‘NXT: Deadline 2023’ PPV Review
Welcome to this review of NXT: Deadline, the latest pay-per-view/premium live event from the WWE’s third brand and a show that features the culmination of the “Iron Survivor Challenge” tournament that has taken place over the past few weeks. Let’s see what went down on the show!
Match #1: Axiom def. Nathan Frazer
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A hard-fought battle between two of NXT’s best highflyers went the way of Axiom as he bested Nathan Frazer in a fast-paced match-up.The speed of both Superstars was on full display as was their athleticism, as Axiom’s moonsault to the outside was soon one-upped by Frazer countering a top-rope maneuver by hitting a twisting neckbreaker. One hesitation by Frazer opened the door for Axiom, who hit a scintillating Spanish Fly and followed that up with a perfect Golden Ratio to win the friendly matchup. Perhaps a bit frustrated, Frazer gave Axiom a rough post-match hand slap before getting to his feet and hugging his victorious opponent.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: NXT North American Championship – Dragon Lee def. “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The NXT North American Championship now belongs to Dragon Lee after the masked luchador took down “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio in an emotion-filled matchup. With WWE Hall of Famer and “Dirty” Dom’s father Rey Mysterio sitting on commentary, the champion seemed determined to embarrass both his dad and his opponent, but the bravado backfired in a major way. Mysterio went for his father’s signature move, the 619, but it was countered into a devastating powerbomb, followed by an athletic twisting slam, cementing Lee as the new North American Champion.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match – Winner: Blair Davenport
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Blair Davenport made good on her word as she conquered four other NXT Superstars to become the Women’s Iron Survivor. Davenport scored the first fall against Fallon Henley by tossing Tiffany Stratton out of the ring after The Blonde Bombshell hit an Alabama Slam on Henley, but Henley notched a pinfall on Stratton after her time in the penalty box expired. A double stomp from the rope onto Kelani Jordan gave Davenport another fall, and Stratton earned a pin after a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. With just over 15 seconds remaining in the match, Davenport hit a devastating knee strike on Henley to become the Women’s Iron Survivor.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Carmelo Hayes def. Lexis King
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After weeks of bad blood and accusations, Carmelo Hayes silenced Lexis King in an attempt to prove his innocence in the mysterious attack on his best friend, Trick Williams. King was trying to play mind games with Hayes, but the former NXT Champion remained focused on his goals as he hit Nothing but Net to overcome King. After the match, King claimed that he wasn’t the one who attacked Williams, further angering Hayes.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match – Winner: Trick Williams
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
“Whoop That Trick” made its way to NXT Deadline as Trick Williams became the Men’s Iron Survivor by outlasting four other Superstars. Dijak earned the first fall by hitting an impressive Feast Your Eyes on Josh Briggs, only for a Briggs clothesline and a Tyler Bate rollup to tie the match at one fall apiece before Bron Breakker and Trick Williams could even enter the bout. Another pinfall from Bate was followed by three monster Spears from Breakker, all of which resulted in pins for The Badass. Bate picked up a fall, but so did Briggs, whereas Dijak scored two. However, interference from Eddy Thorpe opened the door for Williams to stun the competition and send the NXT Universe into a frenzy by scoring four falls in just over a minute to walk out as the Iron Survivor.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #6: Steel Cage Match – Kiana James def. Roxanne Perez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The bitter rivalry between Roxanne Perez and Kiana James was taken to the next level inside a Steel Cage, and James stood tall thanks to some help from a new ally. After the two Superstars threw each other around the ring, James opened the door and brought a steel chair into the fold. However, once Perez snatched it away and intended to use it, Izzi Dame arrived and smashed the cage door in the face of The Prodigy, allowing James to hit a Dealbreaker and win the match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #7: Ilja Dragunov def. Baron Corbin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After a brutal war with Baron Corbin, Ilja Dragunov proved he is a worthy NXT Champion by winning a thrilling main event at Deadline. Corbin made it a point to use his power advantage, and he did so by bludgeoning Dragunov’s midsection and making it hard for the champion to move. The Mad Dragon absorbed the pain and took his anger to another level as he hit three H-Bombs before whispering something to the challenger and hitting a match-ending Torpedo Moscow.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Another great Deadline pay-per-view from NXT, one that saw the Iron Survivor matches both deliver great conclusions to the tournament, whilst the opening and closing matches gave the card the solid foundations it needed. The big surprise of the night? “Dirty” Dom losing his title! Though if anyone deserved to pick up the win it’s Dragon Lee! The only letdown was the Hayes/King match, which didn’t really work – nothing to get the audience in attendance, or at home, excited. Still overall Deadline was a win for NXT.
