[WWE theme music]
[narrator] Then.
[man cheering]
[The Rock] Can you smell…
[narrator] Now.
[John Cena] You can't see me!
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
What is the value…
[sirens wailing]
[narrator] …of time?
[Shawn] At NXT Deadline, we will present to you
a revolutionary new match
never done before in WWE history.
One for the men. And one for the women.
The Iron Survivor Challenge.
[epic music]
[narrator] For these ten gladiators…
time is priceless.
[Shawn] The superstar with more falls when the clock ticks 25 minutes
will be named the number one contender for the NXT championship.
[narrator] But as time marches forward…
just whose vision will be tinted…
in gold?
["Puppeteer" playing]
[Apollo] Everyone wants an opportunity
at this championship.
Apollo Crews is back to make history.
♪ Take me away ♪
♪ I'm hanging like a puppet here… ♪
[Vic] It's Crews-Breakker for the NXT title.
♪ I think that I'm about to break… ♪
Alba Fyre.
[Isla giggling]
[male announcer] Isla Dawn!
I hope you're watching.
[crowd gasping]
Isla, your actions have ignited a fury
that you cannot contain.
[crowd gasping]
[narrator] As the clock clicks toward another new year,
is it the dawn of a "New Day" for NXT?
-[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! -You said you beat everybody, right?
-You beat everybody already, right? -They beat everybody except your boys…
-The New Day! -[crowd] The New Day!
♪ Take me away… ♪
[Vic] The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line.
New Day taking on Pretty Deadly.
♪ I think that I'm about to break… ♪
[narrator] Tonight…
two Iron Survivors will rise.
[Vic] Who's gonna beat the clock?
[sirens wailing]
[narrator] Tonight, the "Deadline" is upon us.
And the time…
is now.
[Vic] Who will stake their claim to a golden opportunity at NXT Deadline?
[promotional announcer] And now, Draft Kings presents NXT Deadline.
[crowd cheering] NXT!
[Vic] It's the final Premium Live Event. And what a way to close out 2022.
Championships will be defended. History will be made.
And number one contenders will be decided.
Let's waste no more time.
Our ring announcer Alicia Taylor is ready to welcome us to NXT Deadline.
-[crowd cheering] NXT! -[bell ringing]
The following contest is the Women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
[crowd cheering]
There is a 25-minute time limit,
with five superstars competing to become the number one contender.
Two superstars will start the match.
With every five minutes thereafter,
a new superstar will enter until all competitors are inside the ring.
Falls can be won at any time
via pinfall, submission, or disqualification.
When a superstar scores a fall, they will earn one point.
When a superstar loses a fall, that superstar is forced out of the ring
and into a penalty box for 90 seconds before they can re-enter the match.
The superstar who has scored the most falls
when the clock hits 25 minutes will be named Iron Survivor
and become the number one contender for the NXT Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Roxanne Perez's theme music]
♪ Rise up before we all fall down… ♪
[Alicia] Introducing first…
Roxanne Perez!
[Vic] Well, Book, are you ready to make some history?
You see Perez taking a deep breath as she takes it all in.
[Booker] I told Roxanne,
"When you go out there, do just that, Vic, take it all in."
Because this right here,
this is a moment.
This right here, Vic, this is going to be history.
Oh, my man, what a night.
[Vic] Perez drawing number one,
certainly has an uphill battle.
And look, Book, every second matters
in these Iron Survivor Challenge matches.
The women kick us off. The men still to come.
But for Perez,
she can't hesitate like we've seen in the past.
[Booker] That's one thing, Vic.
When you're young, you make mistakes,
but it's about learning from those mistakes, Vic.
[Zoey Stark's theme music]
♪ What you see is what you get And I don't care if you get all of it ♪
[Alicia] Next…
Zoey Stark!
[Vic] Both superstars have looked over to the penalty box,
which is a unique twist in this match up.
As you heard from Alicia,
you get pinned, you submit, you enter that penalty box for 90 seconds.
Well, you talked about growth. You talked about learning.
For Zoey Stark, she's learned that she just needs herself.
Was she in need, Book, in your opinion,
of that attitude change we've seen?
[Booker] You know what? I would say yes. I'll tell you why.
Zoey understands now
in this business,
you can't count on anybody, and I mean anybody, but yourself, Vic.
And I'm not blaming Nikkita or anything.
But that team just didn't gel.
-[Booker] That's how the old mop flop. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] Oh, the clock has started.
[crowd chanting] Roxy!
[Booker] Oh, here we go.
-[crowd chanting] Roxy! -[crowd chanting] Zoey!
[Vic] No doubt who the NXT universe is behind.
That might just fire up Roxanne Perez.
You see the scoreboard underneath?
When you gain a fall, you gain a point.
Whether it's pinfall, submission, disqualification.
Whoever has the most decisions, the most points,
after 25 minutes will win and will be the Women's Iron Survivor.
As quickly Stark was looking for a cover, a count, a fall, and a quick kick out.
But a big question all week long, Book.
What's the ideal time to enter this match up?
Because these two, they got to go the distance.
[Booker] You know,
let me say, coming in at number five,
you got the best chances.
And I would agree with that.
Because you're going to be fresh, ready to go.
Everybody's going to be tired, but--
-[Vic] Perez stepping through. Nice bridge. Cover.
[Booker] Almost, man.
But if you want to make history, man,
I go back to 1995 Royal Rumble match.
Shawn Michaels coming in at number one and surviving and winning that thing.
We wouldn't be talking about Shawn Michaels the same way
if he wouldn't had did it that way.
So number one tonight, you can make history
in the grandest fashion.
And I'm looking forward to my girl Roxanne Perez
to make history, man.
[Vic] Well, you've known her since her first day in the industry.
I've said it before, you're a proud papa here.
[Booker] Well, I am. Roxanne Perez started with me at 16 years old,
was champion at 17 years old.
But she been wanting to do this since she was seven years old.
And tonight she has the chance. Oh my God!
She has a chance to do it. And I'm sitting right here.
You're talking about proud.
Vic, man!
[Vic laughing] Well, look, when it comes to Perez,
she has talked about how much being a champion means to her.
And really, this is huge for Perez in such quick fashion here in NXT.
She's in a huge match up here tonight.
[Booker] Meteoric rise for Roxanne Perez.
I mean, she's a star.
Not a star in the making.
Right now, Roxanne Perez, like I said, tonight, if she can pull…
Vic, look at that. Look at the timing. Look at the patience.
If she could pull this thing off tonight…
[Booker laughing]
[Vic] Perez looking for the backslide. Trying to get Stark down.
You see the clock approaching two and a half minutes.
At minute five, a new superstar will enter into this match up.
[Booker] Bad position for Roxanne.
Because Zoey's got a lot of leverage.
As well as she's strong.
She's got a lot of upper body strength.
-[crowd chanting] Zoey! -[Booker] Oh, man. So close.
[Vic] Stark is trying to fight through it. I come back to her.
Because do you believe,
in her words, that she's been "sleeping on her own potential"
for the last two years?
The shoulders are down, though. A cover and a kick out.
[Booker] One thing about this business--
-[Vic] Crucifix cover. -[Booker] Man, almost.
The sand in the hour glass, man, is always running.
-[Vic] Another step through and near fall. -[Booker] The clock is ticking, man.
And you don't want to wake up one day wondering what happened to the time.
That's what Zoey is all about right now.
She knows this is a moment.
Like I say, when you have a moment, Vic,
you got to cash in because it could be gone just like that.
[Vic] Nice take down.
You've talked about the time. You've seen these superstars…
Now a roll through, shoulders down.
Again Stark a second away from the first fall in this match up.
But you've seen both competitors look up at the clock,
which is three and a half minutes.
That's a distraction.
You got to stay focused on the task.
[Booker] Matches like this, you got to question yourself.
You never been in a match like this. You wonder, can I go the limit?
Can I weather the storm?
And that right there is a question that we just don't know yet.
We're going to find out tonight.
[Vic] This is, as you said, first time ever, history in the making.
What would your strategy be if you were these superstars
having to go the distance, as you say… And a big slam by Stark!
And quickly now into the cover, hook of the leg, and another kick out.
[Booker] They say with fighters, Vic, you do all the preparation and training.
The fight is easy if you train properly.
And I'm sure these ladies right here are ready to go out here tonight
and display something to the world.
I'm sure they're ready, Vic.
[Vic] Under a minute until the third superstar
will enter into this match up.
Now you got to think, if you're Stark,
do you try to conserve a little energy over these next 30 minutes?
You keep your foot on the gas? Perez right now is doing just that.
Taking it right to Stark and applying the pressure into the cover.
But transitions into a submission.
[Booker] Submissions, yes, but just trying to hold that armbar,
I don't like that. You need to try to get some pins.
You need to try to bank some money early.
[Vic] Isn't it wise of Perez, she's focusing on that injured elbow.
[crowd] Six, five, four, three…
[Vic] And a roll through. Shoulders down, kick out.
And the first five minutes are up. Who's number three?
-[Kiana James' theme music] -[Vic] Kiana James.
There comes James quickly making it into this match up.
And she's fresh.
She's the fresher of these two, and she has said her belief,
it's an innovative match, it's not about pride,
it's not about ego, it's about strategy.
[Booker] Let me tell you something. Kiana James is…
Oh, wow.
[Vic] Up and over. Shoulders down. Will this be it? First fall.
[Booker] Kiana James, she's a business woman.
She's all about strategy, Vic.
I'm going to tell you right now, if you don't follow the instruction,
it will lead to destruction.
And I don't think this is going to happen for James tonight.
And a perfect position to… Wow!
[Vic] What a kick by James and quickly crawling over for the cover.
And Perez wisely, because, again, whoever has the most falls,
the most decisions, the most submissions, whoever has the most points
at the end of 25 minutes wins this match.
[Booker] Yes, you was talking about Perez working on that bad arm.
But it's going to be too much going on.
There's so much traffic tonight.
You just got to go out here like I say and get a pin, get a win,
when you get a chance.
[Kiana] What is your problem?!
[Vic] Usually, there are all four people talking a little bit of trash.
But that just wasted precious seconds through Kiana James.
You got to stay at it. Nice forearm on the jaw.
[Booker] She is a boss.
She is used to giving instructions, barking out orders.
Maybe not a good situation to be in, but tonight, Kiana James, like I say--
[Vic] What a dropkick by Stark taking out both.
But James fell into the cover and Stark wisely…
-[Vic] Whew! -[Booker] So close.
[Vic] You talk about Kiana James, is she the forgotten name in this match up?
Is she being overlooked?
[Booker] Let me tell you something.
If you're one of those ladies in the locker room, you know…
-[Vic] A miss and again. -[Booker] …everything about Kiana James.
You don't want to sleep on someone because you can lose your meal ticket.
Oh, wow.
[Vic] Clock is over seven minutes.
At minute ten, the next superstar will enter this match.
We're getting no falls thus far,
which means the penalty box hasn't come in to this match up.
Because once you are pinned,
once you are submitted, once you are disqualified,
you get sent into that penalty box for 90 seconds, Book.
What a kick, an enzuigiri right between the eyes.
[Booker] But the one thing for me, I'm looking for someone
who's trying to be smart and trying to steal one.
I don't care how you get a pinfall. I don't care how you get a win.
But you need to get as many as you possibly can in a match like this.
Being outside, that's not going to help you.
[Vic] Stark is decimating the field.
And she has her hands on Perez. Again, Perez and Stark, one and two.
And Stark now…
[Vic gasping]
-[Booker] I changed my mind. -[Vic] You can't change your mind.
[Booker] Being outside, it may help you just a little bit.
[crowd booing]
[Vic] The NXT universe
letting Zoey Stark know just how they feel about her.
The rest could be out.
[Booker] See, Vic, that's the switch right there.
That's what we're talking about as far as Zoey.
She's not worried about the universe anymore.
She's worried about me, me, me. That's what she's worried about.
[Vic] Look at James. James comes on the field.
This could be an opportunity.
And almost the first decision going to James,
who of course has that big party that she invited just about everyone to,
including Brooks Jensen.
I'm sure that party is elated with what they just witnessed.
[crowd clapping]
[Booker] I mean, did you see the force behind Zoey Stark?
-[Vic] She ricocheted off the steel post. -[Booker] God, that was a bad shot.
[Booker] She may be down for the count. I don't know, but right now, that woman…
Oh, wow.
[Vic] Pushing and rolling through. Perez rocking James.
And just over one minute another superstar will enter.
Oh! Meeting of the minds between James and Stark.
But Perez, Perez is on her feet.
-[crowd cheering] Roxy! -[Booker mumbling]
[Booker] Right now, Roxanne is in great position
to cash in on something right here.
Just need to get the momentum going. Right now, stay on the bicycle.
[Vic] It could be Perez's best opportunity because in less than 45 seconds,
another superstar is randomly going to enter this match up.
[Booker] Oh, wow.
[Booker] Bad move right there.
[Vic] Stark now… Wait a minute! Turns Perez inside out!
Is this going to be it? James can't get to it in time.
[Booker] Wow.
[Alicia] Zoey Stark has scored a fall.
[Vic] So Zoey Stark gets a first fall, and now for Roxanne Perez,
the 90 seconds has begun because both her feet have hit the floor.
She's now, Book, going to be ushered into the penalty box.
And Stark has the upper hand for ten more seconds.
Can she gain another fall?
[crowd] Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!
-[Vic] Oh! -[sirens wailing]
[Cora Jade's theme music]
♪ Stand up ♪
♪ I will never lay down Right time, wrong day… ♪
[Alicia] Cora Jade!
[Vic] And the resident mean girl of NXT trying to pick up the scraps.
Into a cover. And Stark got that left shoulder up.
But wisely into another cover goes Jade. And again couldn't get the decision.
But right now, you see the clock over Roxanne Perez.
That's the time she has left in the penalty box.
45 more seconds.
So Perez can regain her thoughts inside the penalty box to get a live look.
[Booker] That's what I'm worried about, because, right now, Roxanne Perez,
being the youngest in a match like this, the first, perhaps can make history.
It's going to mess with her psyche perhaps just a little bit.
I hope not.
[Vic] Look at Jade coming in, slice and dice, almost gaining a fall.
There is no depth she will not sink to.
She has ended friendships. She has preyed on the weak.
She has cheated at every opportunity in recent months.
[Booker] Let me tell you something about Cora Jade.
She walks along the same lines as The Fabulous Moolah's, the Mae Young's.
[Vic] Five seconds for Perez.
[Booker] Don't matter how you get a victory
as long as you go out there and get the job done.
[Vic] Talking about getting the job done. Perez hasn't forgotten the beef with Jade.
Getting her hands on Jade and swinging away.
[Booker] I don't like that right there. A lot of motion going on with Roxanne.
That's what I talked to her about.
You can't have emotion.
You got to be solid in a match up like this, man.
[Vic] Perez looking for her first point. Right into Stark. And right now Perez…
Book, not to disagree with you,
but Perez seems to have found a second wind in this match up.
[Booker] I understand, but in a situation like this,
right now, Roxanne Perez, she is moving.
She can run into something. And that could be lights out in a match up.
You got to be thinking, man.
You've got to be smart.
[Vic] We talked about the killer instinct.
At least in the past minute or so,
Perez certainly has shown she has found that killer instinct.
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Booker] Right now the timing looks perfect for Roxanne Perez.
-[Booker] Right now, she's very focused. -[Vic] Russian leg sweep, float over.
[Vic] Hook of the leg. And James breaks up the count.
And remember it was James earlier who couldn't break up the count
when Perez was pinned by Stark,
which saw Zoey as that first and only decision thus far
in this Women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
[Booker] Beautiful reversal right there.
I'm watching Roxanne.
Like I said, she's very good, very patient.
Right there, she just got caught.
[Vic] Perez is looking for Pop Rocks. Jade isolated her. Into the cover!
-[Vic] Was that a three? -[Booker] That was a three.
[Alicia] Cora Jade has scored a fall.
[Vic] It was. Now James has to go to the penalty box for 90 seconds.
Cora one, Zoey one.
This is what you were talking about for Perez, having to stay focused.
Ooh! And right now…
There is Stark off the top! Missile dropkick. Perez rolls through.
[Booker] Whoa, almost. So close.
Right now, it seems like Roxanne Perez is just a step behind the other ladies.
[Vic] Both turning to Jade.
And what an innovative concept this Women's Iron Survivor Challenge is,
combining aspects of the iron man match, the gauntlet match.
The wild card is that penalty box that Kiana James is in
for the next 45 seconds.
And if we go back to the live shot in the ring,
it's Stark looking for a submission.
[Booker] Roxanne is in a bad position.
[Vic] Went for the crossface. And Jade now stepping through.
What's Jade looking for?
The injured knee. Looking for maybe an Indian death lock.
Remember Stark's leg.
Remember Stark's injury, the knee she came back for.
If Stark submits, Cora Jade will get another point.
She'd be in control, Book.
[Booker] Trust me, all the ladies know that.
Right now, Zoey's going to have to suck it up.
She's going to have to do something perhaps she's never done before.
Especially in a match like this, Vic.
[Vic] In less than 60 seconds,
the final competitor will enter the match up.
But in less than five, James is coming back in.
-[indistinct shouting] -[bell ringing]
[Vic] And quickly in comes James, who goes right after Perez.
Into the cover and a kick out.
This is what James has to do.
All three women are down. She's got to try and pick up a fall.
She is down one to Stark and Cora, as is Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] Roxanne, like I said, right now, her psyche may be messing with her.
Because this is a match up no one understands.
No one has been in this position before.
And this is one where you just got to do what you got to do.
You got to suck it up, Vic.
[Vic] Can't forget for Zoey Stark, she has been in this match up,
as has Roxanne Perez, for knocking on 15 minutes.
[Booker] Beautiful.
[crowd] Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,
five, four, three, two, one!
-[Vic] Off the suplex, into the cover. -[siren wailing]
[Vic] Breaking up the count as we get our final participant.
[Indi Hartwell's theme music]
[Alicia] Indi Hartwell!
[Vic] Someone else you're close to.
And for Hartwell, an extra chip on her shoulder.
[Booker] Indi's coming off a big win just last week in that qualifier.
That wild card qualifier over Henley and Choo.
She's got to be feeling good about herself, Vic.
[Vic] Does she have the momentum in the final minutes of this match up
after earning that final spot on Tuesday?
[Booker] No, I wouldn't say that.
Jade, Stark, Perez, James,
that right there is a ticket for all tickets, man.
[Vic] Perez able to take Hartwell down. Got a near fall.
Look, for Perez, as much as I just said a second ago,
she's been in this match up 16 minutes.
[Booker] Like I said, right now, Roxanne Perez is working on something.
Man, she's working on history. Right now, if she can just…
What I always did in my career is weather the storm.
[Vic] Off the big boot. Is she gonna weather this storm?
Into the cover, off the boot!
-[Vic] Hartwell makes an immediate impact. -[Alicia] Indi Hartwell has scored a fall!
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] And take a look at the scoreboard.
[Vic] Everyone with a fall or a decision having a point except for two.
Kiana and Perez. And Perez is headed to the penalty box.
[Booker] The storm might be too thick for Roxanne Perez tonight.
[Vic] But Stark now going up, going over. High-impact offense.
Referee, great position.
Into the cover and a near fall again.
And look, Stark said she is hunting four others tonight.
Finally admitted that timing is everything in this business.
But is she running out of time?
[Booker] Whoa, man.
I got caught up in the action there. Give me that question one more time.
-[Booker] I'm sorry. -[Vic] It's all about Zoey Stark.
[Vic] And will she run out of time? Book, look, every second is precious.
At 25 minutes, this match is over.
[Booker] Time is the one thing that everybody in this match up
is going to have to worry about.
That's why I said you've got to be on point.
You've got to be on top of your game and understand exactly why
you are in this match.
And that is to win as many times as you possibly can.
[Booker mumbling]
[Vic] Is Stark getting a second fall? And a kick out.
As Perez has under 30 seconds left in the penalty box.
We're approaching over 17 minutes in this match up.
But back to the outside.
It's James. It's Stark. Two and three in this match up.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh, no. Wow!
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker] Wow, did you see that?
[Vic] Yeah, but James has to get a fall.
There's a count on the outside, like you brought up earlier.
[Booker] But you can do something more…
You can create a little bit more damage.
You might be able to take Zoey Stark out of the game,
which may be that X factor.
[Vic] And look, James is realizing it.
Here comes Perez because the clock hit zero.
Perez cutting off James. Ooh! Nasty spill for James.
Hartwell's just starting to move.
Perez saw the clock. Perez doesn't have a fall.
-[Booker] Vic, this is the first match. -[crowd chanting] Roxy!
[Booker laughing]
[Booker] And I almost can't talk anymore. Come on, Roxanne, you can do it.
[Vic] Perez flying through the air. High cross body!
Connects perfectly. And there's Jade. Jade out of nowhere breaking up the count.
[Booker] Jade's always drove that thorn in Roxanne's side.
She doesn't want to see Roxanne succeed in any way, shape, form, or fashion.
And I get it. Two young generation seniors.
-[Booker] Oh, man! -[Vic] Stark might have knocked out Perez.
[Vic] And Stark now could be looking for her second fall on Perez
if she can connect.
Perez goes up, goes over, goes around. Shoulders down! Cover!
-[Booker] Beautiful! -[Vic] Hartwell couldn't break the count!
-[crowd cheers] -[Alicia] Roxanne Perez has scored a fall!
[Vic] Stark's frustrated because she goes to the penalty box
and she just got pinned.
And now we're tied to four superstars with one fall apiece.
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] And James, you got to imagine for James,
her back's against the wall, she sees the clock.
She's got six minutes to pick up a fall. Into the cover and a kick out.
[Booker] The thing I've noticed, Kiana James,
she doesn't have a fall or anything, but she's looking fresh.
She still looks like she prepared for this match up.
And Vic, preparation is the only luck in a match up like this.
[Vic] Stark's frustrated, fuming.
She still has a minute, a minute of time, in that penalty box.
[crowd cheering] NXT!
[Booker] This has turned up the decibel level.
-[Vic] It's going up, Book. -[Booker] The universe is taking over.
[Vic] Action's spilling in front of us with Jade and Hartwell.
Back in the ring, it's James and Perez.
You see the clock 35 seconds for Stark.
But the other clock is 19: 45 because when that hits 25,
this match will be over.
Whoever has the most decisions is the winner.
And Hartwell pulling out all the stops.
She's confident because she has something to prove.
She wants to be the Iron Survivor.
[Booker] Indi Hartwell, about a month ago,
the switch was flipped.
And she has turned into something special as of late right now.
I love it.
-[crowd] Four, three, two, one! -[indistinct shouting]
[Vic] Every second is important. And Stark knows that.
Because all these women, they're feeling the pressure.
Less than five minutes in this match up.
James doesn't have a decision.
[Booker] Wow!
Right now, Kiana James, like I said, she seems like she's in better shape.
She seems like she's fresh. But that doesn't matter in this match up.
[Vic] The winner becomes the number one contender
for the NXT Women's Championship.
A lot must be going through the mind of Mandy Rose watching this.
[Booker] Let me tell you something. Mandy Rose is confident.
Mandy Rose knows her ability.
I don't think Mandy is in the bank thinking about things.
She's probably sipping some champagne, perhaps some caviar dreams, or something.
-[Booker] But this… Oh, no! -[Vic] Stark on a roll.
[Vic] But you start to see the fatigue starting to set in.
Stark has been in since the beginning.
Over 21 minutes
as James wisely rolls to the outside, and where is Stark getting this from?
-[Vic] Perez! -[Booker] We're so close.
[Booker] Who's going to pull it off?
[Vic] Four superstars have one, Book.
Just over 21 minutes.
Clock is ticking.
Perez is flying, wiping out Hartwell!
[Booker] Wow!
That's what Roxanne is going to have to do in a situation like this, Vic.
Throw all caution to the wind.
[Vic] Perez said it is time to make her dream a reality.
For the clock is ticking.
As Jade wipes out the field, except for Zoey Stark.
[Booker] Let me tell you something. Cora Jade is right there in the mix.
She's not going to wait. She's going to take it.
Tonight, she's looking for the big one. That big ticket, that big enchilada, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Huge risk by Stark. And will it pay off!
Because, Book, we're coming up to 22 minutes.
22 minutes. There's less than three minutes left.
[crowd cheering] NXT!
[Vic] Four superstars with one fall.
James has zero.
And Stark the only woman standing at this juncture.
[Booker] Vic, you talk about what's the strategy in a match like this?
You talk about the plan.
There is no plan at this situation, at this juncture of the match up.
[Vic] If Stark gets another fall here, her strategy will become survival.
Oh, able to roll through, nice, able to counter.
There's Hartwell!
[Booker] Hartwell with that big shot, that banger.
[Vic] 401 (k) connects.
There's Perez. Backstabber!
Perez is standing, not for long. Oh, there's Jade.
-[Booker] Mean girl. -[Vic] Yes. No doubt.
[Booker] Right now, this match up here, it's not going to stop tonight.
[Vic] Perez trying to fight free.
How great would it be for her to take out her former best friend
with a little bit of Pop Rocks!
-[Vic] Got it! Got all of it! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Vic] Perez is now in the lead.
-[Vic] Perez has two falls. -[Alicia] Roxanne Perez has scored a fall!
[Vic] More importantly, there's less than two minutes.
And James is in the penalty box for 90 seconds.
[Booker] Perez might want to keep away.
[Vic] And James is down two falls.
[Booker] All you got to do right now
is play keep away and you will make history, young lady.
You will do something nobody has done before.
[Vic] There's Hartwell.
Every second is ticking away.
Book, just over a minute left. She saw there's a minute left.
90 seconds left in the match up. And Perez isn't moving.
Perez has the advantage.
There's the cover.
And James wisely able to push Hartwell into the cover.
Now, Kiana into the cover. Hook of the leg.
You got two falls, Book.
-[Vic] Another cover. -[Booker] 45 seconds!
[Vic] And for Perez, does she continue the offense?
-[Vic] Or is she trying to play defense? -[Booker] Perez needs to play keep away.
[Booker] Stay out of harm's way.
Because anything can happen in the last seconds, as you know.
[Vic] Perez wiping out Hartwell.
Less than 60 seconds. 30 seconds for…
Jade! Super kick rocks James.
-[Booker] Oh, come on. -[Vic] Zoey needs a fall.
-[Vic] Zoey needs one fall. -[Booker] Time's running out, Vic.
[Vic] I'm looking around, looking across.
Jade is screaming because she has ten seconds.
She has nine seconds. 30 seconds left in the match.
-[Booker] Time is running out, Vic. -[crowd] Six, five, four, three, two, one!
[Vic] James… Splash fly!
That could do it.
But Jade could drop one off of Jade.
She's out of the penalty box.
And Jade's realizing it. There's less than 15 seconds.
-[Vic] Cover and kick out! -[crowd] Ooh!
-[Vic] Book, look at the time. -[Booker] Man, I'm biting my nails.
[Vic] Ten seconds. It's down to nine, eight.
-[Vic] It's counting down! -[crowd] Five, four, three…
-[Vic] DDT!
Book, there's not enough time.
-[bell ringing] -[Booker] Yes!
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and the Women's Iron Survivor…
Roxanne Perez!
[Vic] Damn, Book! How good must that feel for Perez?
[Booker sobbing] Christmas just came early, man.
[Vic] Are you crying?
Book, are you crying?
I know that's one of your girls.
But she did it in front of you and in front of the NXT universe.
[crowd chanting] Roxy!
[Booker] Oh, yes!
[Vic] Take a look at the field.
What a match. What an innovative match.
[Booker] Oh, Vic.
Vic, Christmas just came early.
Oh, reality of wrestling's finest
just pulled off the greatest triumph.
-[Booker] The Iron Survivor's Challenge. -[Vic] Well, let's go back to the action.
[Vic] As for Perez, this was maybe the point in the match up
she started to build some confidence within herself.
Able to pick up a fall because it was back and forth.
And Perez wiped out Hartwell with a huge dive.
She was willing to risk it all here tonight.
But so was Zoey Stark.
Because Stark's back was against the wall as well.
She took a huge risk with a huge reward,
which allowed her to get back into this match up.
But Hartwell, James… All these women brought their A game.
But here it was… Bam!
The backstabber from Perez would allow Jade to enter the match up.
Jade would get a little overconfident.
Bam! Right to the midsection.
And then Pop Rock's a thing of beauty bringing tears to Booker T's eyes.
Perez would hit Pop Rocks,
secure the second
in what would be the winning fall to make Perez
not only the number one contender to Mandy Rose,
but the Women's Iron Survivor.
[Booker laughing] You've got to be kidding me.
This is a great moment.
[Roxanne Perez's theme music]
What an incredible Women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
The men have a lot to live up to.
But with me now, Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley.
Ladies, we all thought that we were going to see
the Creed Brothers versus Indus Sher tonight.
But unfortunately, that won't be happening due to injury.
Yes, it's unfortunate that Julius is not medically cleared.
And I know everyone wants to see this match.
But I'm just looking out for him and Brutus.
And they would run through a wall and say that they're fine.
Because that's the kind of athletes that they are.
And I know…
I know I'm not their favorite person right now.
But I just want them to be 100% when they fight Indus Sher.
But in the meantime,
it just gives me and Tatum more time to bond as a team.
McKenzie, Ivy's got a tough outer shell.
But once you break through it and prove yourself to her,
her heart's as big as her arms are.
Ivy…
Sorry to interrupt.
We know you've had a rough few days.
But we wanted to say that you did the right thing.
We get it. You've got to look out for the ones you care about.
I appreciate you saying that.
But please don't mistake my kindness for weakness.
Tatum and I have had a few stops and starts.
But we're here.
Yeah, we'll be seeing y'all real soon, champs.
Hey, if you want it, you know where to find us.
We don't run from any team, especially one we're growing to respect.
We'll see you soon.
Okay.
♪ Take me away… ♪
[Vic] There we see the NXT champion, Bron Breakker, arriving earlier today.
Not at the lake fishing.
He is ready to defend his NXT championship against Apollo Crews.
And will Crews's vision come true?
He returned to NXT for this moment, for this match up,
for the opportunity to call himself NXT champion.
That match up still to come later tonight, but coming up in just a matter of moments,
these two have had bad blood boiling between them.
Fyre-Dawn go one on one here tonight at NXT Deadline.
[suspenseful music]
I come from a long line of warrior women who roamed Scotland.
I have to ignite the spirits of my ancestors
that have been dormant for far too long.
Now I'm the fire keeper.
Mandy, the fear you're experiencing is real.
And tonight, anything goes.
As I stand over you,
the last woman standing
and new NXT Women's Champion.
[Isla laughing maniacally]
[male announcer] Isla Dawn!
[Isla] Alba, the light of your fire
was met by the darkness no one saw.
The ethereal being materializing
before their very eyes.
[Isla giggling]
-[crowd gasping] -[Isla laughing maniacally]
[Alba] Isla Dawn.
The Unholy Enchantress.
Your debut altered the course of history.
Whatever spirits told you that it was a good idea to target me
must really have it out for you.
[epic music]
[announcer] Fyre has risen!
[Alba] Your actions have ignited a fury that you cannot contain.
When the smoke starts to surround you,
remember…
Where there's smoke,
there's "Fyre."
[Isla laughing maniacally]
Alba, we're going to have so much fun together.
[Isla laughing]
[Isla Dawn's theme music building up]
-[Isla Dawn's theme music intensifying] -[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first…
Isla Dawn!
[Vic] Book, here's a superstar
who has promised a reckoning here in NXT.
[Booker] Vic, I don't know what that means.
But I'm going to sit here and watch,
wait with highly anticipation, and see how this thing goes.
I don't know about this Isla Dawn, man. She's different.
[Vic] Well, I wonder if Isla Dawn will regret what she did as…
Actually, the official in this match up, according to my notes here,
is Felix Fernandez,
who was the same official that was sprayed by Isla Dawn
that poison mist on Tuesday.
-[Vic] I'd be a little… -[Alba Fyre's music theme]
[Vic] … a little cautious, being around her once again.
[Booker] If I was him,
I would've requested not to be in this match, Vic.
-[Booker] That's what I would've done. -[Vic laughing]
[Alicia] And her opponent…
Alba Fyre!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering] Woo!
[Vic] But the prize tonight for Fyre would be to take down Dawn.
Deep down, Book,
do you believe Alba's "Fyre" has been consumed by the darkness
that is the Unholy Enchantress?
[Booker] Yeah, of course. I mean, after what happened at Halloween Havoc
being so close to burning down Mandy Rose's dream,
yes, of course she's consumed, of course she's a little hot.
-[official] Ring the bell! -[bell ringing]
[Vic] Oh, right off rip here.
Here comes Fyre. We talked about Fyre and Dawn.
Fyre's wasting no time looking to punish Dawn for her actions.
A feat that might be easier said than done.
But Fyre is in a whole different mindset.
And we haven't seen Fyre like this here in NXT.
[Booker] I said, when I first laid eyes on Alba Fyre,
I said that she was different.
She's a little radical.
Like this right here.
She's about getting the job done.
And Vic, I said the ones that come across the pot,
they want it just a little bit more.
[Vic] Well, Fyre's certainly showing that. And what a counter by Dawn!
We always talk about Dawn and the kickboxing background
that she does possess.
She was very impressive this past Tuesday on NXT.
Can she bring it here tonight at Deadline?
And what a super kick!
[Booker] My mama said you big enough to pass a licking,
you big enough to take one.
Oh my God, these women are going at it tonight.
[Vic] Fyre now looking into the cover.
Will it be enough? And…
Dawn getting that shoulder up. But nice transition.
-[Vic] Look at that submission! -[Booker] Beautiful transition.
[Vic] And Dawn now flailing away, trying to find her way free.
Just trying to bend back the fingers of Fyre.
That is not a tap, by the way.
The referee using discretion in great position.
Dawn rolling over…
Shifting and another kick out and forcing Fyre to relinquish the hold.
But Fyre right back in, shoulders down one more time.
Another near fall.
[Booker] I thought Isla Dawn was gonna take the shot
and just fight her way out.
[Vic] I don't know if Fyre's looking for a backslide.
Or maybe the gory bomb. Nonetheless… Wow!
Innovative offense from Dawn, who is possessed by the spirits.
Her words, not mine.
The same spirits that guided her to Alba Fyre.
[Booker] I don't know what kind of spirit she's possessed by.
But she's got a lot of strength. I don't know where it comes from.
But right now, she's in total control of this match up.
[crowd] Let's go, Alba!
[Vic] Those spirits that talk to her, Fyre needs to listen to them as well.
And off the back breaker, hooking the inside leg,
hooking both legs now.
And Fyre able to fight free.
But you can see the pain etched on the face of Alba Fyre.
[Booker] I'll tell you something. Isla Dawn is very accomplished.
I'm sitting here checking around me.
-[Booker] Everything's telling me-- -[Vic] Oh, c'mon!
[Booker] That back breaker, that little shot,
that right there is just to make you feel pain, Vic.
That's what that's all about.
[Vic] Fyre exposing the middle turnbuckle. I don't believe our official has seen it.
He was checking on Fyre.
[Booker] Isla Dawn, I mean, getting a victory is one thing.
But making Alba Fyre feel the pain of this situation
is what it's all about for her.
[Vic] Fyre able to counter into a pin. And another kick out.
Yeah, I'm looking at what you're saying. And I'm hearing you.
And Dawn now really is bringing it.
Into the cover one more time. And another kick out.
[Booker] I'll tell you something.
If we were judging this match's own points,
Isla Dawn would be up five to zero.
[Vic] Dawn keeps talking about just having fun with Alba Fyre.
And that is what Dawn is doing in this moment.
But Book, what exactly do you think?
Honestly, what do you think Dawn is talking about
when she says she wants to have "fun" with Alba Fyre?
[Booker] That means you want to go out and take your opponent to that place.
Make that opponent feel something that they've never been before.
Make them walk on hot coals. You know what I mean?
Make them walk on broken glass. That's what it's all about, Vic.
[Vic] You were reading her books, haven't you?
A little bit demented even from you.
As Fyre is in control.
Fyre is right now trying to get back into control.
Dawn has really had a game plan for Alba Fyre.
We talked about the innovation that is NXT deadline
trending number one in the United States and for good reason.
Oh, looking for maybe the knockout blow.
Fyre was able to get back on her feet
and now create a little bit of separation.
[Booker] Yes, that's what Alba Fyre is going to have to do.
Always talked about being able to create that bit of space to have an opening.
And right now, Isla Dawn just closed that window that quick, man.
[Vic] This is why Dawn ascended onto NXT.
It was when Alba Fyre was on the cusp of winning the NXT Women's Championship.
And Dawn looking for… Oh!
[Booker] Vic, I'm learning something tonight about Isla Dawn.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Booker] Oh, wow!
-[Vic] Near fall. -[Booker] You're kidding me!
[Vic] Take another look. Because you almost came out of your seat.
Look at the precision. Look at the accuracy.
Bam! Planting Fyre!
But now back to live action. Fyre able to turn things around again.
And I don't know if maybe Alba Fyre came a little too confident, but now…
[Booker] Coming from the heavens.
[Vic] This is the moment for Fyre.
Did you see Fyre land and grab her ribs? Did you see her take that deep breath?
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Booker] This is no position that Alba Fyre hasn't been in before.
Right now, this is what she's all about. Taking it to your limit right now.
That's what she's gonna have to do.
Because Isla Dawn, man, like I say, Vic, she's showing me something tonight.
[Vic] How'd you feel if someone destroyed your championship dreams?
That's what Dawn did to Fyre.
-[Vic] She destroyed her dreams. -[Booker] Look, Vic, I…
[Booker] I'd want to inflict punishment on that person.
And right now, Alba Fyre has a chance to do it tonight.
I had a chance to ask Alba Fyre
predictions tonight.
[Booker imitating Alba] She said "pain." Just one word, "pain."
[Vic] Why would you talk to Isla Dawn?
-[Booker] I said Alba Fyre. -[Vic] I thought it was Isla Dawn.
[Booker] I just walk by, and I say, "I just got a question."
I'm trying to pull my reporter deal. You know how it is.
[Vic] And now Fyre turning around.
Ooh, face plant! Down goes Dawn.
Fyre now focused in.
[Booker] Look at the eyes.
And that's the "Fyre" that burns inside Alba.
She wasn't allowed to deliver on her promise
to her ancestors due to Dawn.
Dawn able to take Fyre off her feet.
And look at Fyre so quick going right around, up.
And bam! Tornado DDT!
With a little extra oomph.
And Fyre now, will this be enough? And Dawn…
[Booker] I don't know if you see it, Vic, but to me, it looks like Isla Dawn
is running out of gas just a little bit here.
[Vic] Take one more look. And bam!
We're talking about pinpoint precision earlier for Isla Dawn.
Alba Fyre got all that DDT.
[Booker] Those big shots right there, that big DDT,
it takes a whole lot out of you, Vic.
It takes more than just a little bit.
It takes a lot.
[Vic] Fyre is looking for that gory bomb.
-[Vic] Gets caught by Dawn. -[Booker] Beautiful suplex.
[Vic] If you wanna make a statement, how about coming to Deadline and winning?
But not yet.
[Booker] Did you see the precision timing on that suplex right there? My God!
Man, Isla Dawn may be the special one.
[Vic] We talked about Roxanne Perez.
We talked about the five women that kicked us off here tonight.
This is a huge match also for Isla Dawn. The final premium live event of the year.
And she's stepping up against one of the best here in NXT.
But she just took a nasty landing.
And speaking of landing… Oh!
[Booker] First time I have the pleasure of watching Isla Dawn at the table.
And I'll tell you,
she's as good as any lady in that locker room
to get a victory on any given Sunday with this talent, man.
[Vic] Any given Tuesday, as NXT is on Tuesdays.
-[Booker] Well, tonight-- -[Vic] I hear you. It's Saturday…
[Vic] Looking for the gory bomb!
Oh, connected! Connected with the gory bomb.
But, Book, you know Alba Fyre wants to get this win in the ring.
She doesn't want a count out.
[Booker] But Alba wants this in the worse way.
Just because, like I say, you want to be redeemed.
Especially after a blatant attack.
-[Vic] And looking for it now! Wow! -[Booker] You want to do something.
[Vic] And look at Fyre in this moment.
She's putting everyone away with a gory bomb.
She was the forever champion
because of a gory bomb.
What's going through her mind?
And Dawn smiling?
What the hell is this?
[Booker] You talk about that supernatural power.
That maybe just a little bit of what we're seeing right now, Vic.
[Vic] A little bit of mind games because Fyre going to a different place.
Boom! Planting one more time.
[Booker] What a shot, Vic.
[Vic] And Dawn doing the best she could.
Referee able to wiggle free because there's no one saving Isla Dawn.
-[Booker] No time-outs. -[Vic] Looking for that swanton bomb.
-[Booker] No time-outs. -[Vic] Boom! Connects perfectly!
-[Vic] And Fyre to extinguish Isla Dawn… -[Booker] Here we go!
-[Vic] What the hell is the referee… -[crowd chattering]
-[Vic] What? And Dawn from behind. -[Booker] Don't ask me.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] We got to continue to focus. This match continuing. Another super kick!
[Booker] Vic, we need to get some help out here for this referee.
We need to get some help. We need an ambulance.
What the hell are you talking? What's going on here?
[Vic] I think some officials are coming. We got to continue this damn match.
[Booker] We gotta get some help. We got a man out here. He could be dying.
Vic, come on, man.
[Vic] The referees didn't see that. They were taking care of Fernández.
[Booker] That's what they should be doing.
[Vic] Face first went Fyre.
And now Dawn possessed by the spirits.
[Booker] What the hell is going on?
[Vic] Into the cover.
-[Vic] Extinguishing the flame tonight. -[bell ringing]
[Isla Dawn's music]
[Alicia] Here is your winner… Isla Dawn!
[Vic] Book, I understand what your point was.
-[Vic] But the match-- -[Booker] Did you see the referee?
[Booker] He had black stuff coming out his mouth and his damn nose.
He needed medical attention.
Vic, if you get to the point where black stuff
is coming of your nose and your mouth,
I would think your mother would want me to help you.
-[Vic] Well, let's-- -[Booker] Vic, for god's sake.
[Vic] Let's get back to some of the… Take a look here.
This is what we talked about. Isla Dawn grabbed the official.
That allowed Alba Fyre to fly. Bam! Connects.
And you can see in the background, Book, what you were talking about.
Something's going on with the official in this match at this very moment.
Could not count.
Another official would make his way out.
In the meantime, bam, a super kick would rock Dawn.
-[Booker] It's hard for me to focus. -[Vic] There is no referee though.
[Vic] I understand. Finally officials'd come down.
But they would not see
the use of the exposed turnbuckle from earlier in the match up by Isla Dawn,
who, again, possessed by whatever spirits are talking to her,
brought her to the dance, got her to the finish line here tonight.
And Isla Dawn
picks up
a huge victory here in NXT
at NXT Deadline.
[Isla Dawn's music]
[Vic] The final moments of preparation for Apollo Crews,
who returned this summer with one goal in mind.
Become the NXT champion.
He has his opportunity tonight here at Deadline.
♪ From the weight That grips me like a puppeteer ♪
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
We are moments away from you challenging for the NXT Tag Team Championships.
-Guys, can you believe it? -Actually, it's kind of surreal.
And people have been asking us,
"Why are you in NXT? Why are you going to fight Pretty Deadly?"
We are going to fight them
because we are constantly looking for the best competition.
And they are currently champions.
And they're the only thing that stands between us
and becoming "triple crown Tag Team champions."
Look, McKenzie, don't let the long-sleeved crop tops fool you.
These guys are really good.
It's not easy to come from halfway across the world,
all the way across the pond and become champion.
That's not easy.
You got to have a big aspirational mindset.
But unfortunately for them, so do we.
And that is, like Woods said, to become triple crowners, baby!
So tonight, it's Pretty Deadly going up against your boys.
-The New Day! -[crowd] The New Day!
And trust us when we say tonight we will be leaving this arena your new…
-WWE NX-- -[crowd] WWE NX--
-Whoa, you're not going to do with us? -Sure, let's do it.
Of course, let's do it.
-Okay, ready? -Ready. I'm ready.
Your new…
-WWE NXT -[crowd] WWE NXT
-World Tag Team champions! -[crowd] World Tag Team champions!
Now give me my theme music!
[The New Day's theme music]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Book, how can you not be excited for this duo?
-[Vic] Look at the people! -[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[The New Day's theme music]
-♪ Stop looking for who you gotta be… ♪ -[Woods mumbling]
♪ Give the world a fresh coat of paint ♪
♪ Looking in the mirror Is who you gotta change ♪
♪ Get us back on the right road On the right track, on the right flow ♪
-[Vic] It's the final premium live event of the year.
And we got The New Day with us.
Looking for some new hardware
that they've never worn before.
[Booker] I'm disgusted.
-[Vic] Why? -[Booker] I'm disgusted at this, man.
-[Vic] Because of my dancing? -[Booker] No, I mean these guys.
[Booker] I mean Kofi Kingston.
[Vic laughing] Why would you be disgusted?
They're The New Day.
[crowd cheering]
-[Pretty Deadly's theme music] -[crowd booing]
[Vic] Well, look, when it comes to the champs,
they should've been a little bit more careful
with what they wished for for the holiday season.
[Booker] Come on, man. You know what they were talking about.
They were talking about tag teams right here in NXT.
Not Raw, not Smack Down, not around the world, right here in NXT.
And these guys, The New Day, they show up. Come on, Vic.
[Vic] So you think Pretty Deadly is scared of The New Day?
-[Booker] Come on. I'm disappointed. -[Vic] Wait, what?
[Booker] You know there's something smelly about this.
You know something is not right about this.
-[Booker] You know that. You know it. -[Vic] I think it's crazy.
-[Booker] Go on, admit it. -[Vic] I'm not going to admit it.
[Vic] I think it's great.
The New Day here in NXT.
And you heard him say they're looking for the best competition.
[Booker] Camera hogs.
[Booker] They're looking to add to their own legacy
with a little bit more gold.
And I get it, Vic. But this is all wrong.
These guys are former 11-time tag team champions.
Hell, Kofi Kingston was the WWE champion.
And they want to come down here? They want to show up and steal TV time?
Come on, man.
-[Booker] Come on. -[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Introducing first the challengers…
the team of Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston…
-[Alicia] The New Day! -[crowd] The New Day!
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] And their opponents, they are the NXT Tag Team champions…
Kit Wilson and Elton Prince…
Pretty Deadly!
[crowd booing]
[Vic] Before we get into this NXT Tag Team title match,
underway we see Kofi, we see Woods.
-[Vic] But when you think about… -[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[Vic] When you think about The New Day, you got to give a shout-out to Big E.
[Booker] Yes, I'm not giving a shout-out to Big E at all.
-[Vic] What's wrong with you tonight? -[bell ringing]
[Booker] I look at this situation.
I look at this situation.
And The New Day is highly,
as far as the betting odds, is highly favorite
to win this match tonight.
As well as they should be.
But Kit Wilson, Elton Prince, those two guys,
they have a chance to do something, knock this New Day back down to earth.
Look at this. I hate this.
I hate all this dancing.
All this playing around.
[Vic] Oh, Woods from behind. Shoulders down.
And… Ooh!
[Booker] See that? That's what I'm talking about.
This is not what we need here in NXT.
Guys playing around. They're goofing off.
You don't see Pretty Deadly doing that.
[Vic] They just did a little Christmas story.
[Booker] You don't see them doing that.
These guys come to work
with their hard hats on every week.
They come to take care of business every week.
Not like The New Day.
[crowd chanting] We want side plates!
[Vic] Those NXT Tag Team titles might get new side plates
if The New Day is successful here tonight.
And Woods starting things off with Wilson.
Ooh!
You got to remember The New Day just competed 24 hours ago on Smack Down.
Then they took part in…
Woo!
…Kurt Angle's birthday in Pittsburgh.
[Booker] You know why?
They wanted to make sure they were sharp for this match.
Because they're worried a little bit about Pretty Deadly.
Because this team right here, like I said, I said a long time ago,
they pass the airport test.
These guys are special, Vic.
[Vic] Sam Roberts on the NXT Deadline Kickoff Show
picked Pretty Deadly as well.
-[Vic] And now Woods up and over. -[Booker] Look at the footwork.
[Vic] Getting the pace quickened in this match up.
Goes up and landed on his feet. Swing and a miss.
Oh! Went low, connected.
Senton right to the ribs! And now into the cover goes Woods.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Vic] Another kick out.
[Booker] I see something right here from Kit Wilson.
-[Booker] Look like he's playing possum. -[Vic] Are we watching the same match?
[Booker] I could be wrong, though. Looks like he's is playing the old possum.
[Vic] You mentioned about The New Day, 11-time tag team champions.
At one point, they held the Raw Tag Team titles for 483 days.
Are they winning the NXT Tag Team titles? And another kick out.
[Booker] You're making my point for me. There's no doubt.
The New Day is going to be Hall of Famers.
There's no doubt. That's why they should not be here, Vic.
That's my point. Thank you very much.
You just made my point. Thank you.
[Vic] The net wasn't tagged, by the way.
Oh, the official didn't see Wilson cutting corners.
[Booker] That's that man, Kit Wilson.
This is Pretty Deadly.
-[Booker] Let's put the pressure on, guys. -[Vic] Let's call it what it was.
[Vic] The Christmas story was to taunt the Tag Team Division.
You don't call that goofing around?
[Booker] I don't. That's going out there and taking care of business.
-[Booker] That's making an example. -[Vic] Prince into the cover.
[Booker] Everybody in the locker room, you know this.
We are the Tag Team champions. If you want some, you can get some.
But you better be big enough to take some.
That's what it's all about, Vic.
[Vic] Prince and Wilson obviously knew
that The New Day competed last night.
Not at a hundred-percent here tonight.
[Booker] What? Not at a hundred-percent?
Just because they competed 24 hours ago--
[Vic] Could you do that? You couldn't do that, Book.
[Booker] That's exactly what I'm saying. You trying to make excuses.
-[Vic shushing] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic laughing]
-[Booker] Nobody want to see that. -[Vic] Why aren't you laughing, Book?
[indistinct shouting]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] So what are you gonna say now? Defend him?
[Booker] Trying to show him how to do it. It's called twerking.
[crowd chanting] Twerk off!
[indistinct shouting]
[crowd chanting] Twerk off!
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] See, Kofi is just not giving him enough action.
-[Booker] You know what I mean? -[Vic] He was doing a lot of action.
[Vic] And now Prince… Swing and a miss! And gets dropped by Kingston.
You mentioned the former WWE champion. Into the cover and another kick out.
The New Day turning this thing around in this moment.
We talk about the former WWE champion, making the tag right now to someone
who much like yourself a former king of the ring.
Boom! King Woods! Whoa, they're still going at it.
[Booker] Yes, we saw what happened to that little run.
[Vic] Cover by Woods. Is this enough to secure the gold?
And a near fall.
-[Vic] You can't even argue, though. -[Booker] It's not easy being a king.
[Vic] That's one nice thing you said.
Bam! Look at the innovative offense.
You got to admit The New Day
is one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history.
-[Booker] Elton Prince, Kit Wilson-- -[Vic] You don't want to admit anything.
-[Vic] Take a look at it, Book. -[Booker] One of the greatest team in WWE.
[Vic] Who?
[Booker] These guys, Elton Prince, Kit Wilson, Pretty Deadly.
These guys are the future of this business, man.
[Vic] Take another look.
-[Vic] Bam! Perfectly timed by Woods. -[crowd cheering]
[Booker] I give Woods a lot of credit. I mean, perfect timing.
But I'm just wondering.
Does Woods have the stamina, the intestinal fortitude,
to last the test of time
with this young Pretty Deadly tag team?
[Vic] Looking pretty good now. New Day is rolling.
Into the cover, titles on the line! And another kick out by Wilson.
New Day rocking. They are rolling right now.
[Booker] They're rocking right now.
But like I say, this is about the test. This is about weathering the storm.
Kit Wilson, Elton Prince, these guys are young.
These guys could go all night long.
There will not be any lactic acid buildup with these young men.
[Vic] Hey.
[crowd] Ooh!
-[Vic] Kofi… -[Booker] Oh, that's tag teamwork.
[crowd booing]
[crowd cheering]
-[Vic] Yeah, he got worked all right. -[Booker] Take one for the team.
-[Booker] Oh my God! -[Vic] Oh, just took off!
-[Booker] Oh my God! -[Vic] Let's go, Kof!
[crowd chanting] NXT!
-[indistinct shouting] -[Booker] That's what I said.
[Booker] They're gonna beat you if you get in my face again.
That's what I'm talking about. Come on, Kit! Come on, Prince!
-[Booker] Let's get back in the game. -[Vic] Ooh!
[Vic] Prince interjecting himself. And that opens the door now for Wilson.
-[crowd] New Day rocks! -[Vic] Tag was made and--
[Booker] Come on, guys.
[Vic] Kofi's in the wrong part of town at this point.
[Booker] Beautiful work right here.
That discretion right there. Just beautiful tag teamwork right there.
-[Elton] Yeah! -[Booker] Oh!
[Booker] That is… Wow!
[crowd booing]
[crowd shouting]
[Vic] You talk about changing the complexion of a match.
[Booker] Didn't I tell you? This is all about the time game.
This is about taking Kofi Kingston in the deep waters.
It's about drawing Kofi in.
Drawing him in and drowning that young man.
That's what it's about, Vic.
[Vic] There's no doubt Pretty Deadly is a cunning duo.
We've seen it in the past.
And of course they agree with you that New Day, as you called them,
I didn't call them this, you called them camera hogs.
That's what you called them.
[Booker] Check this out. Oh, man.
[Vic] Kofi has been taken out. He has been isolated.
And now Pretty Deadly going to work.
[Booker] Kofi is no king or anything. But he took it right on the dome.
[Vic] I wanna go back to something you said about Prince and Wilson.
If they win tonight, do you consider them the greatest NXT tag team ever?
[Booker] They already are.
I mean, look at these guys. Look at them. They're pretty. They're deadly.
They got everything in the tool bag that you can pull out, man.
These guys, man, they should be in Vegas or something.
Because right now, man, these guys are something special.
[Vic] No one there for Wilson that time. And Kingston trying to crawl over.
Still, though, such a long way away
from Xavier Woods.
[Booker] Here we go. It's what I'm talking about.
Pretty Deadly is all about isolating
that opponent.
Pretty Deadly didn't slip on a banana peel and become the NXT Tag Team champions.
[Vic] Oh, that's what New Day is trying to do tonight.
Become the NXT Tag Team champions.
So close. And Wilson closing the door. But look at Kofi.
Kingston now trying to fight. Has to go a long way to make the tag.
-[Booker] Beautiful tag teamwork. -[Vic] So close, the ring cut in half.
[Booker] Kit Wilson right now is on top of his game.
-[Booker] Oh, wait a minute… Oh! -[Vic] Nice DDT.
[Vic] And this is that moment
for Kofi Kingston so desperately needing to make it to his corner.
Woods is ready.
[Booker] Wilson, you've got to move.
You've got to do it now, son.
-[crowd chanting] Kofi! -[Elton] C'mon!
[Vic] And NXT universe willing on Kingston.
Wilson, though, crawling too.
[Booker] Kofi's still in a real bad way. I don't think he can--
[Vic] Wilson's there.
-[Booker] Oh, no. -[Vic] But in comes Woods.
Xavier's been on the outside.
He's looking to go up up and down down
on Pretty Deadly for the last few moments.
[Booker] He's fresh. He's fresh right now.
Let's see exactly how long he can last, how long he can keep this pace.
Right now, that's what it's all about. Trying to stay motivated.
And right now, it looks like Xavier's very motivated.
[Vic] He certainly is. And now hitting anything that moves.
[Booker] Beautiful work. Take care of your partner.
[Vic] Woods up.
Over, right back in.
Dropkick. Picture-perfect.
Rocks Wilson to the outside. But Prince is legal.
Prince from behind.
Couldn't take Woods over. And Woods now baiting in Prince.
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] What's on Woods's mind?
[Booker] I do not know. But I don't like it.
[Vic] Oh, a little two-for-one special.
[Booker] He left a skid mark on that boy.
[Vic] And Woods right now… Oh! Catching Prince upside.
And now coming in looking for another DDT for a little extra.
Is this enough for New Day?
-[Vic] Do we have new champs? -[crowd] One, two…
-[Vic] And no… -[crowd] No!
[crowd clapping]
[Vic] Oh, so close. But here back to some of the action.
Woods right now a one-man wrecking crew.
And then bam! The exclamation point that was that DDT.
And how close.
-[Vic] Oh, so close. -[Booker] All instinct by The Prince.
[Booker] All instinct.
But he did it.
He weathered that storm.
Here we go.
[Vic] Prince able to counter.
Now trying to fight back.
[Vic] Oh, right to the throat of Woods.
[Booker] I like it.
[Vic] And following it up
with a decleating clothesline
to retain the cover.
And not tonight as Woods continuing
to fight the good fight.
And what must be going through the mind of Pretty Deadly?
You see Wilson trying to keep himself calm, cool, and composed.
[Booker] You know what? You said it right there.
That The Prince, he's very, very composed
in this situation.
A situation he's never been in before
with a topflight tag team
like The New Day right here.
This is a confrontation, Vic.
[Vic] No doubt, a tough test.
Maybe the toughest test
for Pretty Deadly
since arriving over the pond,
as you put it,
becoming NXT Tag Team champions in a slug fest
with perhaps one of the greatest tag teams to ever do it in the WWE.
[Booker] If Pretty Deadly can knock off The New Day,
what would that do for their stock?
I mean, come on, man.
I'm talking about champagne wishes.
I'm talking about caviar dreams forever, more for these guys.
[Vic] Robin Leach ain't gonna be able to come out and help Pretty Deadly.
But take a look at the tag team tandem from Prince again.
-[Booker] That's it. -[Vic] Is this it?
[Vic] No! Woods got that inside shoulder just off the mat.
[Booker] Kit Wilson should've hooked that back leg.
He probably would've got a three count right there.
[Vic] Wait a minute… Oh!
-[Vic] Kingston back to his feet. -[Booker] Referee! What are you doing?
-[Booker] He's illegal. -[Vic] Yeah, well, so is Prince.
[Vic] I love how you like to call half the story.
Just like the Christmas story. Wait a minute.
[indistinct shouting]
[Prince screaming]
[Vic] Oh. Wow.
-[crowd chattering] -[shouting continues]
-[Vic] What the hell? And the official… -[Booker] Disqualified right there.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] NXT!
-[referee shouting] -[crowd continues chanting]
[Vic] I mean, I guess you can't blame them for trying.
-[Booker laughing] It didn't work. -[Vic] It certainly did not.
[Vic] Oh, and a tug of war now.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[crowd] C'mon!
[Vic] Oh, and behind the official. Oh, no, not like this.
Woods just got laid. Oh, and he didn't get taken out.
[Booker] What the hell is going on? You're kidding me.
[crowd cheering]
No!
[Prince screaming]
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Wilson beside himself yelling at Prince.
Tag was made.
I'm looking around. I don't see Kingston.
And we could be seeing a little bit of Spilt Milk.
-[Vic] There's Kingston. There's Kofi. -[Booker] I don't like the looks of this.
-[Booker] I don't like this. -[Vic] Trouble in Paradise!
[Vic] Woods up and over.
Prince is legal. Prince now into the cover.
Shoulders down.
Another near fall.
-[Vic] What a match. -[Booker] So close, man.
[Woods] Yeah!
[Vic] Ooh! Nasty landing for Prince.
Kofi's up. Tag was made.
Kofi's legal.
[Booker] I'm not liking the looks of this, Vic.
I don't like this at all.
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] Don't waste any time.
-[Vic] Woods… Hook of the leg. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh, hell no!
-[crowd cheering] -[Vic] Oh, hell yes!
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
the new NXT Tag Team champions…
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, The New Day!
[crowd cheering]
[The New Day's theme music playing]
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
Yes!
[Vic] Can I get a side plate check, Booker T?
-[Vic] Wow. -[Booker] What just happened?
[Vic] Well, what just happened was New Day blew the roof off this place.
What a match up this was.
This really was Pretty Deadly trying to cut some corners.
But Kofi, he ain't going to be outsmarted like that.
Like I said, it was a nice opportunity. It was a nice try. It didn't work out.
[Booker] What just happened?
[Vic laughs] You're beside yourself.
The referee, though, split decision, had to make a decision.
But this is where really things were turning around.
Bam! The cheap shot.
The official's back was turned, didn't see it.
But Woods showing you the heart of a champion.
And then, as the moments would continue to roll on,
Kofi Kingston, the veteran that he is, the former WWE Champion.
And how did he win that WWE Championship? Bam, with a little Trouble in Paradise.
Woods would get back things into the ring.
And Woods and Kingston would start to showcase
why they've been 11-time tag team champions,
why at one point they held the RAW Tag Team titles for 483 days.
And tonight, get those cameras ready.
Because it's New Day who became
Tag Team Triple Crowners here at Deadline.
And you know what? For Kofi,
that's his fifteenth tag title reign.
The most of any superstar
in WWE history.
-[Vic] Surpassing you, Booker T! -[Booker] I'm about to lose my damn mind.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[The New Day's theme music playing]
[pop music playing]
[crowd] Ten!
Nine!
Eight!
Seven!
Six!
Five!
Four!
Three!
Two!
One!
[crowd cheering]
I'll get the car. Get a couple of drinks. You know what I'm saying?
-Wait, look who it is. -Hey!
-Hey, the champs is here! -[everyone cheering]
You boys coming out with us tonight?
Usually, we would. But we're going to the gym to train.
You know I got Von this Tuesday? And I've got to take care of business.
But after that… [laughs] We out here!
[everyone cheering]
-Okay, we'll hold you to it. -Exactly. Bye-bye.
[indistinct chattering]
Saw what you did back there.
-Uh, Toxic-- -No, no, no.
Offered a title match to Mighty Mouse and her leech.
Yeah, can you believe Tatum is Diamond Mine?
-Is she, though? -Well, she doesn't have the jacket yet.
-I'm happy Ivy finally found a female-- -Do you have a point?
The point is you call yourself fighting champions.
But we beat you two two weeks ago in the Six-Woman Tag.
-You didn't beat us. -We're better than you two.
You two only want to face teams that you know you can beat.
[Ivy] Eat it!
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct shouting]
[Jacy] No! Get off me!
[shouting continues]
[Vic] There's our champion getting ready for yet another obstacle,
which will be Apollo Crews.
Can he overcome it tonight?
Right now, Alicia Taylor standing by here at NXT Deadline.
[bell ringing]
The following contest is the Men's Iron Survivor Challenge.
[crowd cheering]
There is a 25-minute time limit
with five superstars competing to become the number one contender.
[Alicia] Two superstars will start the match.
Every five minutes thereafter a new superstar will enter
until all competitors are in the ring.
Falls can be won at any time
via pinfall, submission, or disqualification.
When a superstar scores a fall, they will earn one point.
When a superstar loses a fall, that superstar is forced out of the ring
and into the penalty box for 90 seconds
before they can reenter 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 number one contender
for the NXT Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[JD McDonagh's theme music playing]
[Alicia] Introducing first…
JD McDonagh!
-[JD McDonagh's theme music continues] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Roxanne Perez earlier was named
the Women Iron Survivor Challenge.
She started from the number one spot.
Do you see the same for JD McDonagh?
[Booker] You know what I think about JD McDonagh.
The number one stunner.
This guy is extraordinary talent.
And if anybody can pull this off and make history tonight,
this man,
JD McDonagh.
[Vic] Joining our WWE Hall of Fame panel was X-Pac,
who believes McDonagh is on another level.
But so is this superstar.
[Axiom's theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Next…
Axiom!
[Vic] Let's not forget what was said by Axiom.
He wanted to be number one or number two
to maximize his time inside this match up.
Because the more time
you're in this match up,
the more opportunities that he has to get him points.
[Booker] I'll tell you something. You talking about The Construct.
-[Booker] You talking about the Matrix. -[Vic] Wow!
[Booker] You're about to see it live right here
in living color tonight at Deadline, brother.
[Vic] Yeah, as things clearing up, it's Axiom going right after JD McDonagh.
As McDonagh
tried to get a jump on Axiom.
He could be looking for that golden ratio. And he's picking the foot.
These two, no love lost between each other.
Remember, it was just a few weeks ago that McDonagh sidelined Axiom.
[Booker] Yes, you talking about someone who can cripple you
and put you on the shelf for a long time.
That's JD McDonagh. And I'm sure Axiom is thinking about it.
I'm sure it's in the back of his head.
There's no way it can't be, Vic.
[Vic] Well, Axiom wanted this opportunity.
He was hoping this is how the match up would begin.
That he would get at least five minutes to face McDonagh alone.
As both superstars watching the clock
knocking on the first 60 seconds in this match up gone by.
[Booker] Be careful, Vic. Be careful what you…
We're near Christmas time. Be careful what you wish for, man.
[Vic] Well, Axiom said, in this format, this is a match that forces innovation
and he has to stay focused and not fall back in resorting
to just wanting to inflict pain, damage to McDonagh.
And look at the payback!
Book, we talked about high risk.
[Booker] That's new right there. Axiom just took a bad spill.
High risk,
high reward.
But that right there, sometimes, it can take you clean out of the game.
But Axiom seems like he's okay, Vic.
He's okay.
-[Vic] Oh. -[crowd] Ooh!
[Vic] Axiom now taking it to just punishing.
McDonagh wanting nothing of Axiom.
This is what Axiom wanted.
He wanted to punish JD McDonagh.
Oh!
Talk about staying focused out there
near that penalty box again.
Oh! That penalty box is where you go once you are pinned,
once you're disqualified, or if you submit for 90 seconds.
As we're just over 90 seconds
into this match up.
Who will be the Men's Iron Survivor?
-[Vic] Oh! What a dropkick by McDonagh. -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Vic] And when it comes to McDonagh,
he pushed Breakker to the limit a couple of months ago.
And he knows
how to pick his spot.
-[Vic] Point proven right here. -[crowd] JD!
[Vic] Bam! Right to the chest.
[Booker] McDonagh knows every inch of that 20'x20'.
And I don't know why Axiom would be so upset.
It was a competition, man.
That's what you're supposed to do, take your opponent out.
But JD McDonagh,
he was gracious enough just to strain that knee and not break it.
[Vic] Shoulders down. And a near fall.
Again, NXT Deadline trending number one in the United States
for the innovative concept
that we've seen here tonight in the Iron Survivor Challenge matches
to determine new number one contenders.
Roxanne Perez new number one contender
for Mandy Rose's NXT Women's Championship.
Who will become the number one contender for the NXT title?
These two slugging it out.
[Booker] I think these millennials, these Gen Zers, I think they call that
-[Booker] strong style. -[Vic] Uh-oh.
[Vic] Was looking for the power bomb. Nice counter!
And nice connection right to the side of the ear.
[Vic] And a second one follows as well.
And Axiom could be going for a cover to earn a point.
[Booker] I mean, this is a bad mistake for Axiom.
Right now, he's thinking about that knee.
He's thinking about the pain that he was in.
And he wanted to put JD McDonagh through that same pain.
And see, I get it. But not tonight, man.
-[Vic] Ooh! -[Booker] Got to get a cover right here.
-[Vic] What a clothesline. It could be it. -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] Would've been a quick decision for Axiom.
And then he would've had 90 seconds getting ready for superstar number three.
What a clothesline. And Axiom is focused.
He came in with a plan. And are you in favor
of the analytical approach we've seen from Axiom since his debut?
[Booker] Analytical approach? What is…?
[Vic] He knows everything about his opponent.
He knows where to go, what move to use. He knows how to bend every joint.
He goes into the cover off the dropkick. Is it gonna be enough?
[Booker] There's no way Axiom is gonna be able
to download all that information for all of these guys.
Look, man. It's not that kind of night, Vic.
This night right here is special.
This is the Iron Survivor's Challenge.
You got to do what you got to do to get a victory, man.
[Vic] Then I'll bring it to you here. We'll go off to what JD McDonagh said.
Is the field, are the other four ready to endure 25 minutes of agony?
Because he is ready
to endure anything and everything.
[Booker] That's the name of the game. I hope they are.
Because every man in this match up knows exactly what it's all about.
[Vic] Oh my word.
Turned inside out. Going upside down.
Sit-down power bomb.
Looking for the first decision. Axiom just kicked out.
Now look at the clock on the lower left.
30 seconds.
In 30 seconds, superstar three's gonna enter.
Take a look at some of this action.
Feel this impact from Axiom. And that's what I was talking about.
And then bam! Getting turned inside out. The heavy hitters are coming out tonight.
[Booker] It reminds me of the Texas Tornado
with that clothesline, man.
-[Booker] Wow! -[crowd] Ten, nine, eight, seven…
[crowd] …six, five, four, three, two, one!
-[sirens wailing] -[Carmelo Hayes' theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ You want your shot Well, I guess you wait… ♪
[Alicia] Carmelo Hayes!
[Vic] And there's superstar three, the generational talent.
A consensus pick. Into the cover. Axiom breaking it out.
But Hayes, a consensus pick by the Hall of Fame panel,
including yourself.
He was the first name mentioned, by the way,
from The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels.
[Booker] Number one on my Fab Five
for the second time.
-[Vic] Fade away! -[Booker] That man!
[Booker] Oh, shucky ducky quack quack! We got a cover right here, my dawg.
[Vic] And breaking it up is McDonagh.
But McDonagh… Ooh!
-[Vic] He's crunched the numbers as well. -[Hayes grunts]
[Booker] Let me tell you, this kid here, Carmelo Hayes, he's poised, man.
He's poised to be one of the greatest shards
this business has ever seen if he can just play his card right.
-[Booker] Oh, wow! -[Vic] Axiom in control now.
[Vic] Both men down. Looking for a point, for a cover.
Kick out by McDonagh.
[Booker] Melo took that shot
and he landed that DDT
all at the same time right there.
-[crowd chanting] NXT! -[Vic] Taking a look at Hayes right now.
[Vic] Truth be told here,
he doesn't have the best history in multimen matches.
[Booker] Check it out. Oh, wow!
[Vic] Will that trend continue tonight? As now Axiom looking to fly again.
Wiping out the competition.
And you talked about earlier scoring this on points.
If we were scoring this right now,
Axiom would be ahead of the competition six and a half minutes in.
[Booker] This is a different type of game.
This is actually about scoring points.
Right now, Axiom needs to do exactly
what everybody thinks the world needs to know.
And that's go out there and get it by any means necessary.
Don't think about being Mr. Nice Guy tonight.
Don't think about finishing last.
That's what's going to happen if you think that way.
[Vic] What's Hayes thinking? Oh, was looking for the two-for-one.
Instead got caught with stereo super kicks.
[Vic] And now it's McDonagh.
Ura-nage right onto Axiom. Moonsault connects.
Hayes was able to get out of the way. Hayes trying to pick up the scraps.
Hoisting up McDonagh with a little bit of a twist onto Axiom.
[Vic] Hooks the inside leg for the first fall.
-[Vic] And wow! -[Booker] Wow!
-[Alicia] Carmelo Hayes has scored a fall! -[crowd] Melo!
[Vic] What a sequence.
That gives Hayes the first point
and sends Axiom to the penalty box for 90 seconds.
[Booker] That man, Carmelo Hayes, next-level superstar, man.
Like I said, he's poised. He's poised to be great.
Right now, he's in great position to walk out
the Iron Survivor's Challenge winner.
Oh my God, man.
[Vic] Now McDonagh and Hayes trading blows.
It was Hayes who noted 2022.
He was unmatched. He was untouchable. He called his shot for the new year.
And what a way to end this year than by being
in the Iron Survivor Challenge.
[Booker] Yes, but I'm gonna tell you, you're talking about a challenge.
He's in there with a challenger. And his name is JD McDonagh.
This kid, he gets you in his sights.
He's going to take you out. He's not going to hesitate.
So right now, Carmelo Hayes, he needs to be very, very crafty.
Take this situation very slow. Meticulous, man.
[Vic] Less than two minutes until the next superstar will enter.
Axiom has 30 seconds left in the penalty box.
Let's not forget, I'm sure McDonagh hasn't,
everything was peaceful Tuesday…
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Ooh!
[Vic] …until McDonagh's cheap shot.
Which started by shoving Hayes out of the way.
And Hayes now and McDonagh, they got a bit of a score to settle.
-[Vic] It was also McDonagh-- -[Booker] They have no scores.
[Booker] I mean, Carmelo Hayes knows
what this business is about.
It's all about getting the upper hand. It's all about trying to get one up.
[Vic] We got five seconds left, but it was…
-[Vic] Oh! A nasty landing. -[Booker] Oh!
[Vic] But it was Hayes who called out McDonagh and said,
"You've had your opportunity at Breakker. I haven't."
But Axiom out of the penalty box now.
Just about 60 seconds till the next superstar will enter.
And Axiom takes out McDonagh and Hayes. And this what Axiom needs to do.
Because he is down a fall. McDonagh's down a fall. Hayes has one.
[Booker] Look at that. Beautiful flying cross body.
But all the time wasted there by Axiom.
Seems like Axiom has no sense of urgency in this match up.
And I'm gonna tell you now, that's the one thing you need
in a match up like this, Vic.
[Vic] He earned the opportunity on Tuesday.
He did say he wanted to be in earlier,
to your point, to maximize his opportunities,
to earn points.
But are you saying Axiom doesn't have that instinct at this moment?
[Booker] Like I said, coming in early, still having that bad wheel a little bit,
right now, Axiom needs to think about one thing,
"How am I going to get a pinfall?
How am I going to try to win this thing? How can I make history tonight?"
-[Vic] Hayes got wiped off. Oh! -[Booker] Oh!
[Vic] And McDonagh land on Axiom.
As who is next to enter the match?
[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one!
-[sirens wailing] -[Grayson Waller's theme music playing]
-[Booker] Oh! -[Alicia] Grayson Waller!
[Vic] And Waller, double take down!
-[Booker] The party just started. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Vic] Whoa! You can say that again.
Look how quick Waller went into the next cover.
-[Vic] You got to be kidding me! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Two!
[Booker] I don't like this kid, Grayson Waller.
But he is the Colby Covington of this business.
[Alicia] Grayson Waller has scored the last two falls!
[Vic] Not only that.
Two now go to the penalty box.
Axiom and McDonagh.
And it's to Waller.
And it's to Hayes.
This is where that cheap shot comes back into place from Tuesday.
[Booker] Man, let me tell you something.
This kid, Grayson Waller, he believes in his talent.
He believes in his ability.
And that right there is the one thing
that might take him all the way to the dance.
[Vic] Looking for a third fall. Nice bridge.
Nice core strength turned into a backslide.
It's now Hayes looking for the fall. And another kick out.
Ooh! That might get Waller
a third fall.
And just kicking out.
And, you know, if you're ahead
three to one
and Joe Gacy hasn't even entered the match,
you're putting everyone in an uphill battle.
[Booker] Perfect position for this kid, Grayson Waller,
to just come in and just snatch two victories
just like that.
[Vic] And Book, Waller is a superstar who is all about business.
And he certainly came out of the gates hot.
And is now looking to plant Hayes right here in front of us.
Hayes able to jump up and over.
-[Vic] Nice pump kick! -[Booker] He's crafty. He's good.
-[Vic] And just like-- Ooh! -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Booker] Didn't I tell you, this kid, Grayson Waller,
he believes in his ability.
And I must say… I must concur the kid is good.
[Vic] Look at Axiom now chopping at the bit.
-[Vic] He's got two men down. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] He's down two falls to Waller.
[indistinct shouting]
[Vic] Ooh! And I think McDonagh grabbed Axiom.
And is this wise?
Axiom turning his attention to McDonagh.
[Booker laughing] May not be wise.
But this is payback. I get it.
I understand.
Right now, Axiom has an axe to grind.
And he's doing it.
[Vic] They're fighting in the penalty box. Ooh!
[crowd chattering]
[Vic] Well, Axiom getting the better of that exchange.
And now, refocusing.
-[Vic] Oh, geez! -[Booker] My God, man.
[Vic] At what cost, though? Axiom just cost himself some time.
[Booker] It's not about winning for Axiom. Axiom is caught in the moment.
Right now, he's got JD on the mind.
[Vic] Hall of Fame panelist described Waller
as rude, arrogant, and cocky.
And you could say the same about Carmelo Hayes.
And Hayes, along with Waller,
the only two that have secured any sort of falls.
Hayes could be looking to tie things up.
[Booker] Don't play the game.
[Vic] Two minutes until the final superstar
will enter this match up.
[Booker] Do exactly what you… You're special.
Right now, you got this. You can do this, man.
[Vic] Axiom continuing to fight. And how quickly…
Oh, quickly rolling into another cover.
[Vic] Axiom again able to power his way free.
And staying right on top of him
is Hayes.
-[wrestlers chattering] -[Booker] They're talking.
-[Vic] Hayes… -[Booker] I don't like this, Vic.
[Vic] That's all Hayes is doing, talking.
[Booker] I don't like this right here. Wasting valuable, valuable time.
[Vic] And Hayes crashing. Landing on his…
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Booker] Whoa! Incoming.
[Vic] Well, again, the clock continuing to move.
-[Vic] And… Ooh! -[crowd] Whoa!
[Booker] Wow!
[Waller] Who's in your Five now, bitch?
[crowd] Ooh!
[crowd booing]
[Booker] He didn't say that.
Tell me…
he didn't…
just…
say that.
This kid needs to focus.
[Vic] But right now, we need to refocus.
-[Vic] Because in less than 60 seconds… -[Booker] I'm not…
-[Vic] Roll through! -[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Like I said, the kid's got a lot of talent.
[Vic] Roll through. Hold on!
[Alicia] Axiom has scored a fall!
-[Vic] And indeed that was a fall… Oh! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] Where does Axiom pulling this out of?
He just got his first fall. And Waller is sent to the penalty box.
Golden ratio!
-[Booker] I like it. This is the Axiom-- -[Vic] To tie it up!
-[Booker] Oh, wow. -[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Axiom has scored another fall!
[Vic] Axiom just like that.
How quick.
Axiom using his own strategy to his advantage.
Maximizing his time since the start.
It's been a long road.
He's now tied it at two with Waller.
As Waller, McDonagh in the penalty box.
-[Vic] And here comes the final superstar. -[Booker] It's about pushing yourself.
[Joe Gacy's theme music playing] ♪ Love is blind… ♪
[Alicia] Joe Gacy!
Just you wait, lad.
Just you wait.
[theme music intensifies]
[Vic] Gacy wanted position number four. He said it on Tuesday.
He's getting position five.
And you gotta think
he might now have the advantage in this match up.
Because there's two in the penalty box. Axiom's been here since the start.
Hayes is taking a lot of punishment.
[Booker] Hayes, right now, he's the worse for wear.
And I'm going to tell you, Axiom, he's down right now.
He may be out of gas.
And right now, Gacy is on the move.
[Vic] Gacy right now looking to go for the jugular.
-[Vic] And turning Axiom inside out… -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] …to earn a fall 60 seconds into entering the match.
Axiom able to kick out. But Gacy quick to stay on top.
-[Vic] Looking for a submission. -[Booker] Oh… He's gone.
-[Vic] Oh, he is. Is Axiom going to tap? -[Gacy screaming]
[Vic] Every superstar now in this match up. And Axiom has to tap.
-[Vic] No choice. -[Booker] Great strategy by Gacy--
[Alicia] Joe Gacy has scored a fall!
[Vic] And now, look, Waller's getting out of the penalty box.
McDonagh has less than ten seconds.
Axiom's going in for a fresh 90.
Oh, Waller.
[Booker] What Waller's got to do is he got to run in there on Gacy.
-[Vic] And McDonagh as well. -[Waller] Hey, c'mon!
[Waller] There you go. He's all yours. Who you think you are, Axiom?
[Vic] And for McDonagh and Axiom… Ooh!
-[Booker] Oh, man. This is personal. -[Vic] Answers to definition of payback
[Vic] for McDonagh.
But time is ticking, Book.
Time is ticking.
Waller doesn't care.
He's got two falls.
[Booker] Like I said, McDonagh is in a different place right now.
Axiom, he's in another world right now.
It's not about winning for those two individuals.
It should be, Vic. But right now, we're thinking about other things.
[crowd] Melo!
[Vic] Gacy realizing, when he locks eyes with Hayes,
they look up at the scoreboard, at the clock.
Just over 17 minutes into this match up.
Trying to take Carmelo to upside down!
-[Vic] Certainly did. Gacy now. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Booker] Wow! -[Vic] Gacy has tied Axiom and Waller.
[Alicia] Joe Gacy has scored a fall!
[Vic] And now Hayes goes to the penalty box.
And in less than two and a half minutes, Gacy has changed this match up around.
-[Vic] He has tied it at two. -[Booker] We still got a lot of time.
-[Vic] A lot of time. You're right. -[Booker] A lot of time in this game.
[Booker] We still in the second or the third frame.
We got a lot of tennis to play, brother.
[Vic] Look, it was Molly Holly, it was Road Dogg,
who picked Gacy for what he's done to Jagger and Reid.
And right now, they certainly have picked maybe the golden goose.
-[Vic] As Gacy… -[Booker] Oh, wow!
[Vic] When was the last time you saw that?
[Booker] The first time I've seen that.
-[Vic] Oh, McDonagh. -[Booker] He took the brunt of that.
-[Vic] Because Axiom can't get out. -[crowd] Ooh!
[Vic] Axiom's got to get out of the penalty box.
His time's up.
-[crowd chattering] -[McDonagh speaking indistinctly]
-[Vic] And… Oh! -[crowd] Ooh!
[Booker laughing]
-[Vic] We've talked about risk all night. -[penalty box door opening]
[wrestlers chattering]
[Vic] We talked about risk all night long.
-[Booker] Wow! -[crowd] Ooh!
[Booker] That's Axiom right there, man.
-[Booker] That's Axiom. -[Vic] Well, so much--
[crowd chanting] Holy shit!
[Vic] And Hayes is realizing
there's 20 seconds left on his penalty clock time.
He could come in
and clean things up.
He could come in and clean things up right now.
Hayes is down a fall.
And Waller, Gacy, and Axiom
with ten seconds.
[Booker] Yeah, I was talking about we still got time left.
But I'm going to tell you, that time is ticking and moving real fast.
Anytime you feel it got something to do,
that's when time just moves like never before.
Right now is that situation.
Here we go, Carmelo.
-[Booker] Come on. You're close. -[Vic] Waller coming back in.
[Vic] Around goes Hayes. Hayes drops Waller.
Into the cover. Hayes needs this.
And he didn't get it. But transitioning into a crossface.
Submission locked on. Waller rolling through.
Hayes not letting go. And now cranking back on Waller.
Waller reaching.
-[Vic] Waller with a tap. -[Booker] Wow! Beautiful.
[Alicia] Carmelo Hayes has scored a fall!
[Vic] But for Waller, who now goes to the penalty box,
it seems Waller…
Oh, just got dropped.
And now chucked in by Gacy.
You got to think, though, quick tap from Waller.
[Booker] We got a little bit more than five minutes left in this match up.
Right now, it's critical timing for these men.
[Vic] How about the timing for Waller? Made the tap.
Maybe he did that realizing he didn't want more pain to be inflicted on him,
was gonna take a 90-second rest period because he has two falls?
[Booker] It was smart to go ahead and take that quick submission.
[Vic] We might see a submission. Axiom trying to lock in the armbar.
Gacy trying to fight. Gacy trying to crawl.
Gacy trying to do anything. But here's a transition.
[Booker] This where Axiom is at his best.
When you think you got Axiom, he got you.
Right now,
Gacy is in a bad position.
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Wow! What was that?
[Vic] You saw Hayes. He looked over at you and pointed.
But instead gets caught with a kick from Axiom.
Square between the eyes. Axiom looking to fly.
McDonagh able to pull, catch, snap and drop.
[Booker] My God, man! JD McDonagh right now.
This is the guy that I talk about as far as when he gets you,
he's gonna try to take you out,
he's gonna try to snuff you out.
[Vic] He's trying to take some of that because he's got ten seconds with Waller.
This is someone's moment to pick up a critical fall.
Waller jumping.
Ooh! Waller trying to get back in.
Oh! Gacy gets dropped. Three seconds for Waller.
McDonagh now trying to crawl into the cover.
Here comes Waller. Clock was up. Looking for that stunner!
Got caught by the devil inside. This could be the moment.
McDonagh's got no falls. McDonagh looking for his first fall.
And everyone breaking up the count.
[Booker] I tell you, Vic. Bad place, bad timing for McDonagh there.
Because that was a guarantee count.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Still trending number one
because of the innovative action we've had with these Iron Survivor matches.
And I want to focus in now, Book. We're approaching the final four minutes.
And for McDonagh, frustration has to be setting in.
He's got zero decisions,
while everyone else in the field has two.
[Booker] Right now, McDonagh is behind the eight ball, Vic.
He needs to do something. And he needs to do it quick.
I talk about that sand in the hourglass.
It's running out.
He needs pinfalls if he wants to make history.
But right now,
it's even Stephen.
[Vic] McDonagh questioned everyone's endurance tonight.
But it looks at this moment, McDonagh trying to figure out…
what's…
next.
Maybe he shouldn't have been questioning everyone's endurance.
-[Vic] The field has risen up. -[crowd chanting] You fucked up!
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] All four men turning their attention to the other.
Because the clock is ticking. The biggest enemy tonight is time.
You don't get any more. You talk about sand in that hourglass.
It's ticking away for everyone.
[Booker] Gacy been trying to land that one big shot.
-[Vic] You talk about that big move… Oh! -[Booker] Oh!
[Vic] Forget about Waller's opportunity.
He's taken out. He's done.
[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] And Gacy right back in.
-[Vic] Catching and… Ooh! -[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] High impact offense. And back to another submission.
And will Hayes tap?
-[Booker] He's hurt, Vic. -[Vic] Will Hayes tap to save time?
[Vic] If Gacy gets a submission,
Gacy will be in the driver's seat with three falls.
Less than two minutes to go.
McDonagh breaking it up. And McDonagh is behind
the eight ball.
He's got no decisions. He's got no points.
And he is locked in
to another submission.
[Booker] Right now, the clock is running out on McDonagh.
But who's going to pull it off?
Waller, he's got two. Hayes got two. Gacy, Axiom.
Everybody's all evened up. Who's going to pull it out?
[Vic] Axiom breaking things up.
And if we have a tie,
if everyone's tied at two but McDonagh,
we will move to sudden death.
But Gacy doesn't want sudden death.
Gacy trying to beat down Axiom. Trying to gain that third fall.
-[Booker] He's got him hooked. -[Vic] We're in the final 90 seconds.
-[Vic] Is he gonna tap? -[Booker] He got to tap.
[Vic] He's not going to have enough time to get back in this match.
We're in the final 90 seconds.
Approaching the final 60 seconds.
[Booker] Gacy's so close. And right now, Axiom, he's fighting it.
He's fighting it with everything, Vic.
[Vic] Both guys got to look up. Boom! Hayes.
Turning around into McDonagh is Gacy.
Gacy is down.
So is Axiom.
Now so is Hayes.
And McDonagh, he's looking up.
He's realizing he's in the final 60 seconds.
He's got to get two falls, Book.
[Booker] How are you gonna do it? How's he gonna do it?
-[Booker] There's not enough time. -[Vic] Woah! What a DDT by Axiom.
[Vic] But look who's up. Look who's down. Bam! Nothing but net!
-[Booker] That man! -[Vic] Clock's ticking!
[Vic] Woah, Waller with a big right hand.
We're approaching the final 30 seconds. The field's knotted at two.
-[Vic] Waller realizing it. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Vic] Waller picked up the third fall. Axiom's in the penalty box.
[Alicia] Grayson Waller has scored a fall!
[Vic] Axiom is out. There's no way for Axiom to get back in.
-[Booker] Hayes needs a pin. -[Vic] Hayes is realizing it.
[Vic] What the hell? Get away from me. Hey!
They're running around us. It's a race for time.
The clock's ticking.
Inside the final ten seconds.
It's down to nine. They're trying to catch Waller.
[Vic] It's at five! Waller trying to hang on.
-[Vic] And three, two… Oh my… -[crowd cheering]
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Here is your winner
and Men's Iron Survivor…
Grayson Waller!
[Vic] We are never
going to hear the end of this.
[Grayson Waller's theme music playing] ♪ Now do it 'cause I say so, say so ♪
♪ When I pop out they lay low, they know ♪
♪ Blood run hot But that heart cold, stay froze ♪
♪ You know how that thang go I can't stop… ♪
[Vic] We talk about snakes slithering their way in to steal things.
I did it!
[Vic] An Australian python that is the arrogant Aussie…
just stole this match.
Book, it was all legal.
It was wise strategy since the beginning for Waller.
He came out of the gates hot,
picking up his two decisions until that final one back-to-back.
Couldn't have had a better way to start this off if you're Waller.
And in an awesome moment, Waller here.
This was a huge decision by Waller to make that quick tap to save himself,
to save some time, to put himself in the penalty box.
But here was the greatest decision Waller made here tonight.
After nothing but net connected, big right hand dropped Hayes.
And there we see slithering in
for what would be the third and final fall.
And then it was the chase was on.
The clock was running out.
And time was on the side of Grayson Waller,
who is able to run out,
and in lack of a better phrase, beat the clock
here tonight
to become the Men's Iron Survivor.
♪ Don't play pretend 'Bout to go off the deep end ♪
Australia, baby! I told everyone.
[Waller shouting indistinctly]
[Waller shouting] Aah!
[Grayson Waller's theme music continues]
Drew, this past Tuesday, you made your return to NXT.
And there's been a lot of speculation as to why.
Do you care to clarify?
Yeah, more than happy to.
For whatever reason,
I feel like I haven't been able to reach my full potential.
But I'm not going to point fingers at everyone else.
I'm pointing it at myself.
And I have a pretty good idea of how to get to where I want to go.
I didn't come here to complain.
I came here to grind in that ring.
And if I see someone with potential,
something special in one of these NXT superstars
or even one of the future NXT superstars training at the PC,
who I can help and who can help me, well, even better.
-Strength in numbers. -[man] Hey, Drew.
-Damon Kemp. -Yeah, I know exactly who you are.
Great wrestler
with an even more notorious attitude.
I'll take that as a compliment.
I seen you watching on Tuesday.
Well, this Tuesday, I'm back in the ring for the first time in over two months.
[Drew] Oh.
And if there's one match that you're going to want to watch,
it's mine
when I school Chase U's Duke Hudson.
You're going to school him?
Yeah, I think I have a pretty good idea of who you are, Damon.
But I'll check it out.
Yeah, great. Good luck on Tuesday.
-[Damon] Yeah. -Excuse me.
[rock music]
[Vic] We talk about this Tuesday. How about the brawl we witnessed tonight?
And now both these teams who have championship dreams
are going to battle this Tuesday on NXT.
Toxic Attraction, Nile & Paxley.
And in a true battle of big men,
the heavy hitters are going to be alive
when Wagner takes on Jones one-on-one
this Tuesday live on USA.
And Valkyria, who we've been talking about
for several weeks.
We've been seeing these vignettes.
She is going to arrive.
The Women's Division is going to get deeper.
You do not want to miss this debut this Tuesday live on NXT.
But we aren't done yet tonight.
As our champion, Bron Breakker, is set to defend the NXT title
against Apollo Crews.
Will Crews's vision of holding the gold come true?
Or will Bron Breakker toss yet another challenger back?
I'm back!
[crowd chanting] Welcome back!
[Crews] When I left NXT for the first time,
I left way too soon.
And I left a lot of things
that I wanted to accomplish
on the table.
[soft music playing]
[Crews] Six months to almost the day
when I looked Bron Breakker in the face and I said…
I envision
that one day, sooner rather than later,
you and I
will be making some history together.
I'll see you down the road, champ.
[Crews] The weight of being champion has taken its toll on Bron.
I can see it in his eyes.
But when you look into my eyes…
the vision,
the endgame is clear.
Is this seat taken?
[Breakker] I figured you'd be here.
-[clock ticking] -No more fish to catch?
[Crews] You know some, Bron?
I've watched and studied
every single one of your matches.
-[clock ticking] -[Breakker] Hmm.
I can tell the grind of being champion is getting to you.
[dramatic music playing]
[Breakker] When one challenge ends…
another one begins.
I got competitors coming at me from all angles.
-[crowd cheering] -[music intensifies]
All the heavy hitters.
-[clock ticking] -[crowd] Wow!
[Breakker] Apollo Crews, he's next.
[Crews] When one challenge ends…
the next one begins.
[Crews] NXT Deadline is my time.
My vision
is clear.
You've always been the guy who has perfect balance.
[Breakker] Speed. Strength. All right?
You're sitting across the table
from a guy who has the same skills.
[Breakker] Has there been a time when a vision hasn't come true?
Nope.
Guess there's a first for everything, right?
-[Breakker] See you around. -[Crews] Later, champ.
[Crews] What's up, champ?
[dramatic music]
You got room for one more?
-All right. Come on. -[Crews] All right.
-Would you untie us? -[Crews] You got it, champ.
[dramatic music intensifies]
[Crews] Let me ask something. Does this really help
take the pressure off being champion?
Or is this just an excuse to be alone?
It's just so peaceful out here, man.
As soon as you hold that NXT Championship,
so much pressure comes with it.
[Breakker] Not to mention fighting the best of the best.
[Crews] If you're tired of the grind, how about this Saturday
you hand me over the title and take that much-needed break?
[Breakker laughing]
I'm going to have to respectfully decline.
Almost had him.
[Breakker] In all seriousness, Deadline's going to be a banger, man.
My game plan is the same as it's always been.
[Breakker] Power, intensity, speed.
[Crews] I like that. But this Saturday, I'm going to challenge that power.
[Crews] I'm going to challenge that intensity.
And I'm definitely going to challenge that speed.
[Vic] No more diners, no more boats, no more fishing.
Bron Breakker looks to retain the title
against the man who came back to NXT
to finally claim the gold.
It's Crews.
It's Breakker.
It's one-on-one for the NXT title at NXT Deadline.
[dramatic music intensifies]
[Crews] You ready for it?
-May the best man win. -[Crews] All right.
[dramatic music intensifies]
[dramatic music ends]
-[dramatic music playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[dramatic music continues] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Apollo!
[Apollo Crews's theme music playing]
[Vic] June 7th
is when Crews walked through that very curtain to return to NXT.
Originally signed back to 2015.
Book, if you remember,
he has stated several, several times
he never tasted gold here in NXT.
He came back for the NXT Championship,
which is what he could be moments away from putting around his waist.
You see him taking some deep breaths.
You see him trying to stay in the moment, trying to stay focused.
But do you understand his mindset to come back?
[Booker] Yes, of course.
Vic, sometimes, you just want to check off every box.
You don't want to leave nothing on the table.
And right now, Apollo is here for one reason and one reason only.
And that's to become the NXT Champion.
And you got to respect that, man.
You got to respect that, Vic.
[Vic] Could tonight be the night for Crews?
Who has had the vision since that day I mentioned in June
that he would hold the NXT title in his hands
to complete his journey that he started back in 2015.
And for Crews, he was available during media.
And this was very big note here. As this match plays on.
He said he doesn't feel pressure anymore.
-[epic music playing] -[Booker] You know what? He should.
[crowd cheering]
[epic music intensifies and ends]
-[crowd clapping] -[sirens wailing]
[Bron Breakker's theme music playing]
[Vic] And how about the message
sent to the challenger?
For the last year, Bron Breakker has dropped all those in his path.
No matter how big.
No matter how strong.
No matter what country you were from.
He has learned truly what it takes, Book,
to be a champion.
[Booker] Yeah, I said it a second ago.
As far as Apollo, should he be worried about anything in this match?
These two stars came from
two totally different paths.
Apollo, he cut his teeth, man.
This guy was one of the best on the indie scene forever.
He was highly talented to come to this company, to WWE.
Bron Breakker, take nothing away from him,
but he had to take a totally different route.
He didn't have to go through the trenches.
He didn't have to go
through all those land mines.
He took, perhaps,
the easy way, Vic.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Introducing first the challenger…
Apollo Crews!
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] And his opponent, he is…
the NXT Champion…
Bron Breakker!
[Vic] Main event time here
at NXT Deadline.
And Book, I want to get you on record here.
Do you favor the champion or the challenger
in this match up?
[Booker laughing]
[Booker] Vic, for me, it's always gonna be a champion's advantage.
Always, because the champ don't have to win it.
He just don't have to lose it.
-[Booker] That's what it's about. -[bell ringing]
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Mutual respect between these superstars.
[crowd chanting] Apollo!
[crowd howling]
[Vic] You can see the NXT,
you can hear the NXT universe
split down the middle.
You can feel a lot of tension.
[Booker speaking indistinctly]
[Vic laughing] Can you feel it? This is unreal.
[Booker laughing] I feel it.
It feels good.
[Vic] I wanna get into this match up because we're getting lost in this moment
with the energy that is in this room.
And I want to focus in on both these superstars.
But I specifically wanna focus in on Breakker
because we've seen him during his "down time."
He's acknowledged just how important every match is.
That in the blink of an eye,
everything he's worked for could be gone.
So, does that mean he's a little too worried about losing?
Is that already in the back of his mind going against Apollo Crews?
[Booker] Look, Vic, I have watched this kid,
and how he goes out and do his work, Bron Breakker.
And he's all about putting the work in.
He knows every match
is going to be a little bit different.
He knows he's going to be tired.
He knows he's going to be sore,
beat down, sick, torn, ragged, and worn.
You got to get in there and get the job done.
That's what this kid Bron Breakker is all about, man.
[Vic] We also heard Breakker talk to Crews about his game plan last Tuesday.
He said, "It's simple. It's power. It's intensity. It's speed."
But I'll counter that, Book, by saying,
don't you think Crews can challenge that power,
that intensity, that speed?
[Booker] I mean, you got two guys, Vic,
that could go toe-to-toe,
blow for…
You're talking about the doppelganger, right?
You talking about looking in the mirror and who's looking back.
That's what this match is all about.
We're going to see who's the most…
Who's the best tonight.
Who's got the most raw talent.
[Vic] We're seeing this test of strength between both.
-[Vic] And there's that athleticism. -[Booker] Oh, beautiful.
[crowd clapping]
[Vic] What did you say? Doppelganger? That's a great word.
It's almost as if they're looking in the mirror.
And to be fair, some aspects of Bron's game,
they have Apollo's fingerprints.
They both talked about the standing moonsault.
[Booker] I mean, you can only respect that.
You see somebody that's got just different athletic skills,
that's just on another level, you got to respect that.
Because you got to know if you can go out there
and compete with the best.
Oh, wow.
[Vic] Breakker able to land on his feet.
A little tit for tat.
Anything you can do, I can do better.
[Booker] I like that.
[crowd howling]
[crowd] Apollo!
[Booker] This is gonna be a chess match.
Who's going to make the right move at the right time
for the ultimate checkmate?
I love it.
[Vic] In your Hall of Fame,
perhaps I should say in your two-time Hall of Fame career,
did you have to adapt your game
because you were in the ring with someone so similar?
[Vic] As the shoulders are down. Crews rolls back off.
[Booker] That was a little different.
[Booker] I was what they call prolific.
[Vic laughing]
[Booker] But you run into that time to time.
And it brings the best out of you, man.
[Vic] These superstars looking to bring the best out of each other.
And this, the main event, NXT Deadline.
Both have the opportunity to call themselves champion.
Something Bron Breakker has been all year long.
Something for Apollo Crews
he has been thinking about.
He's put into his vision that he would wear the NXT title.
And we know the history for Apollo Crews.
He's a former Intercontinental Champion.
He's held the prestigious United States Championship.
He's been to WrestleMania. He's been victorious at WrestleMania.
[Booker] I mean, he has. But I like what I'm seeing
out of this young lad
in Bron Breakker.
He's going to try to push Apollo to that limit.
I think that's going to be the strategy
for this kid tonight.
[wrestlers chattering]
[Vic] Right in now goes Breakker. He's got the upper hand.
Let's talk about Breakker because it's this time last year
at NXT version of WarGames Bron started to build that résumé.
Tonight, though, he's looking to further cement it.
[Booker] I mean, he's looking to cement it with a high-caliber athlete
by the name of Apollo Crews.
This guy is a little bit different than most that Bron Breakker has faced.
And tonight, we're going to see exactly
what this kid is made of.
[Vic] Quite the feeling-out process.
Going for the hip toss again.
-[Vic] And again, both men-- -[Booker] Oh!
[Booker] I thought somebody was gonna fly over the top rope right there.
[referee giving instructions]
-[wrestler] Hey, c'mon! -[crowd] Ooh!
[Vic] What do you make of that, Book? This has been a real…
[Booker] Look, it's gonna come down
to that sooner or later.
These guys got to know.
They can't be out on the lake worried about catching bass
or anything at this time.
It's about reeling in that championship.
[Vic] There's that standing moonsault we were talking about.
Into the cover. First one.
And a kick out there at two.
Near fall. And did you hear Breakker?
-[Booker] No. Let me tell you something… -[Vic] Breakker's favorite fish…
-[Vic] There it is again! -[Booker] That moonsault precision timing.
[Booker] Could've broke a rib or anything. Bron Breakker is feeling it.
[Vic] Five-tool player is Crews, a hybrid athlete.
Can do it all.
Can get on the mat, can fly.
And he looks to go over and perfectly planted on the midsection.
Into the cover. And another near fall.
I got to go back to that standing moonsault.
Because I heard Breakker from here scream out.
Crews had to have heard it because he is now focused
on driving the air out of the lungs and focusing on the midsection.
[Booker] That's one thing you never hear with these guys.
You don't hear them cry, or moan, or anything like that.
So when you hear something like that,
you know you are on the right track.
Right now, Apollo is breaking down Breakker.
[Vic] On the same part, Breakker trying to get back
into this match up here in the early stages of it.
Look at Breakker right to the mat.
[Booker] Bron Breakker's trying to slow the momentum down.
[Vic] We talked about strength.
How about the strength
of the former Baltimore Raven Bron Breakker?
[Booker] Wow!
Beautiful standing suplex right there.
Apollo's got to be a little dazed.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] There it is again.
[Vic] You talked about that chess game. Into the cover.
And a kick out by Crews.
[Booker] I don't know. I gave Apollo Crews's moonsault a ten.
I gave Bron Breakker's a seven and a half.
I don't know.
[Vic] Breakker now throwing a little caution to the wind.
-[Breakker cheering] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Book, I asked you earlier about when someone is so similar to you,
how do you adapt?
We've seen Breakker earlier onto this match up adapt
because Breakker just went up, over, and down onto the challenger.
[Booker] Let me tell you something.
He just pulled that one out of the hat.
But I must say,
this kid Breakker knows.
He knows preparation is the only luck you--
-[Vic] Oh! -[Booker] Oh, wow!
-[crowd cheering] -[referee chattering]
[Vic] What a knee from Crews.
We talked about pinpoint precision.
That was timed perfectly by Apollo Crews.
[Booker] Caught him flush on the nose.
I'm going to tell you right now, that was a hard shot.
-[Breakker groaning] -[Crews panting heavily]
-[man] Let's go! -[crowd chattering]
[Vic] Is Crews going to that place?
[Booker laughing]
[crowd] Apollo!
[crowd chanting] This is wrestling!
[Vic] Apollo in this moment…
just became a different version of Apollo Crews.
We got to think we talked about visions. We talked about going back to 2015.
This is what Apollo Crews came back here to do.
He came back to become the NXT Champion.
And he might've just done it. And a near fall.
Breakker able to kick out.
[Booker] If you feel like you've been held down,
this is what happens.
The beast come out of you.
And right now, this is a…
I must say, this is a different Apollo Crews.
I don't know this guy right here. This is a different guy.
[Vic] And looking to complete the trifecta of German suplexes.
And quickly Crews right back into the cover.
Another hook of the leg. And Breakker again
able to kick out at two.
But the eyes.
The eyes, Book, of Apollo Crews. We haven't seen this in June.
[Booker] I don't know this guy. But I like him. I like him a lot.
[Vic] Crews realizing it might take a…
I don't want to say a different style, a different version.
But he knows that his back is against the wall tonight.
This is what he has called out since he arrived in June,
that he would become champion.
[Booker] Look, if Apollo knows anything, he knows Breakker.
He knows Bron Breakker is different.
[Vic] Able to roll through. Crews holding onto Breakker.
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Power bomb!
[Booker] He got it.
[Vic] And an extra one maybe for good measure.
Shoulders are down.
No way.
We talked about completing the trifecta.
-[Vic] A third power bomb by Crews. -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] Is this it? And again…
[Crews screaming]
[Vic] And did you hear Crews scream?
[Booker] Like I say, man, that's some kind of a beast
coming out of Apollo Crews right now.
He's hungry.
He's hungry for gold.
[Vic] No one has been able to do this to Breakker!
[Vic] Frog splash. Perfect.
Cover.
-[Vic] And a… Ah! -[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] How close was that, Book?
[Booker] So close.
[Vic] Take another look.
After three power bombs, after three German suplexes,
and after this frog splash,
Crews into the cover.
How much…? What is it going to take to take down…?
I want to say this again, Book.
No one, nobody has done this
to Bron Breakker
the way Apollo Crews is taking it to the champion right now.
[Booker] You asked the question. What is it gonna take?
I don't know. But I do see one thing.
I see a bit of frustration creeping in
with Apollo Crews because he thought that should've been it.
-[Breakker] Ow! -[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] But Crews, the veteran.
This made him Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion,
could make him NXT Champion.
Ooh! Continuing to push forward.
A little bit of a misstep.
As now Breakker has some time
to get a few breaths, to get a few moments to get some air back into his lungs.
How crucial of a point in this match up is it for Breakker?
[Booker] We talked about it all night. Just having that little bit of space.
Being able to create that bit of space
so you could get on the move, get on your bicycle.
Just like this right here. Bron Breakker is coming back.
-[Booker] Oh, yes! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Breakker indeed is coming back. He's powering back.
[crowd howling]
[Vic] We've seen this time and time again
from Bron Breakker.
And Breakker now, we saw him try to execute this earlier.
-[Vic] He caught a knee to the jaw. -[Breakker howling]
[Vic] Breakker feeding off the energy of the NXT universe.
[Booker] He got all of it, Vic.
[Vic] Did he get enough of it to put Apollo Crews down tonight?
And a kick out by Crews.
This championship match up continues to roll on.
And, Book, you said it, he got all of that bulldog.
[Booker] It's not going to be that easy. Right now Apollo Crews, he wants it.
Bron Breakker, he's not that willing to give it up.
So tonight, we're going to see exactly what we're going…
I'm going to stay in the back seat
and just ride, man.
-[Booker] I'm just riding. -[Vic] Breakker now measuring.
[Vic] Just like the fish in the pond catching.
Now could be looking for the release… DDT! Nice job by Crews.
Had it scouted, knew it was coming, and had a counter.
[Booker] Bron Breakker lost his balance.
And right there,
Apollo was just able to capitalize
and hit that big shot.
[Vic] Into the cover. Breakker's shoulder getting off the mat.
You talk about capitalizing.
Half second for Apollo Crews.
Half second from another piece of validation
in his career.
You talked about those struggles.
You talked about that journey from the indies to NXT, to WrestleMania.
He's remembering all that right now in this moment.
[Booker laughing] Hey, man. Those long car rides.
Those 300, and 400, and 500-mile trips.
He remembers all that, man.
-[Booker] He capitalizes on this moment. -[Vic] Breakker turning around on Crews.
[Vic] A taste of his own medicine.
Crews just kicked out.
And now, what's going through the champion's mind?
[Booker] Right there Bron Breakker did everything he possibly could
to hold Apollo down for that three count.
But Apollo kicked out.
Somehow.
Someway.
Wow, what a match, Vic.
[Vic] You say what a match. Take a look at these superstars.
There's been no wasted motion.
It's been power shot after power shot after power shot.
Now Breakker could be looking
-[Vic] for the final shot. -[Booker] He's looking for that kill shot.
[Vic] Up again. Crews able to counter.
-[Vic] Oh. -[Crews grunting]
-[Vic] No way! -[Booker] Oh, wow!
-[Booker] With ease. -[Vic] Is it gonna be like this?
-[Vic] Crews! -[crowd] Ooh!
[Vic] Unreal.
[Booker] The strength of Apollo Crews right there, Vic.
That was a cleaning jerk if I've ever saw one.
[crowd chanting] NXT!
[Vic] Crews just used Breakker's best shot against him.
Breakker was still able to kick out.
And you talked about it earlier, that frustration settling in.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
This is mine!
[wrestlers shouting]
It's mine!
[wrestlers continue shouting]
[Booker laughing] Talking about the doppelganger.
This is it
at its finest right here.
These two young men,
nobody is willing to give an inch.
Nobody is willing to quit.
Vic, what a night.
What a fight.
[Vic] Right now it might not be about skill.
-Hit me! C'mon! -You talking to me?
[Vic] It's about the pure will to win the gold,
to be the champion, and to carry NXT.
So much taken out of these superstars.
-[Breakker] Oh! -[Vic] Breakker charged in.
[Vic] We talked about those heavy hits.
Oh, there's one from Crews.
Breakker rocked. Pump kick under the jaw.
Breakker somehow still on his feet.
Goes up, over. Able to land.
Comes right back in with a spear. Into the cover!
-[Vic] And Breakker retains. -[bell ringing]
[rock music playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner and still the NXT Champion…
Bron Breakker!
[Vic] What a victory for Breakker.
Take nothing away from Apollo Crews.
Crews brought it tonight.
[Booker] Wow, Vic.
[Booker] Vic, like I said. What a night.
What a night. What a fight.
NXT Deadline delivered in every sense of the word.
Wow.
Bron Breakker still NXT champion.
[Vic] Now what action. For Apollo Crews, you can make the argument
this was his best opportunity
to win the NXT Championship here tonight,
going into Bron Breakker's playbook.
But in the end, when you talk about heavy shots,
all night long for both these superstars,
in the end, it was Breakker who said he was going to use his power,
he was going to use his intensity, and he was going to use his speed
to take it home here tonight.
And that's exactly
what Bron Breakker did
here in NXT Deadline.
[crowd cheering]
[Bronn Breakker's theme music playing]
[Vic] You take a look at the admiration. You can feel the love from the universe.
-[Vic] Oh! C'mon! -[Booker] Whoa!
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Waller!
[Vic] Grayson Waller beat the clock earlier tonight, and he's
sending a message to Breakker that his time as champion could be up.
I'm telling you, lad, I run this!
[crowd cheering]
Subtitles: Victoria Ruggieri his!