WWE NXT Deadline 2023 is the last Premier Live Event of the year and takes place on Saturday, December 9th from the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The show features the NXT and the North American Championship on the line while continuing the Deadline trend of the Iron Survivor Challenge.
The matches were introduced last year and see the winners earn a future title match. The rules for the match are:
- Five Superstars will compete in this unique 25-minute match as they battle each other and the clock.
- Two Superstars will start the match, and every five minutes a new Superstar will enter the match until all five are in the ring.
- The goal is to have the most falls when the clock hits 25 minutes.
- Falls can be won at any time via pinfall, submission, or disqualification.
- When a Superstar scores a fall, they will earn one point.
- However, when a Superstar loses a fall, that Superstar must pay the penalty. They are forced out of the ring and into a penalty box for 90 seconds.
- Once the 90 seconds are up, the Superstar can re-enter the match.
- The Superstar who has scored the most falls when the clock hits 25 minutes will be named the Iron Survivor and become the No. 1 Contender to the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship, respectively.
The full card is as follows;
- Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Baron Corbin – NXT Championship
- Dijak vs. Trick Williams vs. Josh Briggs vs. Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate – Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
- Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
- Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Dragon Lee – North American Championship
- Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James – Steel Cage Match
- Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
- Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom – Kick Off
Let’s have a look at what we think will go down at NXT Deadline.
Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom – Kick Off
In recent weeks, Frazer has developed an overly cocky attitude, which resulted in him feeling the wrath of Ilja Dargunov. As Frazer recovered, Axiom mocked him for getting what he deserved. This led to the friends agreeing to a match for old times’ sake. As the two former NXT UK stars began to fight their match was interrupted by a locker room brawl and called off. Now, they get to show what they can do in front of a PLE crowd.
Prediction: Despite their friendship, Frazier’s new attitude could spell trouble for Axiom and a heel turn for Frazier. Nathan Frazier wins.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
Lexis King makes his PLE debut in a match against Carmelo Hayes. Both have been implemented as the suspects behind the attack on Trick Williams. King has exploited Williams’ doubt and made it look as though he and Hayes planned the attack. In order to clear his name and prove he is not working with the NXT newcomer, Hayes requested a match at Deadline.
Prediction: King has a lot to prove in his first NXT PLE outing. The company have put him in a prominent storyline involving the brand’s biggest stars, so the pressure is on to deliver. Thus far, King has played the role of antagoniser well and has got inside Hayes’ head. His mind games will no doubt come into play in the outcome of the match and add further tension to the angle. Lexis King wins.
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James – Steel Cage Match
Roxanne Perez and Kiana James’ intense rivalry will see them settle their differences in a Steel Cage match. Their hatred for one another began months ago, escalating at Halloween Havoc in a Devil’s Playground match, and continued in a chaotic Last Chance Match. Now, their rivalry will reach its peak in the confines of the Steel Cage.
Prediction: As we have seen in the past Perez is no stranger to unleashing her violent side and she will certainly have to do that here against the bigger and stronger James. But Perez could have more to worry about with the possible return of Cora Jade, who seems to be the person behind the recent QR code campaign. Kiana James wins.
Dijak vs. Trick Williams vs. Josh Briggs vs. Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
The men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match participants were confirmed following weeks of qualifying matches. Dijak became the first entrant when he defeated Tyler Bate. Trick Williams beat Joe Coffey to book his place in the match while Josh Briggs shockingly defeated Carmelo Hayes. Bron Breakker then qualified by besting Eddy Thorpe. A ‘Last Chance Match’, which consisted of all those who didn’t qualify getting one final shot saw Bate become the fifth and final participant.
Prediction: Aside from Briggs, who just isn’t ready yet, anyone could win. But with that being said, Breakker has had his time at the top and looks to be main roster bound in 2024. Dijak recently had a war with Dragunov and Trick Williams has problems with both Carmello Hayes and Lexis King following the sneak attack that took him out of a championship match some weeks back. This leaves Bate, who is in desperate need of a boost with a win and future title shot. Tyler Bate wins.
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Dragon Lee – North American Championship
This match initially had Wes Lee looking to regain the title from the man who ended his record breaking title run earlier this year. However, that was not to be after he suffered an injury putting an end to his quest. Following his emotional announcement, the match looked to be called off. But Dragon Lee, who making his second appearance as the last minute replacement in as many months, will now take on ‘Dirty’ Dom for the title and have Rey Mysterio in his corner.
Prediction: Dom had a tough night in store with his original opponent but with the addition of Dragon Lee and a returning Rey Mysterio in his corner, it’s going to be a bad one. No doubt he’ll have Rhea Ripley backing him up, but it feels like time Rey got a little payback. Dragon Lee wins.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
Lyra Valkyria will find out who the next challenger will be when this collection of women battle it out in the annual Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match. Stratton was the first to qualify for the gruelling match when she defeated Fallon Henly. Legend booked her place in the match when she surprisingly beat last year’s winner Roxanne Perez. Davenport bested Thea Hail, Jordan beat Kiana James while the final participant, Henley triumphed in the women’s ‘Last Chance Match’.
Prediction: At first glance, Stratton and Davenport are the clear favourites, but it seems the former will get a chance for another crack at the title another time and the latter has a Nikita Lyons problem. However, the other three are not far behind. Legend has improved greatly over the past few weeks, and Jordan shows a lot of promise, but Henley seems to have the support and more importantly, the momentum to gain the victory. Fallon Henley wins.
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Baron Corbin – NXT Championship
Corbin inserted himself into title contention when he blindsided the champion in a backstage assault. Following the attack, Dargunov sought retribution, but the assailant remained out of harm’s way while continuing to get under the Russian’s skin with insults about his lifestyle and family, which led to their title match at Deadline.
Prediction: Although Baron Corbin has done an excellent job of reinventing and refocusing himself in NXT, his title efforts will be in vain when he comes up against Dragunov. The Mad Dragon is one of the most destructive wrestlers on the planet and Corbin’s constant taunting has only heightened his appetite for violent retribution. Ilja Dragunov retains.
NXT Deadline streams live Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 pm ET/PT exclusively on Peacock in the U.S. and onWWE Network everywhere else.