page powerslammed him, enraged. Page threw some stuff punches and big boots at Iguana, knocking him silly(er).
Page grabbed the puppet and blew snot on it before throwing it up the entrance ramp. Iguana popped up full of rage and chopped Page against the ropes, followed by a DDT. Page went up top with Iguana on his shoulders and set up a Super Ego’s Edge. Iguana countered it into a super hurricanrana.
Page left the ring and Iguana dove after him. Page went back in the ring and Iguana hit a missile headbutt from the top rope to get a two count. Iguana went back up top, but Page caught him and threw him off. Page then hit a Twisted Grin and got the pin to score the victory.
Match Result: Ethan Page defeated Mr. Iguana
Fun mid-card match from these two. Iguana is a silly character and Page played the equal parts of not taking him seriously and taking him too seriously perfectly. I thought the playing dead bit went on a bit too long, but I loved when Page got fed up and worked to end it. Great use of Iguana and Ethan Page is always great!
-Kendal Grey was interviewed backstage and seemed as shocked as anyone that she won the Iron Survivor Challenge. Sol Ruca came by and said that she wouldn’t have won if Ruca was at 100%. the scene switched to DarkState getting ready for the Iron Survivor Challenge. Oba Femi wandered by to make sure they knew he won his match. Dion Lennox said the Femi will see him at New Years Evil.
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame (with Niko Vance and Shawn Spears)
Tatum Paxley managed to defeat Jacy Jayne at Halloween Havoc to win the NXT Women’s Championship. However, in the rematch, Paxley was betrayed by The Culling with Dame attacking Paxley, resulting in her losing the title back to Jayne. Dame said that she betrayed Paxley because she didn’t listen to her and that Paxley acted like she was too good for The Culling. Dame then challenged Paxley to this match at Deadline. Jacy Jayne continued to be awesome, in case you were wondering. Which you should have been.
Spears and Vance got into the ring during Paxley’s entrance and leered at her. Dame tried to jump her from behind, but Paxley caught her. The two seemed to be moving towards maybe making up as friends, but Dame essentially winked at the crowd and Paxley caught her, kicking off the match with some punches.
Paxley hit a really cool spinning stomp and Dame bailed out of the ring. She begged Paxley not to leap on her, so Paxley climbed down and helped her up. They hugged and Dame immediately threw her into the steel stairs.
Dame threw Paxley back into the ring and put her through the paces. Paxley sent her to the corner and tried a crossbody but Dame caught her in a Military Press. She threw forearms in the corner and then hooked Paxley into a spinning backbreaker.
Dame continued playing mind games with Paxley, luring her in and then putting knees in her gut. Paxley countered a spin move into a sleeper hold, but Dame drove her into the corner to break it. Dame threw her into the ring post and then dropped a big boot on Paxley’s head.
Dame hit another backbreaker and then put on a Boston Crab to push Paxley to submit. Paxley dragged them both towards the ropes, finally touching them. The ref didn’t make her break the hold for some reason and instead she adjusted into a Walls of Jericho.
Paxley almost got a quick rollup, but Dame kicked out at two. She mocked Paxley for not fighting back hard enough and then slapped the proverbial taste out of her mouth. That brought a wild smile to Paxley’s face and she unleashed a flurry of kicks, slaps and slams, completely reversing the momentum of the match.
Paxley went up top, but Dame was able to punch her in the stomach once she got there. Dam scrambled up for a superplex, but Paxley threw her off and leapt. Dame met her with a dropkick and then a spinning neckbreaker, but Paxley kicked out of the cover.
The two former friends traded shots in the middle of the ring with Paxley landing a superkick. She grabbed dame in a crucifix and sent her to the apron. Paxley then rand into her, knocking them both out of the ring. She used the announce table as a springboard to kick Dame, then cleared it off.
Paxley picked up Dame and laid her out on the table. She climbed up and Dame begged her to stop. Paxley scooped her up and slammed her onto the table. Paxley threw Dame back in the ring, but Spears stepped in between them and handed Paxley her dolls.
Paxley stepped towards the ring and Spears grabbed the “Paxley” doll and ripped it’s head off. Paxley slapped him and got back in the ring where Dame was waiting with the big boot. She nailed it and pinned Paxley to get the win.
Match Result: Izzi Dame defeated Tatum Paxley
What that match did was tell a really, really good story. From Paxley going from defeated to rage, to the minimal but effective interference of Spears it was a story from start to finish. It leaves me asking where Paxley and the Culling go next, which is what I should be thinking!
-In the locker room, Ricky Saints was lamenting his lost to Oba Femi with Je’Von Evans. Evans tried to cheer him up, but Saints said that he will never get another chance to be champion because the “monster” Femi was back. Evans said that if he wins Iron Survival tonight, he won’t be waiting for New Year’s Evil. He did not elaborate on what that means.
-It was then announced via really, really long video that Shiloh Hill will be debuting in NXT on Tuesday.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Je’Von Evans vs. TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater vs. Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne
Like the women’s match earlier, John Cena put together the participants of this match and picked Je’Von Evans, TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater, Joe Hendry, and Dion Lennox. The last spot was earned by Borne by defeating Trick Williams. And just to top it all off, whoever survives this match gets an NXT Championship match at New Year’s Evil. Got it? Cool, let’s fight!
0:00-5:00
Slater and Evans started the match which was 1000% the right call. The clock started and Evans went right for a springboard cutter. Slater dodged it and they bounced around each other. They tied up with Slater dropping down to take Evans legs out from under him.
Evans bounced back up and hit a headscissor. Slater and Evans grabbed each other’s feet and then negotiated letting them go. Evans tried to slip out, but Slater dragged him for it. Slater changed gears and threw some punches in Evans’ gut.
Evans hit a bouncing hurricanrana off the top rope, but Slater kicked out. Neither man could score a point. Evans threw Slater to the corner and the two traded tops. Evans knocked Slater unto the ropes, but Slater countered into a rollup and they went back and forth trying to steal a three.
Evans hit a quick hurricanrana and pinned Slater to get the first point of the match.
5:00-10:00
Miles Borne was the next entrant and he went right for Evans, dropping an elbow on his throat. Evans roared back with a superkick, but Borne hit a high angle suplex to get a two count. Evans tossed Borne out as Slater got out of the box and leapt on Evans, getting a two.
Borne came back into the rung and Slater kicked him before flipping over the ropes with Evans. They fought on the outside and Borne leapt onto both of them. He thew Evans back in and tried to pin him for a two count. Borne grabbed Slater for the same treatment, but again, kick out.
Borne put Slater in one corner, Evans in the other and rotated hitting them. Slater came back and chopped the air out of Borne’s lungs, surprising even him. Borne dispatched Evans and then knocked Slater to the mat. Evans kicked up at Borne and they threw forearms.
Slater went for a springboard, but Borne and Evans caught him in midair. Evans hit a suplex and a splash on Slater, but only got a two count. Borne had been sent to the ropes by Slater.
10:00-15:00
Dion Lennox came out next, charging to the ring and running rampant on Borne, Evans and Slater. Hit hit a northern lights suplex on Borne, but couldn’t get the pin. Slater popped up and hung Lennox up on the ropes. Evans pulled him off and threw hands at Lennox in the corner.
Slater and Evans took turns stomping Lennox while Borne recovered in the corner. Lennox went up top and Slater and Evans followed. Before either could do anything, Borne came over and got Slater in an electric chair. Lennox turned it into a doomsday device. Off of that he scooped up Evans and slammed him for a pin and a point.
Lennox and Borne went at each other, with Borne getting a headlock. Slater flew in through and Borne caught him and went for a pin. No dice as Slater kicked out. Slater kicked Borne to the mat and went up top, but Evans came out of the Box and shoved him off.
Evans flew at Borne and Lennox, hitting Borne with a splash to try and get a point, but Borne kicked out. Lennox grabbed Evans, but Borne pulled him down and went at Lennox as…
15:00-25:00
He appeared! Joe Hendry joined the match, scoop slamming Evans, then Borne, then Evans AND Slater at the same time. Hendry started a stomp with the crowd and was about to engage Slater, but Lennox interrupted. Hendry went toe to toe with him, throwing him out of the ring.
Hendry tossed Evans and Slater out there too and jumped over the ropes onto them. He got back in and hit Borne with a slam, pinning him for a point.
Hendry then got rolled up by Evans, but kicked out at two. Hendry, Slater and Evans traded pinning combinations until Evans and Slater started spamming superkicks, taking everyone out, including each other.
Borne got out of the penalty box, but Lennox was waiting for him and slammed the door on his head. In the ring, Evans and Hendry were getting bouncy as the clock approached 5 minutes remaining. Evans hit a coast to coast swanton, and then Slater took him out.
Slater hit a swanton 450 on Hendry and got himself on the board with a pin. Later then turned his attention to Evans until Borne broke it up. Lennox threw Slater aside and he and Borne went at it. Borne hit a cutter and picked up a point, tying the match with 3 and a half minutes left.
Lennox went over and started stomping Hendry in the penalty box. In the ring, Borne, Slater and Evans hit each other in triangle formation. Hendry got himself some mad and took out Lennox in the box before storming out and into the ring.
Things moved super fast after that as Evans, Hendry, Slater and Borne ran each other ragged. Lennox got out of the box and pulled Hendry out of the ring. Evans leapt down, but Lennox grabbed him and locked him in the penalty box.
Lennox got in the ring for a Standing Ovation from Hendry that rolled him out. Evans climbed out the top of the box and leapt on Lennox. Slater took out hendyr and then evans hit a top rope cutter on Slater t for a two count. Evans tossed out Borne, but boren came back in and head butted him Borne hit a Super Borne Again on Evans, but Lennox broke up the pin attempt.
Borne occupied Lennox while Slater hit a swanton 450 on Evans. Hendry threw Slater over the ropes and then Evans scooped up Borne in the ring to get a quick pin as the time ran out, winning the match and becoming the Iron Survivor!
Match Result: Je’Von Evans (2) defeated Leon Slater (1), Joe Hendry (1), Dion Lennox (1) and Myles Borne (1)
After the match, Evans celebrated until Femi’s music started to play and the Champ appeared at the top of the ramp they stared each other down and then the lights went out. A video of a mysterious figure played, and when the lights came up, Tony d’Angelo was in the ring.
He slammed Evans and stared at Femi who looked like he’d just seen a ghost, as the show ran off the air.
That was amazing! I love these Iron Survivor matches! The finish was so fast and furious that I’m definitely going to have to watch it again to take it all in. I love Evans as the winner and the return of d’Angelo was well done. All right a good night of matches, each having their own flavour.
