Tag: Iron Survivor

WWE NXT Deadline live results: Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints, two Iron Survivor Challenges

Posted on by Jeff Moss

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.

**********

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.

WWE NXT Deadline live results: Men’s & women’s Iron Survivor Challenges

Posted on by Marc Quill

The men’s and women’s Iron Survivor Challenges return as part of tonight’s WWE NXT Deadline from the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The winners will get title matches at January’s New Year’s Evil.

The men’s Challenge will feature Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Ethan Page vs. Eddy Thorpe while the women’s Challenge will see Sol Ruca vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Zaria vs. Giulia vs. Wren Sinclair.

The NXT Championship will be on the line as Trick Williams defends against Ridge Holland. Williams is looking for his third title defense while Holland is chasing his first NXT singles title.

The NXT Tag Team titles will also be defended as Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend against Myles Borne & Tavion Heights of the No Quarter Catch Crew. Frazier & Axiom have defended the gold five times.

The main card is rounded out by a NXT Underground fight between Lola Vice and Jaida Parker.

**********

Countdown to NXT Deadline 2024

– As the Countdown show kicked off, we opened with an announcement from NXT General Manager Ava, saying that we’ll have a replacement in the Men’s Iron Survivor Match tonight since Eddy Thorpe is unable to compete due to the attack he suffered this past Tuesday on NXT on The CW.

– Wes Lee was interviewed about the Iron Survivor Match by Sarah Schreiber. He denied attacking Eddy Thorpe, but said that Thorpe should be happy that he won’t be winning Iron Survivor.

– While the Countdown panel talked about Trick Williams vs. Ridge Holland, we saw a clip from Williams on Instagram where he said that he’d been cleared to defend his NXT Championship tonight.

– The NXT Tag Team Champions FrAxiom were interviewed about their busy night ahead of them this evening at Deadline, with Nathan Frazer set to compete in the Men’s Iron Survivor and also defending the Tag Titles against the No-Quarter Catch Crew.

– During the preview of the NXT Underground match between Lola Vice & Jaida Parker, we got separate remarks from both competitors ahead of this showdown.

– Just as the Countdown show wrapped, we got word from the Armory that Ava has found a fifth competitor for the Men’s Iron Survivor Match, but we didn’t find out just yet.

**********

NXT Deadline 2024

– After the Then, Now, Forever signature, we were welcomed to the show by Vic Joseph, live from the Armory in Minneapolis, MN. We got a look at various NXT wrestlers arriving at the arena before the cold open began.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Oba Femi (3), def. Wes Lee (1), Je’von Evans (2), Nathan Frazer (1), and Ethan Page (2)

Evans drew the first spot in the match, while Lee drew the second spot in the match to start us off. Things started off fast with Evans going for the early pinfall attempt. He followed that up with a dropkick to Lee to maintain the early advantage.

Standing Shooting Star by Evans was easily kicked out by Lee, but the former Rascalz member regained momentum with a unique back suplex from the corner. Lee maintained control over Evans with repeated body shots to the back. Things picked up as Evans hit his springboard hurricanrana, but was met by a double stomp from Lee. That’s followed up by a suicide dive to the outside.

Evans answered back with punches to Lee, followed by a spinout slam for the near-fall. Evans’ cutter attempt was caught by Lee as the time almost ran out. With the time just about to hit the five minute mark, Lee got a cheap rope-assisted pin to score the first point in the match, which sent Evans to the penalty box.

Nathan Frazer has entered Iron Survivor

Frazer ran in and had the clear upper hand on Lee as he used his acrobatic offense to leave Lee rattled. At ringside, while Lee and Frazer brawled, Evans’ time in the penalty box ended and he caught both Lee and Frazer with a dive over the top rope.

The action continued in the ring with all three men exchanging offense. Evans slammed Lee with a modified pumphandle slam for the two-count. Evans sent Lee to the outside, but it left him open for a superplex attempt by Frazer. That failed, as Evans blocked it, however, Frazer nailed the Slingblade afterwards. Lots of fast paced action as we reached the nine-minute mark of the match.

Frazer soared through the middle rope to take both Lee and Evans down with a suicide dive as we reached the ten-minute mark and another entrant coming in.

Ethan Page has entered Iron Survivor

As Page entered the ring, he got immediately rolled up by Frazer for the 1, 2, 3, which gave one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions a fall, and sent Page to the penalty box. Once Page’s penalty time was done, he returned the favor and rolled Frazer up to score a fall of his own.

Oba Femi has entered Iron Survivor

Right away, Femi made his presence known and scored his first fall at the expense of Evans, who once again took a seat in the penalty box. Femi planted Frazer with a sitdown powerbomb and looked to have another fall, but Page pulled out the referee at the last second.

As Page argued with the referee, Femi stepped outside the ring and got in Page’s face and he got slammed into the penalty box door. With Evans stuck in the box as the time expired, he scaled the penalty box and leapt on to Femi and Frazer. He then dropped Evans to score his first fall. Now all five competitors were tied at one.

Evans and Femi faced off in the ring for a bit before Frazer entered the fray and teamed up with Evans against Femi in the corner. The former North American Champion overpowered both men and placed him on his shoulders. Lee stepped into the ring and kicked Femi as Frazer and Evans joined in on this impromptu superkick party.

Femi, however, stayed dominant and planted Evans with his powerbomb. Page snuck in from behind with the sneaky rollup to take the lead with 2 falls to everyone else’s 1. Just as quickly as Page’s lead was gained, it was lost as Evans got him in a pin. This now forced Page to be in the same penalty box as Femi.

Naturally, Page was scared to be in the same penalty box as Femi, and with good reason. Femi proceeded to make Page pay for his skulduggery by beating him down inside the box just as his penalty time wrapped.

As the match reached its final 90 seconds, the action just spilled out in in the ring as Femi remained as dominant as ever. With one minute remaining, Femi fought off both Frazer and Lee as he nailed a double chokeslam to score a double fall to take the lead. Five seconds to go, Evans hit his cutter on Femi, but he couldn’t get the pin in time.

A damn good way to kick things off at Deadline. These Iron Survivor matches have been fantastic and this one was no exception. The return of Oba Femi was expected, but very much welcomed. His presence was sorely missed and with a NXT Title match in his future, we’re in for something big in the coming weeks, pardon the pun.

**********

– We got remarks from Lexis King, who said that Minneapolis was a place that had a place in his heart, but one that brought unpleasant memories. It was where he was left on the side of the road as a kid, as King said it was worth it to be out in the cold because nothing felt better than the warm air of satisfaction.

NXT Underground Match: Lola Vice def. Jaida Parker

With no ropes for the ring and ringside being surrounded by several people in matching black shirts (said to be “fans” asked to be part of the match), both Parker and Vice made their way for this unique Underground contest.

Vice immediately started off with a kick to Parker’s gut before she mounted him for multiple punches. Parker recovered and slammed down Vice. That advantage got cut off as Vice sent Parker to the outside. Parker regained momentum by sending Vice into the apron as she repeatedly dropped her foe in the ring with slams.

Vice applied a triangle submission on Parker, but got overpowered with a powerbomb. As both women got back up on their feet, Vice responded with repeated strikes. Parker responded with a hard elbow to the face of Vice, but she got caught in an ankle lock afterwards.

Parker reached out for one of the “fans” to break the hold, as Vice then kicked that “fan” in the chest. Outside the ring, Vice tried to go for a spinning backfist, but Parker dodged, which caused Vice’s hand to make hard contact with the LED ringpost.

Inside the ring, Parker attempted to seize the opportunity as she targeted that injured hand of Vice by taking off the glove off said hand. She then put that glove she stole from Vice on her own hand as Parker continued her assault. Parker maintained the assault on the exposed hand of Vice as she grabbed a black belt from ringside.

Parker wrapped the black belt around Vice’s exposed hand used it for a submission around the ring post. Vice refused to submit as she turned it around and sent Parker into the ring post. Vice used the belt to briefly catch Parker flatfooted, but a headbutt followed by the Samoan drop brought things back in Parker’s favour.

Outside the ring, Parker scaled the ringpost and dropped onto Vice, who was splayed across the ringsteps. Inside the ring, Parker mistakenly went for a pinfall, despite the fact that there were no pins in this match.

Vice reversed a Parker submission into a sleeper hold, but got slammed on her back. Parker grabbed a brick from outside the ring and looked to use it as a weapon, but she got caught with a strike from Vice. As Parker went to grab the brick, Vice caught her with the backfist, and she put Parker to sleep with the Anaconda submission to end the match.

A fine enough match that certainly took advantage of the unique Underground gimmick, and it had the suitable amount of brutality for a match that featured someone like Vice, who has a strong MMA background.

**********

– Backstage, FrAxiom commiserated with one another, as Axiom promised to do most of the heavy lifting in their upcoming NXT Tag Title defense against No-Quarter Catch Club, with Frazer banged up after the Iron Survivor Challenge.

NXT Tag Team Championship: FrAxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) def. No-Quarter Catch Club (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)

Frazer agreed to start off the match despite being banged up. Borne took down Frazer with a shoulder block, which sent Frazer to tag Axiom into the match.

Heights was tagged in and he opted to use his mat wrestling prowess in an attempt to get the advantage over Axiom. At one point, Axiom tried to tag Frazer, who was in no hurry to get into the match, which gave Heights the opening to slam down his championship foe.

Frazer finally tagged in as he and Axiom hit a nice tag team move on Borne. The OTM duo appeared at ringside to get a closer look of the action, which allowed NQCC to gain some momentum. Things broke down in the ring as FrAxiom took down both Borne and Heights with repeated dives. Frazer was momentarily stopped by his hurt back, which allowed Heights to take down Axiom. Inside the ring, Heights threw Frazer into the OTM tandem, which led to them being escorted out of the ringside area.

The No-Quarter Catch Crew continued to have command of the match as Borne worked over the banged-up Frazer in the ring. Frazer’s attempt to make a tag to Axiom got cut down as Borne threw him down for a reverse-forward Fallaway Slam of sorts. Heights tagged himself in again nailed a powerful powerslam on Frazer.

Frazer tried to create some separation between him and Heights, but the Olympic wrestler snuffed that out with a Dominator for the two. Frazer finally was able to reach Axiom for the tag after he warded off Borne. Axiom was a house of fire as he teed off on Heights and Borne with a flurry of furious offense.

Heights got caught in a submission by Axiom, but he escaped and overpowered his masked opponent with a fierce slam for the near-fall. Heights rolled through and dropped Axiom with an impressive Death Valley Driver for yet another two-count. Axiom managed to stop the NQCC onslaught by sending Heights outside, which gave him a chance to tag Frazer in.

Frazer leapt off the rope for a springboard 450 on Heights, but that wasn’t enough. He ascended to the top and looked to have Heights at his mercy, but he got flattened with a release German suplex. NQCC nailed a double team powerbomb, but Axiom with the last-second rescue that prolonged this match.

With Borne on the top rope, he got caught with the avalanche Spanish Fly by Axiom, followed by Frazer’s Phoenix Splash. Heights broke up the count at two.

Axiom accidentally nailed Frazer with a missile dropkick, as he then got crushed by a clothesline by Borne. Heights dropped Frazer across the apron as he and Borne hit their double team DDT. 1… 2… NO! Heights got caught with a Canadian Destroyer as a series of rollups between Borne and Axiom ended with Axiom getting the pin on Borne to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat once more.

The story of FrAxiom continuing to defy the odds, their bickering, and accidental friendly fire was on full display here in this contest and it’s genuinely enjoyable stuff, which has led to their matches being exciting. This was another one on that list. Just tremendous tag team action once again from Axiom and Nathan Frazer. Both Borne and Heights also showed up and showed out here too. Fantastic match.

**********

– Je’von Evans was interviewed about just coming up short in Iron Survivor, as Wes Lee admonished him for not being upset. Lee suckerpunched Evans afterwards.

NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams def. Ridge Holland

Holland started off strong as he pounced on Williams in the corner, followed by an overhead suplex. He looked to hit the Redeemer DDT, but Williams fought out of it immediately. He then took down Holland with a spear, as he continued to punch away at his challenger. Holland floored Williams with a clothesline to the back of the head.

Williams answered with a clothesline of his own as he sent Holland to the outside of the ring. Ridge got another clothesline on Williams, but he got sent face-first onto the LED ringpost. Williams caught Holland with a neckbreaker for a two-count. The NXT Champion maintained control with a splash in the corner, but whiffed on a second attempt at a splash.

Holland took advantage of a neck guillotine on Williams as he began to target that injured neck of his wounded foe. Neckbreaker by Holland but Williams managed to kick out. He then trapped the Champion in a Tree of Woe position as he wrenched at Williams’ neck from outside the ring. Holland continued his assault on a defenseless Williams as he then tied it across the top rope.

Williams tried to stop Holland’s momentum with a surprise DDT, which left both men down and out in the ring. As both Williams and Holland got back to their feet, the Champion began his rally with a series of kicks, followed by the flapjack to Holland. Book-End attempt by Williams got countered into a Crossface by Holland.

Attempted Trickshot knee countered by Holland with a double dip of slams on Williams. One, two… no dice. Holland headed up top, but Williams got out of the way at the last second as he then nailed Holland with a kick to the head.

Across opposite corners, Williams and Holland with simultaneous kicks to one another that hit their mark as both men fall down. At ringside, Holland tackled Williams onto the apron as he tore apart the announce table. His attempt at a powerbomb got countered by Williams. Inside the ring, Holland dodged Williams, which caused him to get caught across the top and middle ropes by the neck. Holland took advantaged and hit the Redeemer. One, two… Trick kicked out!

In the closing moments, Holland missed with a shoulder thrust into the corner as Williams took him down with the spinning kick, followed by the Trickshot knee and the one, two, three to remain the ace of NXT.

Probably not as strong as what came before it tonight on the Deadline card, but it was still a rather enjoyable match, even with the crowd not quite into it as they were for other matches. This was basically a match designed to give Trick a successful and strong title defense ahead of his upcoming showdown with Oba Femi in the near future.

**********

– Ethan Page was interviewed about his loss earlier tonight. He complained that it took eighteen years for him to reach the mountaintop and that he doesn’t know what to do next after having failed again.

– Elsewhere, NXT GM Ava announced that Je’von Evans and Wes Lee will go one on one, and that New Years Evil in a couple of weeks will be live in Los Angeles. Tiffany Stratton paid a visit to Ava’s office and hinted that she might cash in her Money in the Bank contract when Roxanne Perez defends her NXT Title at New Years Evil against the Women’s Iron Survivor Winner.

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Giulia def. Wren Sinclair, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, and Sol Ruca

Giulia and Sinclair were the first two to open this match as the bell sounded on our main event.

Sinclair tried for an early pin, as Giulia responded with a pin of her own. We then got a test of strength between the two that Sinclair surprisingly able to gain a momentary advantage on before Giulia turned it around. Back and forth pinfall exchanges between the two opponents ended with a stalemate.

Some really good mat wrestling between Giulia and Sinclair here in the early stages of the match as neither woman could get a definitive upper hand so far. As we got to the four-minute mark, Giulia had Sinclair in another submission hold. Once the clock hit 4:50, Giulia tried for a submission but couldn’t get Sinclair to submit as another entrant entered.

Sol Ruca has entered Iron Survivor

Ruca started off furiously with an amazing double dropkick to Giulia and Sinclair. She then lifted Giulia and spun her around before she stood on her for the surfboard. She slammed Sinclair on top of Giulia., but found herself caught in a submission by Sinclair.

Giulia doubled up Ruca and Sinclair with a dual submission on both women. We got another chain of submissions between the three women for a brief moment. Fujiwara armbar by Sinclair on Ruca is followed by a kneebar on Giulia. Some really nice submission holds being dished out here as we reached eight minutes in this match.

Sinclair sped things up with a takedown on Ruca followed by the body splash. Action was fast and furious as Giulia scored the first fall of the match with a Northern Lights Bomb on Sinclair as we got another entrant entering.

Zaria has entered Iron Survivor

Zaria unleashed her power game on Giulia and Ruca as she took both of them down with a double suplex, two for the price of one. And speaking of two for the price of one, Ruca managed to hit a double Sol Snatcher on Giulia and Zaria, but couldn’t get a pin on them as they rolled out. As Sinclair got out of her penalty, she instantly fell victim to a Sol Snatcher from Ruca and the one, two, three, which sent Sinclair back to penalty.

Ruca and Zaria fought it out on the apron as a German suplex attempt was blocked. Giulia joined in and hit a double team powerbomb on Zaria through the announce table! Sinclair left the penalty box and tried to get an easy pin, but to no avail. With Giulia and Sinclair fighting at ringside, Ruca did a somersault splash over the top rope onto the two opponents.

Stephanie Vaquer has entered Iron Survivor

We now have all five Iron Survivor competitors in the fray as Vaquer went after Sinclair and Ruca across opposite corners. Sinclair tried to kick away at Vaquer, but got slammed for his trouble. A breakup by Giulia led to a staredown between her and Vaquer. Before there could be any fighting between the two long-time rivals-turned-friends, Zaria dragged Vaquer out of the ring and threw her into the penalty box.

As Zaria cleared out the ring, she got caught in a sleeper hold by Giulia. However, the Australian was too powerful as she placed Giulia on her shoulder and hit a cannonball onto a prone Vaquer in the corner. Zaria with the F5 on Giulia and she was on the board now, tied with Ruca and Giulia for one falls a piece.

Zaria headed up top and got Sinclair and Ruca with a double moonsault that took both women down. As Giulia’s penalty ended, she went right after Zaria and took Ruca and Sinclair down with a double DDT. Double missile dropkick on Sinclair and Ruca, which itself doubled as a senton onto Zaria. What a move.

Vaquer re-entered the contest with a kick to the back of Sinclair’s head as she and Giulia finally got a chance to face off. They took down Ruca and Zaria and traded headbutts briefly before Vaquer hit his signature head slam with her legs.

Things began to get crazy as Vaquer scored a pin on Sinclair to create a four-way tie with two minutes to go. Ruca landed a springboard double clothesline on Vaquer and Giulia as we reached the last minute of play with Sinclair leaving the penalty box.

Uncharted territory as Sinclair got a pin on Ruca as we got a five way tie momentarily. With about 30 seconds to go, things picked up immensely as Giulia scored the Arriverderci knee on Zaria to get the last-second lead. Vaquer tried in vain to tie things up, but time ran out on her. Giulia is your Iron Survivor.

As expected, the women knocked it out of the park and this was by far the match of the night for me. This was the perfect showcase for how top-heavy and deep NXT’s women’s division is. As the action picked up with all five women in the ring, it just became a whirlwind to the finish and I enjoyed the sense of urgency that took over by the end. A hell of a main event to end a solid night of action for WWE’s silver and black brand.