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	The 2023 '''NXT Deadline''' (stylized as '''DEADL1NE''') was the second annual ] ] ] ] produced by ]. It was held primarily for wrestlers from the promotion's ] ]. The event took place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the ] in ].		The 2023 '''NXT Deadline''' (stylized as '''NXT DEADL1NE''') was the second annual ] ] ] ] produced by ]. It was held primarily for wrestlers from the promotion's ] ]. The event took place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the ] in ].

	Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, ] defeated ] to retain the ]. For the event's ]s, ] won the men's, while the women's was won by ]. In other prominent matches, ] defeated ] and in the opening bout, ]'s ] defeated ]'s ] to win the ]. The event ~~also~~ notably ~~saw~~ the return of ], who had been on hiatus since ~~August~~ 2023.		Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, ] defeated ] to retain the ]. For the event's ]s, ] won the men's, while the women's was won by ]. In other prominent matches, ] defeated ] and in the opening bout, ]'s ] defeated ]'s ] to win the ]. The event notably featured an appearance by ] in NXT for the first time since August 24, 2012; and the return of ], who had been on hiatus since July 2023.

	==Production==		==Production==

Revision as of 15:32, 16 December 2023

WWE livestreaming event

NXT Deadline

Promotional poster featuring Ilja Dragunov, Tiffany Stratton, Lyra Valkyria, Baron Corbin, and Carmelo Hayes

Promotion

WWE

Brand(s)

NXT

Date

December 9, 2023

City

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Venue

Total Mortgage Arena

WWE Network event chronology

← Previous
Survivor Series: WarGames

Next →
Royal Rumble

NXT Deadline chronology

← Previous
2022

Next →
—

NXT Major Events chronology

← Previous
No Mercy

Next →
Vengeance Day

The 2023 NXT Deadline (stylized as NXT DEADL1NE) was the second annual NXT Deadline professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held primarily for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event took place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event, Ilja Dragunov defeated Baron Corbin to retain the NXT Championship. For the event's Iron Survivor Challenges, Trick Williams won the men's, while the women's was won by Blair Davenport. In other prominent matches, Carmelo Hayes defeated Lexis King and in the opening bout, SmackDown's Dragon Lee defeated Raw's "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio to win the NXT North American Championship. The event notably featured an appearance by CM Punk in NXT for the first time since August 24, 2012; and the return of Cora Jade, who had been on hiatus since July 2023.

Production

Background

In December 2022, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE held a livestreaming event for its developmental brand, NXT, called NXT Deadline, which replaced the previously annual event, NXT WarGames. The inaugural Deadline debuted the Iron Survivor Challenge match-type in WWE for both the men and women, which is a five-person match in which a wrestler attempts to score the most falls before the 25-minute time limit expires to earn a future match for the NXT Championship and NXT Women's Championship, respectively.

On September 28, 2023, WWE announced the return of Deadline, thus establishing Deadline as NXT's annual December event. It was scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and aired on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network in most international markets. This was also the first televised WWE event held at this venue since NXT TakeOver: XXV in June 2019, when the arena was known as the Webster Bank Arena (renamed in 2022).

Storylines

The event comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand, while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT, and the supplementary online streaming show, Level Up.

Qualifying matches for the men's Iron Survivor Challenge began on the November 7 episode of NXT. Dijak became the first qualified entrant by defeating Tyler Bate. The following week, Trick Williams qualified by defeating Joe Coffey. On the November 21 episode, Josh Briggs qualified by defeating Carmelo Hayes. The following week, Bron Breakker qualified by defeating Eddy Thorpe. On the December 5 episode, the final spot in the men's Iron Survivor Challenge was determined by a last chance fatal four-way match between Bate, Coffey, Hayes, and Thorpe, which Bate won.

Qualifying matches for the women's Iron Survivor Challenge also began on the November 7 episode of NXT. Tiffany Stratton became the first qualified entrant by defeating Fallon Henley. The following week, Lash Legend qualified by defeating Roxanne Perez. On the November 21 episode, Blair Davenport qualified by defeating Thea Hail. The following week, Kelani Jordan qualified by defeating Kiana James. On the December 5 episode, the final spot in the women's Iron Survivor Challenge was determined by a last chance fatal four-way match between Henley, Perez, Hail, and James, which Henley won.

After Ilja Dragunov's successful defense of the NXT Championship on Night 2 of NXT: Halloween Havoc, Baron Corbin attacked Dragunov backstage and threatened him. On the November 14 episode of NXT, Dragunov attempted to try and attack Corbin after the latter's match, but Corbin stopped and attacked him. Dragunov then accepted Corbin's challenge for an NXT Championship match at Deadline.

On the July 18 episode of NXT, Raw's "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio defeated Wes Lee to win the NXT North American Championship after interference from his Judgment Day stablemates. After failing to regain the title at The Great American Bash, Lee set his sights on the NXT Championship, which he failed to win at NXT: Heatwave. On the September 12 episode of NXT, Lee failed to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship. Lee was later seen clearing out his locker and when asked about it, Lee said that he was going home and that he was done. Lee returned a month later during Night 2 of NXT: Halloween Havoc and attacked Mysterio after his successful title defense. On the November 28 episode of NXT, as demanded by Mysterio the week before, Lee defeated three former NXT North American Champions in a fatal four-way match to earn a title match against Mysterio at Deadline. The following week, however, Lee announced that he had a legitimate back injury and was not medically cleared to compete. SmackDown's Dragon Lee was then revealed as a replacement to face Mysterio for the title at Deadline with Rey Mysterio in Dragon Lee's corner.

On Night 1 of NXT: Halloween Havoc, Roxanne Perez defeated Kiana James in a Devil's Playground match. Two weeks later, James agreed with Tiffany Stratton that Perez should not be in the Iron Survivor Challenge. James subsequently cost Perez her qualifying match, with Perez in turn costing James hers. On the December 5 episode, Ava announced that James would face Perez in a Steel Cage match at Deadline.

On the December 5 episode of NXT, Axiom and Nathan Frazer had their match interrupted by the competitors in the women's Iron Survivor Challenge, causing the match to end in a no contest. A rematch between Axiom and Frazer was later scheduled for the Deadline Kickoff pre-show.

On the October 17 episode of NXT, Trick Williams was added to a triple threat match to make it a fatal four-way match to earn an NXT Championship match at NXT: Halloween Havoc. This announcement caused a rift between Williams and longtime friend Carmelo Hayes. Before the match began, Williams was found attacked backstage by an unknown assailant and had to be taken to a hospital. Later that night, Hayes went on to win the match. Two weeks later on Night 2 of NXT: Halloween Havoc, Hayes failed to regain the title from Ilja Dragunov after being distracted by the returning Williams. The following week, Williams confronted Hayes and asked if he was the one who attacked him before being interrupted by Lexis King. Williams tried to attack King, but accidentally hit Hayes instead. Two weeks later, King cost Hayes his qualifying match for the Iron Survivor Challenge. On the December 5 episode of NXT, Hayes challenged King to a match at Deadline, which was made official.

Event

**Other on-screen personnel**
Role:	Name:
Commentators	Vic Joseph
	Booker T
	Rey Mysterio (NXT North American Title match)
Spanish commentators	Marcelo Rodríguez
Spanish commentators	Jerry Soto
Ring announcer	Alicia Taylor
Referees	Adrian Butler
	Chip Danning
	Dallas Irvin
	Derek Sanders
	Jeremy Marcus
Interviewer	Kelly Kincaid
Pre-show panel	Megan Morant
	Matt Camp
	Sam Roberts

Pre-show

There was only one match that took place on the pre-show and it was contested between Axiom and Nathan Frazer. In the opening stages, Frazer delivered a springboard reverse DDT to Axiom for a two-count. Axiok then delivered a half-and-half suplex and a PK to Frazer for a two-count. Axiom then delivered an Orihara moonsault, but as he attempted to go to the top rope, Frazer stopped him and delivered a superplex into a twisting suplex for a two-count. As Frazer attempted a Phoenix Splash, Axiom stopped him and delivered an enzeguiri. Axiom then landed an avalanche Spanish Fly and hit the Golden Ratio on Frazer to win the match.

Preliminary matches

The event began with NXT Head of Creative, Shawn Michaels coming out and asking the crowd if they were ready. This brought out CM Punk, in his first NXT appearance since 2012. Punk then endorsed Michaels and teased signing with NXT.

The opening match of the show was for the NXT North American Championship contested between defending champion Dominik Mysterio and challenger Dragon Lee (accompanied by Rey Mysterio). In the opening stages, Lee landed a somersault plancha and a slingshot hurricarana to Dominik for a two-count. Lee then locked in a Fujiwara Armbar on Dominik, but Dominik reached the bottom ropes. Dominik then delivered an apron DDT to Lee for a two-count. Dominik then delivered a slingshot senton to Lee for a two-count. Lee then delivered a diving double foot stomp to Dominik onto the outside. Lee then delivered a pop-up superkick and another diving double foot stomp to Dominik for a nearfall. As Lee attempted the Asai DDT, Dominik impeded it with a dropkick for a two-count. Lee then delivered a snap German suplex, but as he attempted a sit-out powerbomb, Dominik escaped and delivered a sit-out powerbomb for a two-count. Dominik then attempted the 619, but Lee escaped and delivered a sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. Lee then hit the Asai DDT on Dominik to win the North American title.

The next match was the Women's Iron Survivor Challenge contested between Blair Davenport, Lash Legend, Fallon Henley, Tiffany Stratton and Kelani Jordan. Davenport and Henley were the first two competitors. Davenport delivered a Big boot and a sliding knee strike to Henley for a two-count. Henley then delivered a sliding dropkick and a sliding forearm smash to Davenport for a two-count. Stratton then entered the match next. Stratton delivered a double handspring elbow to both Henley and Davenport in the corner. Stratton then delivered an Alabama Slam to Henley for a two-count. Davenport then threw Stratton out of the ring and pinned Henley to score her first fall (Davenport 1–Henley 0–Stratton 0–Legend 0–Jordan 0). Kelani Jordan entered the match next. Jordan then delivered a slingshot dropkick and a split-legged moonsault to Davenport for a two-count. Henley then delivered a Blockbuster and the Shining Wizard to Stratton to score her first fall (Davenport 1–Henley 1–Stratton 0–Legend 0–Jordan 0). Legend then entered the match last and delivered powerbombs to both Henley and Stratton. Legend then delivered a chokeslam to Stratton and a powerbomb to Henley. Legend then placed Henley on top of Stratton and pinned both women simultaneously to score two falls (Davenport 1–Henley 1–Stratton 0–Legend 2–Jordan 0). Jordan then landed a springboard moonsault on Legend. Meta-Four (Noam Dar, Oro Mensah and Jakara Jackson) then came out to prevent Stratton and Henley from escaping the penalty box. Stratton and Henley were then vying to escape through the top of the box. Henley escaped, but Stratton pushed her through the table. Stratton then landed a diving senton to Meta-Four from the top of the penalty box. Davenport then landed a diving double foot stomp to Jordan and pinned her to score her second fall (Davenport 2–Henley 1–Stratton 0–Legend 2–Jordan 0). Jordan then landed a diving crossbody onto Legend for a two-count. Stratton then delivered a rolling Death Valley Driver to Jordan and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Legend and pinned Legend to score her first fall (Davenport 2–Henley 1–Stratton 1–Legend 2–Jordan 0). Jordan then landed a 450° splash onto Davenport for a two-count. Davenport then hit the Kamigoye on Jordan and pinned her to score her third and decisive fall (Davenport 3–Henley 1–Stratton 1–Legend 2–Jordan 0). The buzzer then sounded, declaring Davenport the winner of the Iron Survivor Challenge. After the match, Davenport then called out NXT Women's Champion Lyra Valkyria and said that she will beat Valkyria for the title. As Valkyria was making her way onto the ramp, Cora Jade made her return to NXT for the first time since the July 25th episode of NXT; and proceeded to attack Valkyria.

In the next match, Carmelo Hayes faced Lexis King. In the closing stages, King delivered a double foot stomp to Hayes for a two-count. King then delivered two backbreakers and a running knee strike to Hayes for another two-count. Hayes then delivered a springboard DDT and La Mistica to King for a two-count. King then hit Hayes with a Jackhammer for a nearfall. Hayes then pushed King into the steel steps and delivered a step-up enzeguiri for a two-count. King delivered a backbreaker, but Hayes then hit the First 48 Codebreaker and then the Nothing But Net on King for the win.

The next match was the Men's Iron Survivor Challenge contested between Trick Williams, Bron Breakker, Dijak, Josh Briggs and Tyler Bate. Dijak and Briggs were the first two competitors. Briggs delivered a running headscissors and a Pounce to Dijak for a two-count. Dijak then delivered a chokeslam to Briggs for a two-count. Dijak then hit Feast Your Eyes on Briggs to score his first fall (Dijak 1–Briggs 0–Breakker 0–Bate 0–Williams 0). Bate entered the match next two uppercuts to Dijak. Bate then landed a corner exploder suplex to Dijak for a two-count. Briggs then entered the ring and delivered a running lariat to Dijak to score his first fall (Dijak 1–Briggs 1–Breakker 0–Bate 0–Williams 0). Bate then delivered a flying uppercut and the Tyler Driver '97 to Briggs for a two-count. As Dijak attempted Feast Your Eyes, Bate escaped and used a schoolboy pin on Dijak to score his first fall (Dijak 1–Briggs 1–Breakker 0–Bate 1–Williams 0). Williams entered the match next and delivered leg lariats to Bate and Briggs. Williams then hit a pop-up haymaker to Bate. As Dijak attempted a flying clothesline, Williams impeded it with a pump knee strike for a two-count. Bate then a step-up enzeguiri, a slingshot clothesline and the Tyler Driver '97 to Williams to score his second fall. (Dijak 1–Briggs 1–Breakker 0–Bate 2–Williams 0). Breakker entered the match last and delivered three consecutive spears to Briggs, Bate and Dijak to score three falls (Dijak 1–Briggs 1–Breakker 3–Bate 2–Williams 0). Williams then delivered a flying corssbidy to everyone on the outside, but as he attempted to enter back in the ring, Breakker stopped him. Dijak then hit a Cyclone Boot on Williams to score his second fall (Dijak 2–Briggs 1–Breakker 3–Bate 2–Williams 0). Breakker and Bate then delivered a Frankensteiner/Powerbomb combination onto Dijak, with Bate scoring his third fall (Dijak 2–Briggs 1–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 0). Briggs and Dijak then hit stereo moonsaults onto Williams and Breakker to score their second and third falls respectively (Dijak 3–Briggs 2–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 0). Bate then delivered a springboard tornado DDT to Dijak for a two-count. Breakker then slammed Williams's head onto the ring post and delivered a Spear to him through the barricade. Dijak then immediately delivered a chokeslam to Breakekr through the announce table. As Dijak attempted another Feast Your Eyes, Briggs escaped and Williams used a schoolboy pin on Briggs to score his first fall, but Dijak immediately delivered a big boot to Williams (Dijak 3–Briggs 2–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 1). Dijak then landed Feast Your Eyes on Williams, but Eddy Thorpe came out and pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the count. Thorpe then hit Dijak onto the turnbuckles and delivered an enzeguiri to him, allowing Williams to use another schoolboy pin on Dijak to score his second fall (Dijak 3–Briggs 2–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 2). Bate then delivered a Tornillo splash and attempted the Tyler Driver '97, but Williams reversed it into a jacknife pin to score his third fall (Dijak 3–Briggs 2–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 3). Breakker then attempted a Spear, but Williams impeded it with a running pump knee strike and pinned Breakker to score his fourth and decisive fall (Dijak 3–Briggs 2–Breakker 3–Bate 3–Williams 4). The buzzer sounded and Williams was declared the Iron Survivor.

In the penultimate match, Roxanne Perez faced Kiana James in a Steel Cage match. In the opening stages, Roxanne delivered a running dropkick to Kiana for a two-count. Kiana then delivered a Spear to Roxanne into the steel cage and a spinebuster for a two-count. Perez then delivered a basement dropkick and a Side Russian legsweep to Kiana for a two-count. Kiana then delivered a top-rope powerbomb to Roxanne for a nearfall. Roxanne then landed Pop Rox to Kiana for a nearfall. Roxanne then delivered a spinning back kick to Kiana and threatened Kiana with a steel chair. As Roxanne was making her way to the cage door, Izzi Dame came out and slammed the cage door onto Roxanne's face. Kiana then hit Roxanne with a chair shot and hit The Deal Breaker and pinned Roxanne to win the match.

Main event

In the main event, Ilja Dragunov defended the NXT Championship against Baron Corbin. In the opening stages, Corbin attempted a clothesline to Dragunov, but Dragunov ducked and delivered a German suplex to Corbin on the outside. Corbin then delivered a Gourd buster and a Uranage to Dragunov for a two-count. Dragunov attempted a senton, but Corbin escaped and delivered a flying clothesline for a two-count. Corbin then delivered a DDT and a gutbuster to Dragunov. Corbin attempted a chokeslam, but Dragunov blocked and delivered a running knee strike and a senton bomb. Dragunov then delivered a headbutt and a feint clothesline to Corbin. Dragunov then hit a running corner face wash and a bridging German suplex to Corbin for a two-count. Corbin then delivered a chokeslam to Dragunov from the top rope for a two-count. Dragunov then delivered a running Death Valley Driver into the turbuckles and attempted the Torpedo Moscow, but Corbin intercepted it with a Deep Six for a nearfall. Corbin then delivered a Death Valley Driver and a brainbuster for a two-count. Corbin attempted the End of Days, but Dragunov stood back up and delivered a powerbomb and a Coast-to-Coast. Corbin attempted another End of Days, but Dragunov escaped and delivered a leaping DDT and three consecutive H-Bombs. Dragunov then hugged Corbin and delivered the Torpedo Moscow and pinned him to retain the NXT title.

Results

No.

Results

Stipulations

Times

Axiom defeated Nathan Frazer by pinfall

Singles match