Here are my NXT Deadline Thoughts, Facts, & Stats:
My Picks: Axiom, Hayes, Perez, Stratton, Williams, Mysterio, Dragunov.
Incredible match between Axiom & Nathan Frazer. In a way, I'm glad that it ended the way it did on NXT. That way we got a much longer match tonight. MY PICKS: 1 for 1.
Fun segment with Shawn Michaels & CM Punk. Love Punk wearing a Bret Hart Hoodie. The only time Punk wrestled in an NXT Ring was in the competition version in 2010 though he did make a few appearances when Seth Rollins was NXT Champion in 2012. Tonight was the 1st time that Punk & HBK were in the ring since a Triple Threat Match on Raw on 2/8/10 with DX, ShowMiz, & The Straight Edge Society.
Good opening video.
The Penalty Box is next to the Commentator's Table instead of the aisle. So at least it won't take the wrestlers a long time to go in the box. That was a problem last year giving them less time in the box.
Dragon Lee VS Dominik Mysterio was an incredible match. I wonder what the plan was if Wes Lee didn't get injured. MY PICKS: 1 for 2.
Cool video on GUNTHER & Imperium, though I think it's stupid to do profiles on main roster wrestlers on NXT PPVs.
My OCD hates when they use 1st names. They should use last names.
Blair Davenport VS Fallon Henley VS Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend VS Tiffany Stratton had its moments like Stratton's dive off the Box, but I wasn't into the match until the end. Sorry to the 4 women involved not named Lash Legend. What Legend did wasn't impressive. She only picked up 2 wrestlers at a time, not 4. MY PICKS: 1 for 3.
Lyra Valkyria VS Blair Davenport will be good at New Year's Evil. Wow, Cora Jade is back. Cool.
Again, a stupid profile video on a main roster talent instead of one on an NXT talent. Who cares about Bobby Lashley?
Interesting conversation with Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams. Carmelo Hayes VS Lexis King was a great match. Good way for King to showcase his talents. I'm still intrigued to find out who attacked Trick Williams. MY PICKS: 2 for 4.
Finally videos on NXT wrestlers with Nikkita Lyons & Tony D'Angelo. Good promo by Cora Jade. Cool video on Vengeance Day. Another good exchange with Hayes & Williams. They must be setting up the Cage.
Nevermind, the Men's Iron Survivor Challenge is next.
My OCD hates this. They have everyone's last name now except for Trick. Be consistent.
Tyler Bate VS Bron Breakker VS Josh Briggs VS Dijak VS Trick Williams was awesome. It is now my favorite Iron Survivor Challenge Match of All-Time. I love everything about it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. What a finish. MY PICKS: 3 for 5.
Interesting entrance for Kiana Jame from WWE HQ.
Horrible segment with Briggs, Jensen, & Henley & Meta-Four. I guess we're getting another Mixed Tag soon.
Roxanne Perez VS Kiana James had some OK moments, but the finish was stupid. Both Roxxane & Kiana are now 1-1-0 at Deadline. But I was shocked when Booker mentioned Jimmy Snuka, who has been erased from WWE History. Who cares about Izzy Dame? MY PICKS: 3 for 6.
Excited for the Men's Breakout Tournament & this week's NXT except for the Mixed Tag, which we saw one last week.
Ilja Dragunov VS Baron Corbin was an excellent match. I have said it the past, but it bears repeating. Corbin moving to NXT has been a great career move for him as he has improved in both the ring & on the mic. Dragunov VS Williams will be incredible at New Year's Evil. MY PICKS: 4 for 7.
Here are my NXT Deadline Match Rankings:
1) Tyler Bate VS Bron Breakker VS Josh Briggs VS Dijak VS Trick Williams
2) Ilja Dragunov VS Baron Corbin
3) Dragon Lee VS Dominik Mysterio
4) Axiom VS Nathan Frazer
5) Carmelo Hayes VS Lexis King
6) Roxanne Perez VS Kiana James
7) Blair Davenport VS Fallon Henley VS Kelani Jordan VS Lash Legend VS Tiffany Stratton
Overall, Deadline was awesome ending an amazing year of WWE & NXT PPVs. I know I sound like a sexist, but I loved all of the Men's Matches with the Iron Survivor being my favorite of All-Time. I can't wait to see what in store for 2024.
Ends Deadline Thoughts & Facts & Stats. For the Complete Deadline W/L Records, visit
darrenswinloss.wordpress.com/nxtdeadline/Good night. See you Monday for Raw Thoughts & Facts & Stats.
DEADL1NE FACTS:
NXT Deadl1ne was the 6th NXT PPV of 2023, making Carmelo Hayes the only wrestler to wrestle on every NXT PPV of 2023. This was the 2nd Deadl1ne in a row to not have a Women’s Championship Match, the 1st NXT PPV of 2023 to not have an NXT Women’s Championship Match & the 1st since Dead1ine on 12/10/22 to not have one. This was the 1st Deadl1ne to not have a Tag Team Championship Match, the 1st NXT PPV of 2023 to not have an NXT Tag Team Championship Match, & the 1st NXT PPV since Halloween Havoc on 10/22/22 to not have one.
AXIOM VS NATHAN FRAZER was the 3rd Kickoff Match in a row in 2023 & the 1st Kickoff Match at Deadl1ne. It was Axiom’s 2nd Deadl1ne in a row, but 1st 1-on-1 Match & 1st Kickoff Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 1st PPV since Stand & Deliver on April 1 & 1st Kickoff Match of 2023. It was Nathan Frazer’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st 1-on-1 Match & Kickoff Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 1st PPV & 1st Kickoff Match since Great American Bash on 7/30 & 1st 1-on-1 Match on NXT PPV in his Career. This was the 6th 1-on-1 Match between them after NXT UK on 12/16/21 (won by Axiom), NXT on 9/6/22 (won by Axiom), NXT on 9/20/22 & 10/11/22 (both won by Frazer), & NXT on 12/5/23 (ended in a No Contest) so Axiom now won 4, Frazer won 1, & 1 match ended in a No Contest.
DRAGON LEE VS DOMINK MYSTERIO was the 18th North American Championship Match of 2023, the 1st since NXT on October 31, the 6th PPV in a row in 2023, & 1st at Deadl1ne. This was Dragon Lee’s 1st Deadl1ne, making him the 1st wrestler to make his Deadl1ne debut challenging for the North American Championship. This was his 1st NXT match since he lost a Fatal 4-Way to Trick Williams along with Axiom & Tyler Bate on 9/26 & his 1st NXT PPV since Great American Bash on 7/30. Since he won, he is the 1st 1st-time Champion since Trick Williams. This was Dominik Mysterio’s 1st Deadl1ne, making him the 1st wrestler to defend the NXT North American Championship at Deadl1ne. This was his 3rd NXT PPV in a row in 2023. This was Dominik Mysterio’s 2nd North American Title Defense, so since he lost, he is the 1st since Isaiah Scott who lost to Carmelo Hayes on NXT on 10/12/21 to lose in his 2nd Defense. As of Deadl1ne, Dominik Mysterio’s North American Championship Reign has lasted 67 Days, so since he lost, he was the 1st since Damian Priest (8/22/20 – 10/28/20) to lose in 67 Days which is the 7th Shortest Reign of All-Time. This was the 3rd 1-on-1 Match between them after NXT on 8/8 & Raw on 9/25, which were both won by Mysterio so now Lee won 1 & Mysterio 2. This was the 1st North American Championship Match to open NXT Deadl1ne & both Lee & Mysterio's 1st Deadl1ne opener. This was the 4th North American Title Change of 2023 & 1st since Mysterio defeated Trick Williams at No Mery on 9/30. It was the 21st in History & 1st ever at Deadl1ne.
BLAIR DAVENPORT VS FALLON HENLEY VS KELANI JORDAN VS LASH LEGEND VS TIFFANY STRATTON was the 1st Iron Survival Challenge Match of 2023 & the 3rd at Deadl1ne & 2nd year in a row. It was the 4th Fatal 5-Way Match of 2023, the 1st since Crown Jewel on 11/4, the 1st for NXT since Stand & Deliver on 4/1, & 3rd at Deadl1ne & 2nd year in a row. This was Blair Davenport’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 1st PPV since Great American Bash on 7/30, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match, & 1st 5-Way Match of her Career. This was Fallon Henley’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 1st PPV since Stand & Deliver on April 1, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match, & 1st 5-Way Match in her Career. This was Kelani Jordan’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 1st PPV since No Mercy on September 30, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match of her Career. This was Lash Legend’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 1st PPV since Great American Bash on 7/30, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match in her Career. This was Tiffany Stratton’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 5th PPV in a row in 2023, her 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match in her Career.
CARMELO HAYES VS LEXIS KING was Carmelo Hayes’ 2nd Deadl1ne in a row, but 1st 1-on-1 Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 6th PPV of 2023, making him the only wrestler to be on every NXT PPV in 2023 & is his 1st Non-Title Match on PPV since he lost to Apollo Crews in a 2 Out of 3 Falls Match at Vengeance Day on 2/4. This was Lexis King’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st NXT PPV in his Career.
TYLER BATE VS BRON BREAKKER VS JOSH BRIGGS VS DIJAK VS TRICK WILLIAMS was the 2nd Iron Survival Challenge Match of 2023 & the 4th at Deadl1ne & 2nd year in a row. It was the 5th Fatal 5-Way Match of 2023 & the 1st time there were 2 in 2023 & 2nd year in a row there were 2 at Deadl1ne. This was Tyler Bate’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 1st PPV since Battleground on 5/28, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match in his Career. This was Bron Breakker’s 2nd Deadl1ne in a row & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 2nd PPV in a row in 2023, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match, & 1st 5-Way Match of his Career. This was Josh Briggs’ 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. This was his 1st PPV of 2023 & 1st PPV overall since Worlds Collide on 9/4/22, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match of his Career. This was Dijak’s 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 1st PPV since Vengeance Day on 2/4, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match in his Career. This was Trick Williams’ 1st Deadl1ne & 1st Iron Survivor Challenge & 5-Way Match at Deadl1ne. It was his 2nd PPV in a row in 2023, 1st Iron Survivor Challenge Match & 1st 5-Way Match in his Career.
ROXANNE PEREZ VS KIANA JAMES was the 7th Steel Cage Match of 2023, the 1st since Payback on 9/2, the 1st in NXT since 8/29, the 1st Women’s Steel Cage Match since NXT on 5/30, 1st on NXT PPV since Vengeance Day on 2/4, & 1st Women’s Steel Cage Match on NXT PPV in History. It was Roxanne Perez’s 2nd Deadl1ne in a row but 1st 1-on-1 Match at Deadl1ne. It was her 1st PPV since Great American Bash on 7/30 & her 1st Steel Cage Match in her Career. This was Kiana James’ 2nd Deadl1ne in a row but 1st 1-on-1 Match at Deadl1ne. This was her 1st PPV since Stand & Deliver on 4/1, her 1st 1-on-1 Match on PPV in her Career, & her 1st Steel Cage Match in her Career. This was the 3rd 1-on-1 Match between them after NXT on 5/17/22 & 10/24/23, which were both won by Perez, so Perez won 2 & James won 1.
ILJA DRAGUNOV VS BARON CORBIN was the 13th NXT Championship Match of 2023, 1st since NXT on 10/31, & 6th PPV in a row in 2023, making it the only Championship to be defended at every NXT PPV of 2023. It was the 2nd NXT Championship Match at Deadl1ne in a row, making it the only Championship to be defended at every Deadl1ne. This was Ilja Dragunov’s 1st Deadl1ne, making it the 2nd year in a row that someone made their Deadl1ne debut defending the NXT Championship. It was his 3rd PPV in a row in 2023. This was Ilja Dragunov’s 3rd NXT Championship Defense, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 1st since Dolph Ziggler who lost to Bron Breakker on Raw on 4/4/22 to lose in his 3rd Defense. As of Deadl1ne, Ilja Dragunov’s NXT Championship Reign has lasted 70 Days, so if he would have lost, he would have been the 1st to lose in 70 Days, which is the 10th Shortest Reign of All-Time. This was Baron Corbin’s 1st Deadl1ne, making him the 2nd year in a row that someone made their Deadl1ne debut challenging for the NXT Championship. It was his 3rd PPV in a row in 2023. If Baron Corbin would have won, he would have been the 3rd 1st-time Champion in a row & the 8th to be a former United States Champion after Andrade, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Robert Roode, & Dolph Ziggler. This was the 2nd 1-on-1 Match between them after NXT on 6/13, which was won by Corbin. This was the 2nd year in a row that the NXT Championship main evented Deadl1ne & was both Ilja Dragunov & Baron Corbin’s 1st Deadl1ne main event, the 1st NXT Championship Match to main event an NXT PPV since Great American Bash on 7/30, Dragunov’s 1st NXT PPV main event since Great American Bash on 7/30, & Corbin’s 1st NXT PPV main event of 2023. The NXT Championship has changed hands 3 times in 2023, with the last title change taking place when Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes at No Mercy on 9/30. It has changed hands 29 times in History. It has never changed hands at Deadl1ne.