The second edition of the NXT Deadline – WWE’s final Premium Live Event of 2023 lived up to its billing with at least two match of year contenders in Ilja Dragunov vs Baron Corbin – the main event and the Axiom and Nathan Frazer in the kick-off show. The return of Cora Jade became the biggest talking point while the debut of Izzi Dame was another high point of NXT Deadline.
Kickoff: Axiom def. Nathan Frazer
Two of NXT’s best highflyers went toe-to-toe in what was a hard fought battle between the two as Axiom managed to get the better of Frazer. The speed and agility of both superstars was on display. Frazer hit a superplex followed by a twisting neckbreaker and closed in on the win. Axiom managed to kick out of the fall and later finished the match hitting a Spanish fly and a perfect Golden Ratio.
Dragon Lee def. “Dirty” Dominick Mysterio to win the NXT North American Championship
The masked Luchador Dragon Lee won his first championship in the WWE after he defeated Dirty Dom in an exciting matchup. The legendary WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio was present ringside commentating for the match. Dominick’s attempt to embarrass both his dad and his opponent backfired as he lost control of the match. He looked to finish the match with a 619, but was countered by Lee who hit a devastating powerbomb followed by a twisting slam. Lee got the pinfall and celebrated his NXT North American Championship victory embracing Rey Mysterio.
Blair Davenport def. Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan and Fallon Henley in a Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge Match
Blair Davenport overcame four other NXT superstars to become the Women’s Iron Survivor Davenport stole her first fall against Fallon Henley who was hit by an Alabama Slam by Tiffany Stratton. Her next fall came in the form of a double stomp from the rope onto Kelani Jordan. Stratton hit a beautiful moonsault to earn her only fall of the match. Lash Legend managed to score two falls, one each on Stratton and Henley. Davenport’s spotlight was sort of stolen by Cora Jade on her return.
Carmelo Hayes def. Lexis King
So much back and forth happened to the lead up to this match as Lexis King tried to play mind games with Carmelo Hayes. The distractions seemed to have played a part as Melo struggled to take command in the match but the former NXT champion remained focused and hit Nothing but Net to get the pinfall over King After the match, King revealed that he pretended to attack Trick Williams to get a PLE match.
Trick Williams def. Bron Breakker, Dijak, Josh Briggs and Tyler Bate in a Men’s Iron Survivor Match
Dijak scored the first fall with an impressive Feast Your Eyes on Josh Briggs but was soon caught up by Bate and Briggs to tie up the match at one fall apiece. Bate scored another pinfall but Bron Breakker’s three monstrous Spears changed the complexion of the match. Williams had zero falls under his belt until the interference of Eddy Thorpe, which eventually opened the door for Williams who stunned the arena scoring four falls under two minutes to prevail as the Iron Survivor.
Kiana James def. Roxanne Perez in a Steel Cage Match
The animosity between Roxanne Perez and Kiana James was taken into the Steel Cage, in which James stood tall courtesy Izzi Dame. James went for a steel chair, but was stolen by Perez. Just when she intended to use it on her opponent, Izzi Dame arrived and blasted the cage door in the face of The Prodigy, allowing James to hit a Dealbreaker and win the match.
NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov def. Baron Corbin
The Mad Dragon defeated Baron Corbin to prove he is a worthy NXT Champion and closed the event on a high. Corbin repeatedly targeted Dragunov’s midsection displaying his power advantage. However, the champion sustained all the pain and showed great resilience. His anger would only grow after each strike he absorbed and he hit three H-Bombs followed by a clinical Torpedo Moscow. Trick Williams made an appearance after the match at the entranceway for a stare down with the NXT Champion.
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