NXT is back with a PLE and it comes in the form of last year’s surprise success story — NXT Deadline. NXT Deadline will air live on Peacock from the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut Saturday night and features year two of the Iron Survivor Challenge matches that debuted as last year’s show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwSAoGrLt5k
The Iron Survivor Challenge bouts are the hook for this show. The concept is a good one, but this year’s lineup in the specialty match leaves a lot to be desired and doesn’t hide the outcome very well. WWE wants these matches to matter a lot because the winner of them earns an NXT title shot, but the field simply isn’t full with talent that audiences can actually buy as a title contender.
The matches surrounding the Iron Survivor Challenge’s are MID at best. There likely will be some strong in-ring work throughout, but the title defenses lack drama and would fit perfectly on a hyped New Year’s Evil level NXT television show.
Call this a preview, a calm look into the distant future, or a gaze into a wondrous crystal ball; just don’t hold me to anything, ok?
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Fallon Henley – Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
It’s pretty much Tiffany Stratton against a bunch of up and coming talent in this one. Stratton will carry the load of the action here, but in order for this to be a success someone else will have to step up. I’ll say it’s Davenport. She’s a skilled wrestler that could thrive in an environment like this one. She won’t win, but she could turn a lot of heads due to her performance if it goes well. As for Jordan, Legend, and Henley — they kinda are just there. All three could elevate their stock with a strong match, but I haven’t seen enough to believe it will actually happen.
Prediction: Tiffany Stratton
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
NXT took a big swing and whiffed badly with Lexis King. King was a highly touted signee and got the full production run around for his debut, but then has stunk the joint out upon premiering. King seems extremely disconnected from his gimmick and has not found a way to organically resonate with the audience. The in-ring work with him hasn’t been anything of note either.
So, what do you do? If Hayes beats him, King pretty much is done. He’s that cold and this loss would be that definitive. If he wins, he beats one of the biggest stars NXT has to offer. Not a great choice either given he hasn’t clicked to this point.
Shawn Michaels has to give him the win and he will. If you saddle King with a loss he has no chance of recovering. Hayes is slated for the main roster anyway and can hold the L — especially if he’s protected a little with the Trick Williams storyline in the end.
Prediction: Lexis King
Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee – NXT North American Championship
Lee has joined the match due to Wes Lee’s back injury and is going to be rewarded with winning the North American Championship. It’s time. Mysterio did a nice job of making this title and the title helped make him, but it’s time. They don’t need each other anymore. Plus, Rey Mysterio has publicly advocated for Dragon Lee. You just don’t do that if Lee is going to take a loss. Mysterio’s guy goes over his son here and makes for a fun moment on the show.
Prediction: Dragon Lee
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James – Steel Cage Match
This has been one of the best built matches on the show and I’ll go out on a limb and say it’ll be the match of the night too. Perez and James have a multi-month feud going here that has culminated with this stipulation match. The two women have cost the other opportunities, so this makes sense and is coming at the right time. James could use a big win, but unless Perez is going up to the main roster this week, she ultimately will get the W because it’s the kind of feud that the babyface should win.
Prediction: Roxanne Perez
Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin – NXT Championship
Ehhhhh. What is there really to say about this one? Nobody believes Baron Corbin is winning this one. Corbin has actually done a nice job carrying his end of the program and building up some heat in the rivalry, but the payoff just isn’t intriguing. Corbin is around for Dragunov to beat an everyone knows it.
Prediction: Ilja Dragunov
Bron Breakker vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs vs. Tyler Bate vs. Trick Williams – Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
So, the men’s match has a little more fire power than the women’s match does — no question there. The winner might be even more obvious. Look, Breakker is someone you’d have to look at, but he’s on the main roster trajectory at this point. Plus, he’s faced Dragunov already. Been there, done that. He isn’t winning. Tyler Bate? I mean, no. Right? Babyface vs. babyface coming out of this for the title doesn’t work. Josh Briggs? Nothing against, the guy, but no. He’s a tag wrestler right now and hasn’t shown enough to be considered for a top of the card singles run. Trick Williams is a possibility, but again, do you want babyface Williams against babyface Dragunov? It’s not ideal. Plus, Williams has a stronger story going on with Carmelo Hayes and for as big as a title match would be for him, Williams vs. Hayes is bigger.
So, that leaves Dijak and he’s your winner. Raise your hand if you’re underwhelmed! All the hands went up right? It is underwhelming, but it makes sense too. NXT clearly isn’t trying to make a star with this match this year. They want to run with the concept, but then walk out of the show with limited responsibility to payoff the winner with a title win. In that world, Dijak is the guy. He’s a strong heel for Dragunov, but is also a heel that Dragunov can dust. Boom.
Prediction: Dijak