[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music concludes]
[theme music playing]
[Vic] We are live in one of the Twin Cities,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to SummerSlam 2026,
the Mall of America,
and tonight, the most exciting 25 minutes in the WWE,
the Iron Survivor Challenge.
And there is Je'Von Evans,
one of the five men who will be looking
to become the Iron Survivor tonight here at Deadline.
So is Ethan Page.
The former NXT champion looks to feed his ego
and become the new number one contender.
On the women's side,
are we looking at the favorite in the women's Iron Survivor,
Stephanie Vaquer is ready for battle. But is Trick Williams ready?
He is not 100%, but he will defend the NXT Championship here tonight.
Welcome to WWE Deadline.
[music concludes]
[dramatic holiday music playing]
[narrator] It is the time of year that we embrace joy and peace.
But tonight, for the Superstars of NXT, it's all about survival.
[Vic] Championships will be defended.
History will be made and number one contenders will be decided.
Welcome to NXT Deadline.
Are you ready?
[narrator] Every precious moment counts, in the ring or in the underground.
[Jaida] Lola Vice, you want this underground match?
I'm gonna give you what you want.
[Lola] Miss Parker, this is my world, and you don't know nothing about it.
No pins, no ropes, so I'm gonna knock your ass out.
♪ Here we go, here we go Here we go again ♪
♪ Oh, can you feel the adrenaline? ♪
[narrator] Is the end of a championship reign fast approaching?
Better keep up the pace before time runs out.
[Vic] Nathan Frazer and Axiom defend their titles
against No Quarter Catch Crew, Tavion Heights, and Myles Borne.
Who's gonna walk out of Minneapolis as the NXT Tag Team Champions?
[narrator] When order is shattered by chaos,
the clock is winding down for the fate of NXT.
[Vic] NXT hangs in the balance.
Ridge Holland challenges Trick Williams for the NXT Championship.
Ridge Holland, I won't let you become NXT champion.
Everything we worked so hard to create with this black and silver brand will die.
Trick Williams, you're damn right that it's gonna die.
At Deadline, I will put you down. I'll be seeing you.
[narrator] Tonight, for ten NXT Superstars,
the dream of achieving championship gold is vital.
But when caught in a game of strategy, what's most critical is time.
[Ava] The Iron Survivor Challenge,
the most exciting 25 minutes in all of wrestling.
[commentator] One for the men and one for the women.
[Vic] This is innovative, this is revolutionary.
[narrator] It's about winning the most falls
and avoiding the penalty box before time slips away.
[Vic] These Superstars are battling each other.
They're also battling the clock.
[narrator] Only two will emerge as this year's Iron Survivors
and could one day forge a new era into the echoes of time.
[Vic] Who will stake their claim to a golden opportunity at Deadline?
[music concludes]
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[rock music playing]
[Vic] The Armory is the battlefield. Who will outstrategize the opposition?
Who will beat the clock? Who will beat their deadline?
Welcome in ringside,
Vic Joseph, alongside with a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T.
Booker, are you ready for the final WWE premium live event
-of 2024? -Don't I look ready?
-What, are you cold? -Man, it's ten degrees outside,
but it's about to get hot up in this mug. Oh, yes, man.
Let's go up to our ring announcer, Mike Rome, to get us kicked off tonight.
[bell ringing]
The following is the Men's
Iron Survivor Challenge!
Now, this match begins with two Superstars inside the ring.
Every five minutes, a new Superstar will enter the match
until all five have entered.
Now, falls will be scored by pinfall or submission.
If a Superstar is defeated, they must leave the ring
and enter the penalty box for 90 seconds.
Now, at the end of 25 minutes,
whoever has the most falls will be declared the winner
and the number one contender
-to the NXT Championship. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
♪ Ya boy is bouncy ♪
["Who Want It" playing]
♪ Yeah! Hey! ♪
♪ Look uh yeah, let's go ♪
♪ Who want it? I want the world ♪
♪ Now they running Bout to kick down the door ♪
♪ Bring 'em all on by on in… ♪
[Mike Rome] Introducing first,
Je'Von Evans!
[Vic] Well, first and foremost, Book, this challenge an innovative concept
that this brand has become synonymous with.
We saw the penalty box. It's to our right.
But here's the Young OG who drew the number one spot.
Hopefully that pep talk he got from X-Pac Tuesday when he said,
"Go for it," is gonna help push him through these next 25 minutes.
[Booker] You know what? When I was young, Vic, all I needed was a pat on the back,
somebody telling me, "Hey, you can do this."
Oh, yes. We about to get busy.
["Assemble" playing]
[Vic] Ooh! Look who drew the second spot.
[Mike Rome] And his opponent. Wes Lee!
[Vic] And I say that, Book, because you and I both know these two,
no strangers to each other.
A rivalry renewed to kick us off here tonight
in this Men's Iron Survivor Challenge.
[Booker] Look at the look in the eyes of Wes Lee, I gotta tell you.
Wes Lee earlier in the back, let me tell you,
wasn't that same kid that I saw once upon a time.
No nonsense is this young man.
[Vic] Previous winners include Grayson Waller,
current champion Trick Williams.
Trick, by the way, last year set the record
for the most eliminations with four.
But you see the NXT Universe here in Minneapolis, Minnesota looking in
at these two who certainly are about to set the pace
for the next 25 minutes.
[Booker] High octane, baby. Nitroglycerin.
It's about to get crazy with these two young individuals.
So much talent inside that 20 by 20. Man!
[Vic] And again, you see, you know, the scoreboard book,
-Lee, Evans, Page, Frazer, um… -[bell ringing]
[Vic] Obviously, there is no Eddie Thorpe.
He's up and over, shoulders down, looking for the first decision.
-[Booker] That was close. -[Vic] That would have been quick.
But who has our general manager, Ava, selected?
And with the announcement of that transfer window that is open,
could be anyone from Raw,
could be anyone from SmackDown or NXT, and another near fall.
[Booker] You know what? I'm not gonna anticipate or anything like that.
I'm just gonna wait until it happens.
Right now, we've got two high caliber athletes
inside the square circle, throwing blows.
[Vic] Well, we knew that they were going to set the pace.
And look, Book, this is a true race against your opponents and the clock.
It's the ultimate battle of endurance and strategy.
[Booker] Definitely a very, very unique concept, and right now…
-[Vic] Standing shooting star! -[Booker] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is that it?
-[Vic] For the first decision, and again. -[Booker] I'll tell you something.
This Young OG is going for it early
and that right there just tells me a whole lot about this young man.
He's been in this position
many, many times already at such a young age.
[Vic] Well, look at the body shots right here by Wes Lee.
And look, I wanna ask you this,
would you rather enter this matchup early like these two
or a little bit later on?
I mean, obviously, the longer you are in, it allows you to maximize your time.
[Booker] Come on, I wanna come in at the last minute.
I wanna have as much oxygen in my lungs as possible.
Here we go! Oh, God!
-[Vic] Oh, nasty landing… -[Booker] Right on the back of his head.
[Vic] …for Je'Von Evans.
[crowd chanting] Wes Lee sucks! Wes Lee sucks!
[Booker] That's motivation. I tell you, that's motivation.
[Vic] NXT Universe letting Lee know how they think about him
as he goes into the cover.
And another near fall.
Let's take another look.
-Check out that awkward landing… -[crowd cheering]
…from Je'Von Evans.
And again, if one of these two is able to pick up the pinfalls.
We're just over 90 seconds into this matchup.
You go into the penalty box for 90 seconds.
[Booker] As well as somebody would have a little bit of time to rest.
And that's something you're definitely gonna need in a matchup like this.
[Vic] That goes right back into that strategy that we've talked about.
And what a way to kick off our first NXT Premium Live
at Minneapolis. And another near fall.
It's Evans this time, and I don't know if you noticed it, Book,
but Evans looked up at the clock because he knows
in less than three minutes,
another Superstar is going to enter this matchup.
That could either help him or could hurt him.
[Booker] One thing about this type of matchup, Vic,
time is gonna be your worst enemy in a matchup like this.
You've got to take advantage of each and every second.
And that's what Wes Lee will gauge.
It looks like he's preserving his energy right now, Vic.
Not pressing the gas too hard. I like that strategy.
[Vic] Well, it certainly can be argued
that he is the most decorated Superstar in this matchup.
North American champion, two-time tag team champion,
Dusty Cup winner. Can he add Iron Survivor?
Again, those body shots from Wes Lee.
[Booker] Are you talking about Triple Crown, man?
Are you talking about Triple Crown? That's what this young man is working on.
[Vic] And a shot right to the back of that neck.
And remember the nasty landing he took.
And Wes Lee slowing, being methodical, keeping the pace where he wants it.
Evans right now exerting a lot of energy as we're three minutes into this matchup.
Another Superstar will be coming in in less than two minutes.
And Je'Von Evans trying to turn things around.
Big drop kick. No one home. Double stomp to the spine.
[Booker] I'll tell you right now. Wes Lee is on top of his game.
Maybe two steps ahead of this young man right now.
You can tell he's been prep-prepping for this situation.
Oh, here we go. Here we go, baby. Take flight.
[Vic] Lee told the world in Chicago that he was gonna become the NXT champion.
He wins tonight, he's one step closer.
[Booker] Tell you right now, he's scheming,
this young man right now too, Vic.
[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT! NXT!
[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] Lee able to catch himself for a moment.
Goes up, goes over, lands, goes into another cover, hooks the leg,
and Evans, again, able to kick out.
No decisions yet in this first five minutes
as, Book, take a look at the clock.
Sixty seconds from now, a new Superstar will enter this matchup.
And for Je'Von Evans, a Superstar who's gaining more experience
under the premium live event lights here tonight.
Swing and a miss. Evans goes behind.
-And oh, oh, oh. -[Booker] Whoa, whoa!
[Vic] Wes Lee able to shift his weight at the last moment.
Lee continuing to fight.
Little separation, goes back up, and this time gets overpowered.
Center of the ring.
Lee's left shoulder just getting off the mat.
[Booker] Tell you right now, Vic, I don't know if you see it,
but I could see the nervous jitters
in this kid Je'Von Evans here earlier in this matchup.
-Just like that, right there. -[Vic] Evans looking for the cutter.
Got caught, Evans realized it.
Lee trying to get Evans up and-- Oh!
Well, that was a stunner.
And that cutter didn't work either, nasty landing by Evans.
-[crowd counting] -[Vic] Lee into the cover,
Lee with his feet on the ropes!
-[Mike Rome] Wes Lee has scored a fall. -[crowd booing]
[Vic] And now Evans heads to the penalty box
-for 90 seconds. -[buzzer wailing]
[Vic] But there's the buzzer. And look who is now entering the match.
["Never Slow Down" playing]
[Booker] You agree with me though, right? You agree with me, right?
[Vic] I think this is going to be a very important time
for Evans to regroup himself. But here comes Nathan Frazer,
pulling double duty tonight. You ever do that in your career?
[Booker] Quick as a cat. Oh, yes, man. I've been there.
I mean, I'm talking about in the middle of that square circle two times.
You don't want that, Vic.
You don't want it because let me tell you, it saps you, it saps you.
Just like right there. This man, this man.
Nat-- Fra-- He's going. He's going up.
[Vic] He moved so fast, you couldn't even say his full name.
-[Booker] He's going up. This could be it. -[Vic] Frog splash!
-[Booker] That's it. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] Oh! [chuckling] That was close to being it.
Now, hold on a second. I want to remind everyone, too,
the winner of this match will face the NXT champion
at New Year's Evil. Trick, Ridge, still to come.
Take another look, look at the height. But more importantly, look at the landing.
[Booker] Nathan Frazer's coming out here trying to get a quick win real quick.
He knows what's on the line, Vic.
He knows he's only got so much in the tank
and he's got to do it, and he needs to do it quick.
Look at that, look at that. Beautiful work.
[Vic] Still has to defend the tag team titles
later tonight with Axiom against No Quarter Catch Crew.
And if you look at the bottom of your screen right now,
Je'Von Evans has 18 seconds left in the penalty box to our right.
Heads up by Frazer, and got caught with a rolling kick.
-[banging] -[Booker] Let me tell you something.
[Vic] Evans is ready by the way. He just shook our table
because that's how close we are to the penalty box.
Drop kick, drops Frazer.
Both Superstars are out and look who's back in the match.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, I mean, Je'Von Evans is back.
But I'ma tell you right now, Wes Lee is working on--
-[Vic] Holy crap! -[Booker] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
I was finna say working on another level.
But right now, he just got knocked the hell out. Wow!
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Vic] Young OG, looking to pick up his first decision.
-Oh, that is very smart by Wes Lee. -[Booker] So smart by Wes Lee.
Let me tell you something, Wes Lee has been strategizing
for this moment right here, Vic.
[Vic] You can strategize all you want.
How do you strategize for someone that is as bouncy as the Young OG?
-[Booker] No, what I'm saying is… -[Vic] Oh, got caught.
…he's put himself in the proper position to win this thing.
Wes Lee is looking to make history here at NXT,
becoming the greatest champion of NX--
-Here we go! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] And-- Well, Lee was looking to break up the count,
did more damage to Frazer.
Coming right back in. Goes up. Goes around.
Je'Von Evans, overpowering Wes Lee.
-Just yoked him. -[Booker] Wow.
-[Booker] You gotta be kidding me. -[crowd] One! Two!
-[Booker] I don't like this kid-- -[Vic] Oh! Still couldn't get him down.
[Booker] I don't like this kid using all these power moves.
He's zapping his energy, Vic. You see him holding his ribs right there.
[Vic] This is what comes back to the strategy we talked about, Booker.
And when it comes to strategy, you think about Nathan Frazer.
Should he be mindful of pacing himself
for that tag team championship matchup still to come?
[Booker] Definitely needs to be thinking about that.
Because he's got a hell of a hill to climb against the Catch Crew later tonight.
[Vic] Eight minutes into this matchup, two minutes away,
the fourth Superstar will come into the matchup.
Nasty fall for Wes Lee, but look at Frazer.
Looking for maybe a superplex, countered, stuck the landing.
-[Booker] The balance. -[Vic] Evans sticks the landing.
These two picking up the pace.
[Booker] Beautiful sling blade! Did that hit?
-He's going back to the penalty box. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Vic] And Evans, I don't think Evans can go back,
'cause think about the psyche of that.
If Evans were to be the first man to suffer two decisions
and have to go to the penalty box twice.
[Booker] Vic, he's a young kid right now. He's working on adrenaline factor alone
and that right there can sap him. I'm telling you, trust me.
I've been young in the middle of that ring before myself-- Here we go!
-[Vic] From behind, Evans! -[Booker] Here we go! So close.
[Vic] Frazer trying to take down Evans one more time. Again, another near fall.
Every second counts. Every decision so important.
Wes Lee, with the only one thus far,
he is the only one on the leaderboard with one.
As in 60 seconds, another Superstar will join this match.
And look at Evans!
[Vic] Evans landed right on Lee! And Lee countering Evans again.
-[crowd applauding] -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] I said what a way to kick off our first premium live event for NXT,
here in Minneapolis, an area so rich in history.
Mr. Perfect, X-Pac, Jesse "The Body" Ventura,
who returns next Saturday for Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC.
But Nathan Frazer breathing deep.
I wonder what's going through Axiom's mind right now.
He's got to be relieved that he didn't qualify
-for this match in some ways. -[Booker] Yes, indeed, right now.
Everybody's down, but…
And going back to your point, let's not forget Mr. Perfect.
[Vic] I said, it was the first person I said, was Mr. Perfect.
-[Booker] I didn't hear you say that. -[Vic] You never listen. Doesn't matter.
[Booker] I missed that one, I missed that one.
[Vic] It's 'cause you're so excited. You're pumped up. It might be the…
-[Booker] The scarf. -[Vic] Yeah, the scarf around your neck
right now, It might be hurting your hearing.
As all three of these Superstars on the outside,
and here comes the countdown.
[crowd counting]
[buzzer blaring]
-["With A Smile" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Ego ♪
[Vic] Is luck on his side?
[Booker] What I'm talking about. Business just picked up, Vic.
-[Vic] Think about this, Book. -[music concludes]
[Vic] Grayson Waller entered number four,
won the first Iron Survivor in 2022.
Trick entered number four last year on his way to winning.
And look who entered number four tonight. All Ego has to be smiling inside.
-Inside cradle! Inside cradle! -[crowd counting]
-[Vic] Yo! [laughs] -[Booker] What the hell?
You've gotta be kidding me.
[Mike Rome] Nathan Frazer has scored a fall.
[Vic] Oh, I don't mean to laugh. That was rude.
-[crowd cheering] -I'm not going in that box!
[indistinct shouting]
-I'm not going in that damn box! -Come on! Let's go, come on!
[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] And the 90 seconds begins as soon as Page exits, so finally.
-I'm not getting in the damn box! -You gotta get in.
You know the rules. Let's go.
-I'm not get-- -[crowd cheering]
[Vic laughing] That couldn't happen to a nicer guy, Book.
-[Booker chuckles] -[Vic] I mean, X-Pac did give him a--
Whoa, back in the ring! Back in the ring!
Oh, Lee almost got the second decision. But now it's Frazer, it's Lee.
They're both on the board.
Page is in the box for the next 60 seconds.
Frazer just rolled up Lee. Another near fall in this matchup.
Big kick from Je'Von Evans.
And the Young OG who's been in here since the start, drew number one,
needs a decision maybe just to help his psyche.
[Booker] Well right now it's just action personified
with these three young men right here, Vic.
Here we go. Look at Nathan Frazer.
-He's got action. -[Vic] Moves like a blur.
Strikes like a cobra. Took out two for one.
-Into the cover. -[crowd counting]
-[Booker] I tell you, Nathan Frazer. -[Vic] Well, Frazer
might be able to get another opportunity to cover Lee.
Decided to take a few breaths. High-impact offense from Frazer,
who, again, has to pace himself in this matchup.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Open this thing! Open this thing!
[Booker] If he's thinking about pacing himself,
he's already lost this matchup.
I can't think how he's going to pace himself
with more coming out, more bouts to have,
more fists to fight.
[Vic] So he should risk it all here
opposed to saving something for the tag title match.
[Booker] He's got to risk it all right now.
Tag Team Championship will happen when it comes.
But right now, you're thinking about destiny.
You're thinking about your history. You're thinking about your legacy.
That's what Nathan Frazer's thinking about right now.
-Beautiful. That's it, that's it. -[Vic] Buzzer sounded.
Page is out. And look at Ethan Page rolling right through.
-And he's right on top of Frazer. Oh! -[crowd counting, cheering]
[Mike Rome] Ethan Page has scored a fall.
[Booker] That's smart right there.
That's veteran knowledge. That's veteran experience right there.
[Vic] Oh, it's hard to argue with Ethan Page.
Eighteen years. He certainly has the experience factor.
And right into another cover, looking to pick up a quick two.
Lee able to kick out.
Also, by the way, Ethan Page, the only competitor involved
to have already been the NXT champion.
[Booker] He did it quickly too, you know what they say.
-[Vic] Fastest than anyone else. -[Booker] Knowledge is power.
Seventeen years in this business, he's gone all over the world.
He's won championships all over the world.
And right now he's looking to become two-time NXT Champion.
[Vic] And you see Je'Von Evans got caught again
-looking for that springboard. -[Booker] That's smart.
[Vic] In comes-- Ooh, Lee wiped out Ethan Page
and the two standing are the two men in the ring that started this matchup.
-Page-- Ooh. -[Ethan] Run!
Run! Run!
[Vic] Oh, Je'Von's not gonna like this.
-A little doomsday device! -[crowd cheering]
[Booker] My god, man. Wow!
[Vic] And in less than 90 seconds, we're going to find out who Ava selected…
to replace Eddy Thorpe.
We're less than 30 seconds away from Nathan Frazer
getting back into this matchup.
But I don't know how the hell Je'Von Evans was able to bounce back up
-because Evans is bouncy! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And man, that talk, Book, from X-Pac has propelled him
to push himself here tonight.
[Booker] That pat on the back, that adrenaline rush right there,
has had full effect for this young man. Here we go!
[Vic] Another Hall of Famer that helped him, RVD, would be smiling,
but he didn't get the three.
And there you see the buzzer. That is Nathan Frazer.
Frazer's out of the penalty box. All four men are now in this ring.
You see the scoreboard.
The only Superstar with no fall is Je'Von Evans.
And in less than 30 seconds,
that mystery fifth man will enter into this matchup.
[Booker] I tell you what. Ethan Page right now, he's on the board.
If I had to put my money on anybody in this matchup right now,
at this point, it's gonna be Ethan Page.
[Vic] Well, Page did tell Sports Illustrated this week
that he can adapt better than anyone, but all four men down,
and Booker, who can it be?
[crowd counting]
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Booker laughing] My god!
[Vic] Oba Femi is here.
[Booker laughs] Wow.
[Vic] And Femi's running, and he is planting.
First Je'Von Evans and Booker, I mean, how did the landscape just change?
[Booker] I got my money on Oba Femi now.
[Vic] Ava certainly found a replacement,
the longest reigning North American Champion in NXT history.
[Booker] Talking about dominant.
Talking about being a dominant champion as well.
[Vic] I mean, I'm almost in awe.
I can almost imagine what's going through the mind
of the four Superstars in this matchup as Evans got de-cleated.
And just like that, in less than 90 seconds…
[Mike Rome] Oba Femi has scored a fall.
[Vic] Oba picks up a decision, Evans to the penalty box again,
and now everyone's got a fall but Evans, who's going to have to sit
for the next 90 seconds.
[Booker] The hell is Ethan Page thinking?
[crowd clapping, chanting] Oba Femi! Oba Femi! Oba Femi!
[Booker] Man!
-[Vic] Devastating backbreaker. -[crowd counting]
[Vic] Ooh, Wes Lee just stopped any sort of momentum Oba Femi had, but now…
You know, I hate to say this, but how does Oba just get to walk
into this matchup?
I mean, I know he's the greatest North American Champion in history,
but I got to imagine what the other people in the locker room
are thinking right now as-- And holy hell!
[Booker] Wow. Let me tell you something. Oba Femi's stock--
-[crowd counting] -[Vic] Into the cover, and Frazer!
Frazer saw Oba Femi take the lead. And, Book,
if Oba Femi gets the lead, I don't think he's ever going to relinquish it.
[Booker] Oh man, let me tell you this.
North American champion Oba Femi's stock went way through the roof, man.
I'm talking about crypto-lite.
And right now, he's looking to go back to the top again.
Here we go. Here we-- ow!
[crowd] One, two…
-[referee] Whoa! -[crowd gasps]
What are you doing, Ethan? You can't pull me out like that.
-[both arguing indistinctly] -What are you doing?
Come on! No. You can't be pulling my leg like that. What are you doing?
-Come on. Get in the ring. -[Ethan] It's a tie-break. No, no, no.
I need to win. I need to win.
[Vic] Oba Femi has been wrecking the field.
-You listen to me. You listen to me. -No, no! I didn't do it on purpose.
-Your life. Your life. -Okay. No.
I didn't do it to you on purpose. It could have been anybody.
[Vic] Evans's 90 seconds is up. Evans can get back into this matchup.
Evans can't get out. Evans is stuck, Book.
[Booker] Let me tell you something. Oh man!
[Vic] Evans is stuck, but Oba Femi is beating
the hell out of everybody. Femi into the post.
-[Booker] Oh, baby! -[Vic] What? Je'Von.
[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] You talk about pushing yourself to the limit.
That's what he's doing.
[Booker laughs] By any means necessary.
[Vic] Keep your foot on the gas, Young OG. Cutter.
[Booker] That could be it. He's got-- He's on the board!
[Vic] We are tied across the board.
[Mike Rome] Je'Von Evans has scored a fall.
[Vic] Evans is shocked,
but this is what Je'Von Evans needed to do.
Wes Lee now goes to the penalty box for the next ninety seconds.
And I'm still a little bit stunned.
Take another look. This was right over our heads. But back to the live action.
I don't think this is a staredown Je'Von Evans thought he would have here
on the final WWE Premium live event of the year.
[Booker] Stop playing it up like that, Vic.
I don't like the looks of this, but this young man,
this is his time to show us what he got. Here we go.
Here we go, Young OG. Let's bounce.
[Vic] Evans right now swinging,
and this goes back to what you said about ten minutes ago.
Je'Von Evans was laying a lot on the line,
using a lot of power moves early on in this matchup.
Wasn't quite pacing himself.
Someone who doesn't give a damn about the pace at this point
is Nathan Frazer, and now they're trying to team up,
and this is smart strategy.
[Booker] Smart as it can be, but I'm gonna tell you right now,
Oba Femi is a monster, Vic. He's a monster.
You do not wanna unleash that beast in this young man.
[Vic] And I want to point out, Wes Lee has 30 seconds left.
The clock right now is approaching and it has hit 20 minutes.
There's only five minutes left in this matchup.
We're all tied at one.
And as the seconds now tick off the clock, scoreboard watching, strategy,
finesse, it's all about to take shape as we're going to find out
who is going to be this year's Men's Iron Survivor.
[Booker] I tell you, it may not take but just one more pinfall
about one of these men to actually be that number one contender.
[Vic] And now all five men are in this matchup.
Wes Lee's out of the penalty box and looking to strike.
[Wes Lee] Get him!
[Vic] And this is what they need to do, Book.
They need to team up. They need to conquer Oba Femi.
And Wes Lee said, there's nobody in this match
that is willing to go the lengths that he is willing to go.
-I think we're probably wrapped. -[Booker] Wow.
I don't like this strategy, Vic. I don't like this strategy at all.
You get rid of Oba Femi, you're still gonna have to fight each other.
[Vic] Oba Femi overpowering everyone.
Whoa, whoa, Page, Page! Ethan Page from behind!
Page! Oh my!
[Mike Rome] Ethan Page has scored a fall.
[Booker] That could be it right there, Vic.
[Vic] Ethan Page like a snake in tall grass.
[Booker] That could be the big fall to clinch this whole thing.
Oba Femi's now going to the penalty box.
I don't think anybody's going to get another pinfall in this matchup.
[Vic] Well, look at the clock, Booker. It's less than three and a half minutes,
and Ethan Page… It's that experience factor, is it not?
-[Booker] Oh, wait a minute. -[Vic] He fell into the cut!
-[crowd] One two… -[Vic] This is how he won the NXT title!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Vic] Crucifix! Crucifix! Je'Von Evans!
[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Mike Rome] Je'Von Evans has scored a fall.
[Vic] It's two-two!
And now Ethan Page… [laughs] I don't mean to laugh.
-He's gotta get in the box with Oba! -[Booker] We got three minutes left.
-[Vic] Get your ass in the box, Page! -[Booker] We got three minutes left, guys!
Grab him! Bring him!
[Vic] Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
[Booker] Can two guys get in at the same time?
-You know the rules. -I don't wanna--
-You gotta go! Come on! -No! No! No!
-[Vic] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
Booker, you got the best seat in the house!
[Booker] Yes indeed.
-[Ethan] Let me out! -What you doing?
[Vic] Oba's got Ethan Page for 20 more seconds. Hey, hey, hey hey!
[sobbing]
[Booker] If this was me, looks like he's gone from pillar to post.
[Vic] Let me enjoy this next few seconds.
[referee] Come on, Oba. That's your time.
[Vic] Well, Oba is now technically back into the matchup,
and trying to meet him was Frazer.
[Booker] Got less than two minutes, Vic.
[Vic] And Page has 30 more seconds left. Big kick from Lee.
And look back at the scoreboard. Page, Evans.
They are the two Superstars who are in the lead right now.
Two decisions apiece. Fifteen seconds left for Page.
And, ooh! Nasty landing by Lee.
And the clock now is what we brought up earlier.
The clock is going to be important.
Because now there's only 90 seconds left in this matchup.
And Evans has to hold on. Page is trying to hold on.
The door just opened. Page is back in this matchup.
Well, actually, Page isn't back in the matchup.
He's still knocked out. Oh!
Evans may be too, and those are the two leaders, Book,
as we're inside the final almost 60 seconds, and right now,
Page, Evans trying to hold on, but they can't get to their feet.
Frazer, Lee, they gotta get a decision, just like Oba Femi, to tie this up,
and we have now less than 55 seconds in this matchup,
and the clock is becoming the enemy now for these three Superstars.
[Booker] You gotta do it quick, Wes!
[Vic] Lee trying to jump on the back. Frazer coming in as well.
I'm trying to peek over at Evans. Page isn't even moving.
And the bodies right now scattered all over the Armory here in Minneapolis
as we're inside the final now thirty seconds of this matchup.
Evans and Page, they got the most decisions.
Time is the factor now, Book.
The sand is running out of the dial for these Superstars.
There's 20 seconds left for these three. Double chokeslam!
[Booker] Oh, wait a minute.
-[Vic] Double chokeslam by Oba. -[crowd] One,
-two, three! -[Vic] Double cover.
And holy, just like that, Oba Femi.
[Mike Rome] Oba Femi has scored two falls!
[Vic] Femi's the leader.
-[Booker] You gotta be kidding me, man. -[Vic] Femi's at three.
There's only five seconds. Cutter by Evans.
-[Booker] Cover him. Cover him. -[Vic] Cover him, Evans.
-And he's going to run out of time. -[bell ringing]
["Hands Of Fate" playing]
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner and the new number one contender
to the NXT Championship,
Oba Femi.
[Vic] Bloodied, beaten, battered.
These five pushed each other and the time to the limit.
But Oba Femi,
who is our general manager's Ava's replacement for Eddie Thorpe,
conquers the field at Deadline.
You know, and it was right off rip when he came into the matchup.
Everybody was shocked. Everybody was floored.
Evans was literally floored in that moment.
That would be Oba Femi's first decision. We'd come down to the wire.
Oba was down one fall, as was Lee and Frazer.
Oba Femi gets two decisions off that double choke slam.
Je'Von Evans did his best.
He hit that cutter. But with less than ten seconds to go,
by the time Evans was able to get over to Femi, the time had run out.
And you are looking at Oba Femi.
[Oba cheers]
[Vic] You are looking at the ruler of NXT.
And we are all now looking at the Men's Iron Survivor.
[Oba] Williams!
Come on! Williams, where are you?
[music concludes]
[sighs heavily] I didn't qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge.
I'm not even on the Deadline card.
But yet here I am in freezing cold Minneapolis.
Why are you here, King? What are you doing here?
I'm here because this city has a place in my heart.
Not a special place, not a feel-good one, but a pit in the bottom of my heart.
Because this is the place,
this is the city where my life would change forever.
[inhales shakily] This is the place where I would be left out
on the side of the road in the freezing cold. [exhales shakily]
With no one to look up to for guidance, no role models to speak up.
Yet here I am all these years later.
You probably think I'm chasing ghosts, but I'm not. I'm doing the opposite!
I'm trying to prove to everyone, each and every day, that I wake up,
that I'm not the same. I'm different!
And I'm gonna exceed beyond anything he ever did!
[inhales, exhales sharply]
[snuffles, smacks lips] But yet now I struggle more than ever.
I struggle to change this perception about myself.
I struggle more than I ever did growing up alone.
But you know what? It's a fight worth fighting for.
It's worth it to be out here, and feel that cold chill on my skin.
[breathes sharply]
Because nothing feels better than that warm air of satisfaction.
[inhales]
["Here We Go Again" playing]
[Vic] Well, challengers getting ready for their first championship opportunity
of their careers at, of course, Bourne, Heights.
Wren Sinclair also in the Women's Iron Survivor later tonight.
Big night for the No Quarter Catch Crew.
But there is Zaria, who's getting ready for battle.
Women's Iron Survivor Challenge still to come live here on Deadline!
[Vic] But we are getting ready for another battle
that is about to take place here in a few moments because, Book,
we are gonna head to the Underground.
♪ Welcome to the underground Where the weak don't survive… ♪
[Vic] And there you see a special group of spectators,
members of the WWE Universe that waited in line all day
to get the opportunity to get up close and personal
with this upcoming matchup here at Deadline.
[crowd jeering]
[Vic] And Book, we are ready to head to the unpredictable Underground
as Lola looks to knock out Miss Parker,
who's looking to make it two straight over Lola Vice.
[Booker] Let's F-ing go, man.
[dramatic music playing]
[Mike Rome] The following contest is a Tag Team match.
Introducing first, Jaida Parker!
[Jaida] For those of you who haven't caught up to the hype yet,
allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Jaida Parker.
I ain't scared of the spotlight.
I played at LSU in front of thousands and thousands of fans.
I was on the U.S. U-17 Women's National Team for soccer.
So, nah, I'm not a soccer player that became a WWE Superstar.
I am a WWE Superstar who used to play soccer.
I am confident, I am cocky. I say what's on my mind all the time.
And when that money is in the middle, Jaida Parker is always on point.
[Vic] This era of NXT may be running through Miss Parker.
[Mike Rome] And her Tag Team partner, Lola Vice!
[Lola] Just because I shake my ass doesn't mean I can't kick your ass!
I was a fighter before I was even born.
My mother was pregnant with me during her black belt test.
I then went on and became a 4th Degree Master in Taekwondo.
And that's where I was already fighting in Madison Square Garden!
I am the complete package.
I've got knockout power in my hands and feet,
and I look hot doing it.
I'm gonna be the greatest Superstar to cross over from MMA to the WWE.
No one, nadie, can handle Lola Vice!
[Vic] This could be the turning point of this matchup.
Lola Vice desperately needs to make the tag.
That's Jazmyn makes it all! Fallon just ran into Lola.
[indistinct shouting]
[Vic] And Lola Vice now left alone, Jaida Parker gone.
And now, it's a little two for one!
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Lola] What the hell was that, huh? What the hell was that?
I kicked your goofy ass, that's--
[Vic] These two women are willing to destroy themselves
-in order to silence the other. -[crowd jeering]
[Lola] Jaida Parker, this isn't over!
[Vic] First ever Women's Hardcore Match on NXT.
[Lola] Now I get to release my full arsenal of MMA strikes
and submissions on you.
I get to beat that ass with no regulations.
[Jaida] You can use your little MMA skills, but baby,
I can use any weapon I can get my hands on.
-[Vic] Is that a brick? -[Booker] Oh!
-[Vic] Jaida Parker, victorious. -[bell ringing]
This isn't over. You and I are going Underground!
You want this Underground match? I'm gonna give you what you want!
[Lola] Miss Parker…
your ego just did me the biggest favor, because this is my world,
and you don't know nothing about it.
No ropes, no pins.
[Vic] The only way to win, knockout, TKO, or submission.
And this time, you ain't got that brick,
so I'm gonna knock your ass out!
I don't need it.
-[music concludes] -[crowd cheering]
["Here We Go Again" playing]
♪ Here we go, here we go Here we go again… ♪
[crowd jeering]
["Te Lo Rompo" playing]
♪ Uno, dos, tres, cuatro ♪
♪ If you wanna come get it I hit heavy ♪
♪ What's your name, you forget it Call the medic ♪
♪ Soy la que mando… ♪
[Vic] Lola Vice…
a Superstar who lets her fist do the talking.
You said on your radio show, Booker, correct me if I'm wrong here,
this was the match,
this was the fight you were looking forward to the most.
[Booker] You ain't lying, man, I mean, Lola Vice, very technical,
has a lot of skill, but let me tell you right now,
Jaida Parker, she's a fighter, man.
And when I say a fighter, she's a street fighter.
Anything goes, man.
[Vic] This just the third women's Underground Match in NXT history.
[crowd member] Let's go!
-["About That Time" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Gotta throw the bands Now, I'm 'bout to buy a chain ♪
♪ Gotta light up when we do it ♪
♪ Gotta throw the bands Now, I'm 'bout to buy a chain… ♪
[Vic] And a little uncharacteristic for Jaida Parker.
She knows she's in for a fight. She's got her hands, her fists taped up.
She was ready to square up Tuesday at NXT,
proved it by knocking Lola Vice out.
And Booker, the rules of this matchup are very, very simple.
Let's take a look at it, because our referee in the matchup,
Adrian Butler, is only there to see if someone gets knocked out,
they tap out, or he's got to stop this fight.
No counts, no pinfalls. Someone is gonna go to sleep,
or someone is gonna get knocked out here tonight.
[Booker] Yes, indeed.
[Vic] Let's go up to Mike Rome with the introductions.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Mike Rome] The following is the NXT
-Underground Match! -[crowd cheering]
In this match, the only way to win is by knockout or submission.
Introducing first, from Miami, Florida,
-Lola Vice! -[crowd cheering]
And her opponent, from Port St. Lucie, Florida,
-Jaida Parker! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Talk about that knockout this past Tuesday,
let's not forget it was Lola Vice who cost Parker on Tuesday
that last chance Fatal 4-Way,
and that brings us to the here, to the now,
-inside, Underground. -[bell ringing]
[Vic] And there we go! Right off rip. Down goes Parker! Down goes Parker!
And there goes Lola Vice, throwing rights, throwing lefts!
[Booker] Yes, it ain't gonna be no sneak attack tonight.
I'm gonna tell you right now. Lola Vice said, "You can't steal me tonight."
-[Vic] Oh! -[crowd] Oh!
-[Booker] Big shots! Big shots! -[Vic] Nice drop by Parker, and of course,
Underground the home of sorts for Lola Vice, former MMA fighter,
professional record of 4-1.
But she is getting dragged right now by Jaida Parker.
I mean, why would you challenge Lola Vice to this sort of matchup?
-As Parker spills to the floor! -[Booker] Yeah.
Because you're looking to test yourself.
You're looking to push yourself, to be the best here at NXT.
Oh, baby! We going on a ride tonight, Vic!
[Vic] Oh!
Spine first into the steel, and again, Parker…
Referee's only here to do one thing, to see someone quit or go to sleep.
[Booker] Look, technical ability is gonna go to Lola Vice,
but I'm gonna tell you right now,
Jaida Parker has a strength and size advantage in this matchup.
-[Jaida] Get up! -[Vic] I wonder how many nights
Lola Vice thought about Parker smashing her in the face with a brick.
[Booker] Talking about queen of the underground right there
and Lola Vice, the queen of mean, right now she's being ragtagged, Vic.
I love it, man!
[Vic] Series of big body slams from Jaida Parker,
and simply put, Booker, these two do not like each other.
[Booker] It's all about competition, Vic. It's all about competition.
They shouldn't like each other. That what this business has been built on.
[Vic] Well, I don't know if Lola's trying to look for a submission.
-Lock it in a triangle! -[Booker] Oh baby!
[Vic] Nice job shifting her weight to bring Parker back down.
Parker now is in trouble. And look at Parker,
trying to throw some hammer fist to break this hold in some way,
but Vice with that fighting background able to get that left arm up
-to have some sort of protection. -[crowd jeering]
[Booker] Lola blocking it very very well and right now, like I said,
the strength factor just came into play, Vic.
[Vic] I don't wanna take anything away, by the way, from Jaida Parker.
She's won street fights.
She won that Hardcore match this past year,
again, smashing that brick into the face of Lola Vice.
And now, look at Vice with a combination offense,
buckling the knees, that kick to the ribs.
Parker's in trouble. Having trouble breathing.
And Vice staying right on top of the fight.
[Booker] That's that technical ability, that's that taekwondo coming into play.
Let me tell you, Lola Vice, she came in with the g…
-[Vic] Oh! Good night! -…and the black belt for intimidation,
but it did not work, Vic.
[Vic] What an elbow! What an elbow, Booker!
[Booker] Big shot, Vic. Back elbow, shades of Jon "Bones" Jones right there, Vic.
[Vic] Now, look again. Right now, it's now Parker who's on top.
It caught one straight right from Lola Vice.
But take another look at this elbow. Brutal. Bam! Right under the jaw.
And those that have waited all day around ringside, they are fired up.
And another submission, possibly maybe an ankle lock, Booker.
I don't know if you can get a look at it right now.
[Booker] That is an ankle lock, but I'm gonna tell you, that big shot,
you would have thought it would have put Lola Vice down.
Shows the resilience of this young lady.
[Vic] No rope breaks here for Jaida Parker.
Again, is she gonna tap out?
The referee, Adrian Butler, in great position.
-[crowd jeering] -[Vic] Trying to look around.
Those here, ringside, get a better look in the ring at this moment.
Again, no ropes, no rope break. Parker screaming in pain.
-[crowd jeering] -[Jaida] No! [groans]
[Vic] Agonizing is Parker, trying to crawl,
because this is cinched in. Parker got somebody.
-[Jaida groans] -[Booker cackles]
[Vic] Oh, Lola Vice don't give a damn.
She don't care tonight. And again with the kick.
Again with those strikes.
You gave her the-- the nod, so to speak, in the striking department.
-[Lola grunts] -[Vic] It-- Oof!
[Booker] Momentum shifted right now, Vic. Lola Vice right now, she's second wind.
She's out of her element right now, as well,
with Lola Vice being so technical with those educated hands.
-[Jaida exclaims] -[Vic] Oh!
-[crowd] Oh! -[Jaida groans]
[crowd jeering]
[Vic] And, Booker, did you just feel the hush come over the Armory
here from the NXT Universe?
-[Lola grunts] -[Booker] Vic, did you hear the sound
as she hit that post?
[Vic] Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's listen to this.
-[Jaida exclaims, groans] -[crowd] Oh!
[Vic] And Parker charging in, and that was the hypnotic to the hand
that was wrapped around the steel that's underneath the ring.
And you-- We talked about the striking ability.
How can she strike one hand?
I mean, is that hand gonna go numb at any point?
I mean, that hand could be broken. Those fingers could be cracked.
[Booker] Lola Vice better hope she get her adrenaline rush
'cause right now she's in dire straits,
and right now, Jaida Parker is taking advantage of it, Vic.
-[crowd clamor] -[Booker] Big time.
[Vic] Lola trying to fight with the off hand,
and nice job, look at Parker now.
Got a great bind around the right arm,
the right hand, raining down elbows into the side of the face.
Parker now…
taking off the glove of Lola Vice. That right hand certainly is exposed.
No padding, no help.
Oh, insult to injury. Parker's putting the glove on.
[Booker] Oh, baby.
[Vic] Is this why you were giddy like a kid on Christmas all week for this?
[Booker] Oh, we 'bout to get busy. Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] You've been waiting for these two to simply just throw hands.
[Booker] You know what, I love to see women fight at a high level, Vic.
That's what this is, a high level competition.
Talk about throwing hands. Big time!
[Vic] Going to the body right now is Lola Vice.
Vice with that glove.
Or excuse me, Jaida Parker to the body of Lola Vice.
Big right hand into the jaw of Vice. Vice is rocked. Vice is down.
Parker, though, limping from the effects of that ankle lock.
She's now on top of Lola. Lola trying to do her best.
But think about the damage to the right hand.
She's trying to block with possibly a broken right hand, Booker.
[Booker] Yes indeed. Right now, Jaida Parker, she's got the glove.
It ain't so fun when the rabbit got the gun.
[Vic] And we talked about Lola's black belt in Taekwondo.
I know she's tough.
I know Jaida Parker is as tough as they come.
She loves to scrap.
We are certainly going to find out a lot about these two women.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] Oh, that's the black belt you were talking about, Booker.
And this truly…
Talking to Lola Vice, this is the ultimate sign
of disrespect in Taekwondo.
[Booker] This is insult to injury right here, Vic. This is insult to injury.
-Right now, I'm gonna show you… -[Vic] Oh, again!
[Booker] …that karate don't mean nothing in this world.
That's what I'm talking about!
[Vic] Think about the right shoulder, Booker,
that is bending with her force around that post.
Jaida Parker now is systematically dissecting
-Lola Vice in front of the world. -[Booker] Vic, this is legal.
[Vic] It is legal, and the referee is only there
for Lola to get knocked out or to say right now, she quits.
-[wrestlers grunting] -[crowd clamor]
[Vic] And you can hear her screaming, and Lola Vice's father,
who is the highest ranked Hispanic black belt in the world,
can only imagine what he's thinking
and saying right now watching his daughter
suffer through this pain.
See the disrespect from Jaida Parker,
because right now is a pivotal point in this matchup for both these women.
-[crowd chanting] Lola Vice! Lola Vice! -[Booker] Dad can't help right now, Vic.
[Vic] Do you hear those around the ring chanting for Lola Vice?
Jaida Parker hoisting up Vice.
Lola sliding down. And-- Oh, using the black belt now.
To the throat.
And as you mentioned, Booker, it's all legal.
[Booker] Beautiful shot!
Right now, Lola's blocking out all the noise, Vic.
You talking about the people chanting her name.
That's the last thing she needs.
She needs to think about the job, the task at hand,
and that is Jaida Parker. Big shots, man!
[Vic] Air driven right out of the lungs of Lola Vice.
And now…
what's on the mind of Jaida Parker in this underground match?
[Booker] Taking it to the street, Vic. That's what this thing is all about.
Jaida Parker is not thinking about being technical.
Jaida Parker is thinking about hurting Lola Vice permanently.
-Oh, baby. You can see it. -[crowd] Lola! Get up, Lola!
-[Vic] Oh, Booker. -[Booker] She's in the drop zone, Vic.
[Vic] Ooh! Right out of the steel steps, that teardrop.
[Booker] You ain't lying, it was a teardrop.
[crowd chanting] NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT. NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT, NXT.
[Vic] NXT Universe trying to rally Lola Vice
in this underground matchup.
And… again, there's no pinfall, Booker.
-You got to knock her out or have her tap. -[Booker] I get it. I get it.
I mean, right now the thought process gonna be getting a little bit lax
the later the match goes,
but right now still just keeping the hammer down is Jaida Parker.
[crowd chanting] Knock her out! Knock her out! Knock her out!
[Vic] Now to the lower back.
And Parker continuing to focus on that damaged right hand,
and now, Jaida Parker is sitting down in this submission on Lola Vice.
And Lola doing anything she can to navigate her way free,
able to take one leg out and now is back on top.
[Booker] Such a bad position that Lola Vice got out of right there.
Right now just put Jaida Parker in a bad position herself.
Like that. That rear naked choke is locked in, and it's locked in deep.
[Vic] Trying to put Parker to sleep, but look at Parker's face.
And determination!
Just shifting weight and shifting the momentum of this matchup.
[Booker] Jaida Parker had about three seconds
before she went to sleep right there, Vic.
Hell of a job getting out of that rear naked.
-Oh, yes. Brick City, Brick City, man! -[crowd clamor]
[Vic] There's that forementioned brick from South Philly.
Oh, big kick!
And with one hand, one hand hammer fist, Lola Vice now.
Locking in another submission.
That rear naked choke, floating her back around.
Is Jaida able to put her hand, get her fingers in between the arms?
[Booker] With that injured hand right there, Vic,
she's doing a hell of a job.
[Vic] Parker reaching for the brick. Look at Vice kicking the brick away.
Continuing to cinch in is Vice.
Vice now flipping right around, looking for a suplex.
And not only got the suplex,
but created distance between Parker and the brick.
[Booker] That was smart right there because that right hand is dead, Vic.
That right hand is dead right now.
-[Vic] Whoa! -[Booker] Wow.
Beautiful belly back.
[Vic] What is it going to take? Back fist!
With that injured hand.
[Booker] I don't think she's got all of it, Vic.
[Vic] Well, she's certainly got enough of it to put Parker down.
And now I think she realized that. Rolling right in.
Locking in an anaconda submission.
-Squeezing. -[Booker] That's it, Vic.
[Vic] Squeezing Lola.
-[bell ringing] -[Vic] Lola squeezed.
-The referee had to stop the match. -[Booker] Man.
-[Vic] The referee had to step in. -[Booker] Wow.
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner by submission, Lola Vice.
Vice just put Parker to sleep.
[Vic] Well, we almost had a flashback to South Philly.
Lola wasn't having any of that.
Bam! That backfist, but remember that injured hand.
As you pointed out, Lola didn't get all of it.
She locks in this anaconda-like submission.
Parker gets put to sleep.
What a feeling it must be
for Lola Vice, who remains undefeated in this matchup.
And Lola remains the Queen of the Underground.
[Vic] We are live in Minneapolis, home of the Vikings,
the Twins, and the Wild.
And tonight, the home of Deadline and the Iron Survivor Challenge.
All we saw earlier tonight,
the men's Iron Survivor was won by Oba Femi.
There is the Dark Angel, she is ready.
Will she be the Iron Survivor?
Well, we'll find out later tonight.
-Hey, amigo. -[Axiom] There you are, are you all right?
Uh, just getting taped, and…
-Oba, dude. What the hell? -[Axiom] It's fine.
Hey, Nathan, just breathe, okay? We will be fine.
Look at me, look at me.
I'll do the heavy lifting, just do whatever you can.
We're the best tag team in the world, all right?
Hey, hey. We got this, amigo.
-[Axiom] Venga, vamos! -Vamos.
[Vic] Well, looks like Axiom is gonna need to carry the team.
Both better be ready and focused, because the challengers
are ready for the biggest opportunity of their careers.
I think the two of you would be incredible additions
to SmackDown Roster. I think they'd be great
as individual competitors.
Because this whole tag thing, lad, that ain't lasting.
[Vic] Oh, a miscommunication. We've seen this in the past.
We're kicking each other in the face, and we're still the best tag team
-in the world. -Yes, we are!
[Vic] Axiom has been a little annoyed, it seems, at times with Frazer.
-Don't be a puppet. -I'm not! I'm out.
[Booker] Axiom and Nathan Frazer,
no matter what kind of friction they always been going through,
they've always been able to pull it together.
[Vic] A defining moment for the NXT Tag Team champions,
Axiom and Frazer.
[indistinct chatter]
All right, gentlemen, I've invited you all here
to discuss the state of the NXT Tag Team division.
Recently, Nathan and Axiom retained their tag titles,
but I'm looking for the next team to step up.
I need every man in here to show the world
exactly what the NXT Tag Team Division is about.
[Vic] Watch out, Book!
[Booker] Oh, I love it! A fight!
[Vic] Ava issued the challenge for all these teams to step up.
They sure as hell are. This is chaos.
The Tag Team division wasting no time
meeting our general manager Ava's deadline!
I told all the tag teams I needed them to step up,
show me who wanted it the most, and clearly that's ended in chaos.
So there's going to be a Tag Team Battle Royal.
Whoever wins faces you guys for your titles at Deadline.
[Mike Rome] The following is the number one contenders,
Tag Team Battle Royal!
[Vic] Well, the champions have a close eye on this matchup.
Who's headed to Deadline?
Who's going to be the number one contenders for the tag titles?
[Booker] Yeah, all these tag teams, they're hungry.
The opportunity of a lifetime to go to Deadline for that grand prize.
[Vic] The Mighty are starting to fall.
Who is going to win the Tag Team Battle Royal?
-[Vic] Borne! Wait a minute. -[Booker] It's over.
[Mike Rome] Here are your winners, No Quarter Catch Crew.
No one thought we were gonna win tonight, but look what happened.
[Tavion] Now we're gonna help Axiom and Nathan focus on singles gold
by bringing back those tag titles.
[Vic] For Borne and Heights, they have earned the opportunity now.
NQCC will face Axiom and Frazer for the NXT Tag Team titles
at Deadline.
[Vic] Could be a monster night for the No Quarter Catch Crew,
and it all starts right now.
[Booker] I like the move this kid, Tavion Heights, Myles Borne,
has made to join the NQCC. Onward and upward, man!
Checks and championships, baby! I love that.
[Vic] You gotta wonder, Charlie Dempsey must feel very confident
in the challengers as he also has another member
of the No Quarter Catch Crew, Ren Sinclair, who has an opportunity
tonight to become the Women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
He must have gone back and is going to do a little bit more strategizing with her
because it's going to take a lot of strategy later tonight
in that Women's Iron Survivor match.
[Booker] What a difference a day can make.
Look at this kid, Myles Borne. The growth! Wow.
-["Never Slow Down" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
♪ Never slow down! ♪
[Vic] And here come the champions.
One who's already competed tonight, you can see,
is feeling the effects of the way we kicked off the night.
Would you be annoyed if you were Axiom?
-Honestly, would you be annoyed? -[Booker] You know, a little bit.
[Vic] He has to carry more weight tonight.
[Booker] Just a little bit.
But I'm gonna tell you right now, they can't change a thing.
They can't change a thing, 'cause I'ma tell you right now,
NQCC is gonna spot it, and exploit it immediately.
[Vic] Well, Frazer has been cantankerous at times
with his stubborn attitude towards what he can and cannot do.
Axiom tonight is gonna put the weight of the Tag Team champions
on his shoulders.
[Booker] If you ask me, I'm gonna put myself on the line
before trying to do double duty with Rick Martel every Saturday.
-Worst day of my career. -[Vic chuckles]
[bell ringing]
[Mike Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Introducing the challengers, representing No Quarter Catch Crew,
Myles Borne and Tavion Heights!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And their opponents,
they are the NXT Tag Team champions,
-Axiom and Nathan Frazer! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
Book, I kinda hinted at this earlier in Frazer's first match,
and about pacing himself,
-so, let me flip it around here. -[Booker] Yeah.
[Vic] How should the champions handle Frazer's workload now
in this match-up? I mean, take a look at him.
His ribs are bandaged. His nose is stuffed. I--
He's not at 100%.
[Booker] I mean, you heard Axiom say he's gonna pull all the weight.
I'm gonna tell you right now,
-that's not gonna work. -[bell ringing]
[Booker] They can do something that better be subtle,
because like I said, NQCC has been studying,
has been training for this moment, and you know, you know they're ready.
You know they're ready for it.
[Vic] No, I don't know if Frazer is necessarily ready for this.
He said he's good. He's ready to start.
And it was last year at Deadline that Axiom and Frazer faced each other.
And that's where they decided to join forces.
From the Countdown show last year to defending the titles here tonight,
even wearing the same gear to remember that night
that brought them together.
[Booker] That's not gonna help him. That's not gonna help him. You know what?
-How proud do you think… -[Vic] Ooh!
…Charlie Dempsey is right now of this team that he's put together?
[Vic] I'm sure-- Well…
I'm sure he's smiling.
Well, I think he realized maybe he's not necessarily ready.
He made the tag, and Axiom coming in. Tavion Heights is gonna check in as well.
And I think you would agree,
as this match-up is still in its early stages,
the Tag Team Division has been turning heads in NXT.
[Booker] Right now, the Tag Team Division is uber hot.
No one is as hot as this team right here, NQCC.
They earned this spot, Vic. They fought to get to this spot.
And you know who's on point? That kid, Myles Borne.
He did it. He did it well.
[Vic] I don't know if Axiom wants to get into a grappling session
-with the Olympian. -[Booker] Oh, baby!
I'm talking about speed.
-[Vic] Axiom holding his own, no? -[Booker] Oh, he's holding.
-He's definitely holding his own. -[Vic] He certainly is right now.
And I don't know if Tavion Heights expected that, and…
[Booker] Vic, this is strategy, this is strategy.
Tavion trying to blow up Axiom right now,
trying to make him use all the air in his lungs.
Well, they know Nathan Frazer is not 100%.
-[Booker] Whoa! Whoa! -[Vic] To cover!
-And look at that leg! -[Booker] Wow.
[Vic] Was positioned behind the right knee of Tavion Heights,
and Heights is so strong he was still able to power out
at the last moment.
And Frazer a little bit hesitant, not ready for a tag quite yet,
-and that now opens the door… -[Booker exclaims]
-…for the No Quarter Catch Crew. -[Booker] I don't understand.
Tavion Heights, he's an Olympic-caliber athlete,
and this kid has an abundance of talent, and right now, he just falls.
[Vic] Into the cover, kick out, but take another look at the power…
-[Booker] See that? -…of Tavion Heights.
[Booker] Beautiful work there by Tavion.
Like you said, that trip to Japan definitely put
that dirt on him that he needed, Vic.
[Vic] We talked about the Tag Team Division.
Ava has to be watching this match-up very closely.
Sixteenth defense of the tag team titles,
won five different championship reigns this year.
And Sam Roberts on Countdown to Deadline
said a fractured Fraxiom is when they are their best.
But right now, it seems that Axiom needs to be at his best in this match-up.
It's almost a glorified handicap match as finally Frazer wants in.
He made the tag,
but look, every time he moves, he's in pain.
[Booker] Vic, did you say "fractured"?
[Vic] That's what Sam Roberts said, and whoa, picking up speed!
-But even that kick… -[Booker] Yeah.
…looking up from our monitors, Frazer having trouble breathing,
-grabbing the back of his ribs. -[Booker] Oh, baby!
-[Vic] On OTM, Nima, Price… -[Booker] Get out the mud, dog!
…they certainly aren't very happy after what they just saw happen…
[Nima] Now, what y'all gonna do with this?
-…to Jaida Parker. -[Nima] What y'all gonna do with this?
[Vic] And a closer look at those tag team titles.
[Booker] You talking about that Tag Team Division?
[Vic] Yep, tag.
[Booker] Everybody wants a piece of the action, man!
[Vic] Certainly. Then there's Tavion Heights
checking back in it. You kind of hit on this,
but how good of a decision was it by Charlie Dempsey
to send Tavion Heights to Japan?
[Booker] Oh, man, I talk about that experience
to the land of the rising sun, that invaluable experience that you get.
I suggest every young talent take that journey at least once.
[Vic] Well, Heights just took a journey right in front of OTM.
And Axiom now, big drop kick, rocking Borne to the outside as well.
[Booker] Nathan Frazer,
he's a little battered right now, there, Vic.
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker] Oh, baby!
[Vic] But he's still not slowing down, and neither is Axiom.
Tag team titles on the line, and oh.
[Axiom] Nathan!
-[Vic] Frazer again, taking a spill in… -[Booker exclaims]
[Vic] Book, this isn't good for the champions.
I mean, I know I'm not opening Pandora's box here.
-[Tavion] We earned this! -[Nima] All right, what y'all gonna do?
[Vic] But Frazer, back up, got caught again, and whoa!
Overhead, belly to belly toss by that man.
And he has been a different breed since that trip to Japan.
[Booker] Oh, Vic. Like I said, right now he's ready.
He's in optimal position right now to move to that next level
and I love it, man.
[overlapping shouts]
[Vic] A little bit of chaos out here, which is the norm
for the tag team division.
Some of our extra officials-- But look at Tavion Heights,
right on top of Nathan Frazer, who is legal, who is not at 100%.
And you know as well as I do that these two and Charlie Dempsey
watched Nathan Frazer
and what he went through to start the night.
And the gears have had to have been rolling
in Charlie Dempsey's mind. Heritage Cup champion is always thinking.
-Big slam into the cover for the title. -[referee] One, two…
-[Vic] Frazer right shoulder up. -[Booker] That was a huge snap house play
right there by Myles Borne. Like I said, this kid, Vic,
this kid made the best decision of his life joining the NQCC.
Talk about going straight to the top. Talking about championship.
Talking about gold around his waist.
You gotta look… Just look at the eyes. Look at the attitude.
Well, I'm looking at this headlock right now
and also that body, his weight on the back, on the ribs,
not allowing Nathan Frazer to breathe.
[Booker] He's just leaning on Nathan Frazer right now.
Just keeping him really close to the body, baby.
You gotta love it, man.
[Vic] Biggest opportunity in the careers of Heights and Borne to this point,
we'll see if they can rise to the occasion,
but they are certainly in control right now,
and we could be on the verge of new tag team champions here at NXT,
the first of two championship matches here at Deadline.
[Booker] Nathan Frazer looked lackadaisical right now.
-I know he's fighting. -[Vic] Can you blame him?
[Booker] Yeah, he's fighting 100%, but right now
he's in no shape to be in this ring right now, Vic. I don't think so.
[Vic] You see Axiom with his hand out.
I mean, he desperately knows he needs to get back in the matchup.
Frazer, though, landing on his feet,
trying to reach out so close to Axiom, trying to break this grip.
Borne trying to hold on, trying to drag Frazer back.
Referee in great position to see if a tag is made,
because Axiom desperately needs to get into this matchup.
But Myles Borne just shut the door and may have slammed it shut
-on their tag team title reign. -[referee] One, two…
[Vic] Oh, and another near fall. Unbelievable.
Look at this innovative offense from Myles Borne,
and he was a half second away from putting gold around his waist
-along with Myle-- with Tavion Heights. -[Booker] I think--
I think that Frazer's desperately trying to make that tag.
That tells me something, Vic. That tells me he's--
Oh! He's out of gas. And that saying…
[Vic] How about that power slam? Still… not enough.
[Booker] That was an instinctual kick-out right there, Vic. That was instinctual.
[Vic] I just don't know how Nathan Frazer has anything left in the tank.
All the air driven out of the lungs.
And Axiom, you know, it's gotta be such a disheartening feeling.
[Booker] Don't play with the devil.
[Vic] For Axiom at this juncture.
[Booker] Don't do it. This kid, Nathan Frazer, he's a fighter.
-He's got a lot of women… -[Vic] Oh, wow!
Well, right on point, Book.
The door might have just opened for Frazer.
-He's a long way from Axiom. -[crowd chanting, applauding]
[Vic] He got caught again and just tossed. Heights didn't even leave his feet.
And the Olympian right now putting on a clinic gut wrench…
[Booker] Oh, baby!
-…right into a Dominator, into the cover. -[Booker] Good night, Nathan Frazer!
And again just able to kick out.
-[Booker] Wow. -[shouts in frustration]
[Vic] Borne getting frustrated, but what offense, what power,
and what a display the challengers are putting on tonight.
[Booker] I always talk about-- being hurt is one thing,
but being injured is something totally different.
[Vic] NXT tag team titles on the line here.
The final WWE premium live event of the year.
It's WWE Deadline,
and Frazer desperately has to make a tag some way, somehow.
Shot quickly to Borne, rolling through,
and he just doesn't have that normal speed.
Tag was made. Borne is legal, Frazer's close, not close enough,
looking for the enzuigiri. He got it.
And this is that moment.
Reached out, made the tag. Axiom to the top.
High cross body.
And Axiom right now has got to hit everything that moves.
And look at the two reigns for Axiom and Frazer.
They've held the titles for over 200 combined days.
They've been in the deep waters before, Booker.
There's only four teams that have held the titles
for more combined days than Axiom and Frazer here in NXT.
And look at Frazer on the outside, excuse me, getting some breath.
-Look at Axiom right now going to work. -[crowd cheering]
[Booker] Axiom saying he's looking to do all the…
[Vic] He's going to have to do it now. Into the cover.
Another near fall.
Again, I'm peeking up from the monitor to see Frazer.
I haven't seen Frazer move since he's made that tag.
-[crowd chanting] NXT! NXT! -[Vic] And you just wonder…
is Axiom in this by himself now?
[Booker] Vic, I said it earlier, I mean, being hurt is one thing,
being injured is something totally different.
Oba Femi came in and laid down work earlier tonight.
Oh! Big shot.
[Vic] Didn't connect, from behind,
and look at transitioning into the submission,
Axiom trying to get a full extension, bending back the left arm,
and look at the strain in the shoulder. Tavion, though, trying to overpower.
Certainly did, shoulders down, shifting weight.
Back in, looking for a powerbomb, trying to turn it around.
I don't know what the hell you call that, but it was effective,
but it didn't bring the titles to the challengers.
-[crowd applauding] -Two?
[Booker] Let me tell you, that's why this team
has been tag team champions for so long, Vic.
-[crowd] Oh! -[Booker] It's hard to beat them.
-They're always gonna be the underdogs… -One, two!
…coming to a matchup, but they are so resilient.
You gotta give them that.
[Vic] Did you just notice Axiom put his arm out?
He looked over to his corner. There is no Nathan Frazer.
[Vic] When we talk about putting the weight on his shoulders, this is now,
you see Frazer on the left part of your screen.
He is down. Axiom's got to do this alone.
Axiom trying to have an offensive flurry, trying to do anything he can,
but it's the challengers who are staying right in front
of the champions, rolling through and unbelievable!
[Booker] This kid has talent.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Booker] This kid has major talent.
-I'm gonna tell you right now… -[Vic] I almost feel bad for the champion.
[Booker] Let me tell you, Axiom, he kicked out,
but he's just prolonging the inevitable, I think.
I think it's closed.
[Vic] Borne checking in now, and it's hard to argue
that the challengers didn't arrive tonight with all the momentum.
They won that number one contender's Battle Royal Tuesday.
Borne, by the way, had the last two eliminations to guarantee
this title matchup as another tag was made.
But again, Book, it's two on one.
It doesn't matter what Axiom does, he can have all the flair he wants.
[Booker] Bad tag right there, Vic.
-[Vic] He could-- -[Booker] Whoa!
[Vic] Well, I know he's creative,
but I'm not even sure how he's able to pull that off.
There's Axiom. Frazer's back to his feet.
And Frazer now, he's going to have to go to a placement he don't have!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And I just looked up at Frazer as well.
I mean, there are wounds of war.
He's got blisters. He's got all sorts of bruises showing up!
-But he hit that 450 for the three… -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] And he couldn't get it.
[Booker] Got a lot of adrenaline right now going.
But how long will it last, Vic? How long will it last?
[Vic] He's going to push this to the limit here tonight at Deadline.
-Doing a lot of damage also to himself. -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] Think about the ribs.
And I would have thought that with the ribs, with the nose,
the list goes on, he would have to change his offensive approach.
-He is not. -[Booker] No, Vic.
That's throwing caution to the wind right there.
That's the only way Nathan Frazer knows. That's the only way Axiom knows, Vic.
One hundred percent.
[Vic] Frazer bought himself a little bit of time.
-[Booker] Look at his eyes, Vic. -[Vic] I'm looking at his eyes.
I don't necessarily know if he even knows he's in Minneapolis.
Because he's all the way to the top.
And he took a little bit too much time for that big release German.
[Booker] Man!
[Vic] Tag made. And as you said, it's almost academic at this point.
[Booker] Look at this, Vic. It really, truly is.
New tag team champions right here, baby.
-Here we go, here we go! -[crowd] One, two…
-Wow! -[Vic] Axiom back in,
and this matchup is gonna continue.
Starting to look around and think for the champions,
how are they going-- I mean, how are they continuing
to persevere in this matchup? Big jumping knee from Axiom.
Axiom, though, is not the legal Superstar.
Nathan Frazer is the legal one, and another drop kick from Borne.
[Booker] Beautiful dropkick by Myles Borne, Vic.
[Vic] And somehow it is Frazer who is legal and is still moving.
Tag. Axiom now legal.
[Booker] Gut check, Vic. This is gut check time.
[Vic] Oh, you can say that one more time. because you're 100% correct.
[Booker] Gut check, Vic.
-[Vic] Tag was made. -[Booker] This is gut check time.
[Vic] I heard you the first time. And tag was made.
Phoenix.
Looking for the Phoenix Splash.
It's Nathan Frazer. Who is the legal Superstar?
-Off that Spanish fly combination. -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] And Tavion broken up. Got caught with the golden ratio.
[Booker] Ah, everybody's down.
[crowd cheering] NXT!
[Vic] What a match!
That Spanish Fly-Phoenix Splash combination
has won them so many matches,
has won them the titles, has helped them retain the titles.
Oh, miscommunication!
That missile dropkick connected, but to Nathan Frazer!
-[Booker] Oh! -[Vic] Borne decapitating Axiom!
-[Booker] Turned inside out, Vic. -[Vic] Look right here!
[Booker] Man!
[Vic] Myles Borne just turned this matchup inside out, as did Tavion Heights.
It's now two and one.
-Combination offense. -[Booker] Good night!
-Heights is legal, and we have champion-- -[crowd] One, two…
-[Vic] No, no, no, no, no, no, no! -[Booker] No way, José! No!
No way that just happened, Vic.
[crowd cheering] Axiom!
[Vic] I don't know how it didn't happen. Axiom is now by himself again.
Frazer is barely moving at our feet. Heights is ready.
-Canadian Destroyer! -[Booker] What the hell?
-Talking about resilient, Vic. -[Vic] And Borne trying to come in.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Vic] Crucifix.
Shifting weight is Axiom. Turning it around.
-Inside cradle. Got him counted down… -[crowd] One, two, three!
-…and they did it! Holy hell, they did it! -[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering] -["Never Slow Down" playing]
[Mike Rome] Here are your winners and still the NXT Tag Team Champions,
Nathan Frazer and Axiom!
-[Vic] By the string of Axiom's mask… -["Strike Force" playing]
…they retain the titles tonight.
I'm almost in disbelief.
of what we saw because Axiom wiped out Frazer.
If he wasn't wiped out, it was done by Tavion Heights.
The combination high-impact offense was all night long
from the No Quarter Catch Crew.
In that moment, we both thought it was done.
Axiom somehow hit this destroyer with the assistance, by the way,
from Myles Borne and then a counter into a counter
-into this inside cradle… -[bell ringing]
…for Axiom and Frazer.
To not only keep the titles, but the champions survive.
some way, somehow, they retain and live to fight another day.
[Axiom] Best tag team in the world, come on!
[music concludes]
[indistinct chatter]
-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct chatter]
[Triple H] Straight shot out, go to the front the cages.
There's two cages. Just go to the front of them.
[Mike Rome] Here are your winners, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton.
[Vic] Cody delivering the Cody Cutter…
-You want me inside… -No, no, no. There's two shark cages.
When you walk up, you'll see the two shark cages,
just get in front of them, the lighting is better.
[match commentary continues]
[Triple H] Maybe two or three feet in front, that's it.
Gotcha.
[Vic] And then one of the most incredible RKOs you will ever see.
[indistinct chatter]
-[man] Here we go. -[indistinct chatter]
[Vic] At the sold-out Allstate Arena in Chicago…
In here, then just go straight, you'll see the two cages on either side.
There's one right in front of that.
[indistinct chatter]
-[audience cheering, applauding] -[indistinct chatter]
["Cult of Personality" playing]
[inaudible]
I need a… [muffled]
[indistinct chatter]
-[laughs] -[Triple H] How'd that feel?
-[audience screaming] -There's nowhere else to go.
That's as high as we're gonna get 'em. We just gotta go home.
That's a good crowd.
Good shit, man. Congratulations.
-How you doing, man? -Charles, how are you?
It's good to see you.
-Thank you. -I can't breathe.
[Ava] I know, I'm so happy. Bring her in.
You're gonna have to do your work. I'll do what I can.
-I'm so happy you're here. -You do your job, and I'll do mine.
[Ava] I will do my best.
-[Triple H] Will. -Yeah?
You want to put out a picture of me and you and blow up the internet?
-Yeah, what do you want to do? -Just take it in front of the logo.
Oh, are you gonna point at me?
-[Triple H] Whatever you want to do. -[CM Punk] Holy shit! Holy shit!
I'm gonna get the pointing picture?
[indistinct chatter]
-Hey, good seeing you. -Hey. Good seeing you here.
[CM Punk] Oh, I get a hug. Are you a hugger?
-Yeah, man. -[indistinct chatter]
[CM Punk] Hey, thank you.
Wow.
-[Kofi] How you doing, dude? -Doing good.
-How are you? -[Kofi] Doing good.
I didn't know you were going to be here. I didn't know.
You're my favorite.
Let's blow up the internet.
[indistinct chatter]
[match commentary continues]
Turn that up on your shit.
Do one more, I'm going to point back at you.
I don't know if it's ever been done.
[commentator] …reigning Intercontinental Championship of the WWE.
[indistinct chatter]
[Orton] Hey!
Can I not enjoy ten minutes of my f***ing return?
Everything is worth it, just to ******* rain on your--
-You did this to personally-- Come here. -On purpose! Yes.
-I'm all sweaty. I'm all sweaty. -I don't care.
I don't care, brother.
[Vic] Another big thank you to the city of Minneapolis
for hosting SmackDown last night and Deadline here tonight.
There is Sol Ruca, who's looking to ride the wave of momentum to victory.
But in order to do so, she's going to have to outlast four other Superstars,
including that woman, Giulia, "the Beautiful Madness."
Who will be our women's Iron Survivor?
Je'Von, you were legitimately seconds away tonight.
Two seconds, two seconds.
All I needed was two seconds, and I would have won.
But then they added Oba to the mix, you know,
he's kind of crazy, you know what I'm saying?
But the Iron Survivor was fire, wasn't it? It was crazy. It was fire?
Oh, yeah, that was tough, wasn't it? And look, I can go again.
Look, I can go all night. You know what I'm saying?
You know what? Deadline 2025, or put me in the women's one tonight.
Actually, no, they're all badasses. Kind of scared of them.
What are you doing?
We all just lost to Oba Femi, and you out here acting a fool.
Are you stupid or are you dumb?
Look, you don't get many opportunities like this.
Um… Neither, but bro, calm down.
All right, bro, you just had a fire performance.
You coming to the back acting… What is it? Come on, come on.
Salty.
-Come on, you got, how can you say… -Are you a part of this?
Now you a part of this too? Look, one day, you'll be just like me.
Oh, no, I'd rather not. [grunts]
[indistinct clamor]
Just like me and you're gonna understand why I feel the way that I do.
[Vic] Well, tempers continuing to flare,
but it is time for the NXT title as Trick Williams, the champion,
not 100%, but he is medically cleared.
Ridge is 100% looking to destroy NXT
while destroying Trick and becoming the new NXT Champion.
["Warrior" playing]
♪ So, you wanna be a warrior? ♪
♪ Inside of us there lives And breathes a warrior ♪
The revolution is happening here at NXT and Trick…
you're like the evolution of the revolution.
[commentator] This is a new era being led by Trick Williams.
That's all it is, and that's all it's gonna--
[Ridge] In life, you either step forward or you get stepped over.
I'm not ashamed to admit, to get where I needed to be…
[Vic] The number-one contender.
…I turned every miserable sod in my path into stepping stones.
[Vic] What the hell, Ridge? What are you doing?
I look at you, Ridge, and you're like a throwback.
Guys that just walk through walls,
take no prisoners, take whatever the hell they want.
I'm done waiting in line for my opportunities.
Now I hunt them down and I take them.
And that, Trick Williams, has already included you.
[Vic] Tag Team action.
Trick Williams is feeling it.
[Booker] All that talk.
[Vic] Oh, my God, Ridge has pinned the NXT champion!
Stepping stone.
[Trick] I came up in this business with some dogs who love NXT.
People who laid it all on the line for NXT to become what it is today.
We built something special here at NXT.
But Ridge, all you know how to do is destroy things.
We might have saw the end of Chase U.
That's when I knew, Ridge. You and me ain't the same.
The tension, you could cut it with a chainsaw.
Ridge, I see you. You bland. You vanilla. You boring, dog.
You're an insult to what NXT should be.
You are soft.
[Ridge] Trick, I do see one major difference between us.
[Vic] He looks to destroy, he looks to hurt.
You need the admiration of the people and your peers.
Well, I don't.
[Trick] I won't, I can't, let you become NXT Champion.
If I let you, Ridge, become NXT Champion…
[Vic] No, no, no, no, Ridge, come on.
…everything we worked so hard to create…
will die.
After Deadline…
[Vic] We need some help.
…I'll keep stepping forward as NXT Champion.
And you'll be left behind as the final stepping stone.
[crowd cheering]
["Can't Stop Winning" playing]
♪ I'm gonna fight with my tooth and nail I'm in control, yeah I will prevail ♪
♪ It's my style, don't know how to fail ♪
♪ From a higher plane I control the game ♪
♪ You will know my name When they scream it from the rooftops ♪
♪ 'Cause I can't stop ♪
♪ From my higher plane ♪
[Vic] The question always has been,
are you willing to give up who you are for what you will become?
For the challenger, the answer is obviously yes.
He has ruined lives.
He has ruined careers.
He has wrecked friendships.
But when we talk about this match tonight specifically, Book,
he does hold a pinfall victory over the champion.
Granted, it was in a Tag Team matchup,
but that is still a very important fact, is it not?
[Booker] It is. It's a very important fact.
I mean, Ridge Holland is a major player now.
He's that guy I told you about a long time ago, Vic.
-[Vic] You were right. -[Booker] He's that snake.
That snake that you can trust. The snake that you can trust to bite you.
♪ You will know my name When they scream it from the rooftops ♪
♪ 'Cause I can't stop winning ♪
♪ They told me don't chase but I'm believin' ♪
♪ I'm gonna stand where They've been kneeling ♪
-["Locked In" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!
Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!
[Vic] He's not 100%.
He's medically cleared as long as he can tolerate the pain.
But, Book, even you can recognize this isn't the same joyous,
happy-go-lucky champion we're used to. He's walking with a purpose.
[Booker] He's medically cleared to get into the middle of that ring.
And that means a whole lot, but I'm going to tell you,
like you say, he's not 100%, but he is still-- he is still that man.
Oh, yeah, man.
[crowd cheering]
[Booker] The people are hyped for this one, Vic.
[Vic] And Ridge already pointing out the injured neck of Trick Williams.
Let's go up to Mike Rome
as we get ready to start this NXT Championship match.
[bell ringing]
[Mike Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT Championship.
Introducing the challenger from Yorkshire, England,
weighing in at 253 pounds,
Rich Hollins!
And his opponent from Columbia, South Carolina,
weighing at 240 pounds,
he is the NXT Champion,
Trick Williams.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Championship advantage, but we know Trick won't cut a corner.
The NXT title has never changed hands at Deadline, and we also know
that the men's Iron Survivor winner, Oba Femi, is waiting in the wings.
And look at Ridge Holland, right out rip, going right at Trick Williams.
This one starting off because there is no love lost.
Think about what Ridge Holland did to Trick Williams just this past Tuesday.
So we're looking for the Redeemer! Looking for the Redeemer!
[Booker] Almost got him, Vic.
[Vic] Countered by Trick, big right hand by the champion.
These two, of course, have never faced off in singles competition,
but Trick Williams is fighting for the NXT he helped build,
and he said that a few weeks ago.
Look at Williams slugging it out right now with Ridge.
Has Trick been in this sort of fight, though, before?
It's not against a former friend.
It's not just about a title either anymore.
[Booker] As well as, Trick is fighting on a whole lot of emotion right now, Vic.
I don't like the looks of that right now. Right now, he's hot out of the gate,
but that could be a huge mistake with Ridge Holland.
[Vic] And there comes Ridge,
and it wasn't long ago he was talking about accidents,
needing to step away, misunderstandings.
It was all an absolute facade as he just got dropped with a dropkick.
[Booker] No, he's just finally embracing his body of work.
All the bodies laying in wake.
All the career-ending moments he's had. That's what it's all about.
[Vic] That was an important moment I want to bring up because off the spear,
Trick isn't going for a cover.
Trick is staying on top of Ridge Holland to hurt Ridge.
This goes back to what you said maybe about 90 seconds ago, emotion.
The emotional state of the champion.
[Booker] It's not just the fight, Vic. It's about the reckoning.
I think for both of these young men here in the middle of the square.
Oh, big shot there. Double time. Double time by Ridge Holland.
[Vic] First one caught him, second one rocked him,
hollering into the cover, and the champion able to kick out.
Why has Ridge booked, and I want you to give me an honest answer,
why has he been so hell-bent on destruction?
[Booker] I think he just finally woke up.
I think that's what it is, not believing in the people,
getting him to that next level, but himself, his mentality, his talent.
I think that's what it is, Vic.
Oh, big shot there by the front man. Amazing.
[Vic] Jumping clothesline, but again, not 100%.
This is something we've talked about, the neck injury
that Trick sustained this past Tuesday. And he's able to sidestep for a moment.
[Booker] Trick a little lethargic right there for a second, Vic.
[Vic] Well, we were getting ready to ask you,
is he going to compete with his usual flair,
or is he going to be a little bit more reserved due to that neck injury?
And what a short arm clothesline from Ridge.
[Booker] He got the injury because he got pulled up,
he gotta be hurt.
But I like that he is working through that pain.
Maybe a statement.
[Vic] Ridge here on the outside, seeing this in the past.
But there is Trick Williams,
who's fighting at a different level tonight.
Back into the post. Face first went Ridge.
But he's right here.
Trick is right here in front of us, and we can see,
you can see in his eyes now, it's just, it's shifted to a different gear.
He knows the past of Ridge. He knows what Ridge is capable of.
[Booker] The look I saw was Trick Williams realized
he's in a fight, a fight for his life.
This could be Trick Williams's toughest test today, right here tonight,
with this man right here, Ridge Holland, disposed.
[Vic] So, do you think he's going to be more reserved due to the neck injury?
Do you think he's going to have his typical Trick Williams flair?
Jumping neck breaker!
[Booker] He's got to let it all hang out. Here we go
[Vic] First cover from the champion and the challenger able to roll through.
Take another look.
High impact offense from champion to challenger.
And I get it. He's not 100%, Booker.
We've talked about that.
He's going to have some moments, much like we saw from Nathan Frazer,
that he's going to have to go to a different level.
[Booker] That's the level we're talking about, right there
by any means necessary, young man.
[Vic] And now look who's holding onto their neck and their throat.
It's Ridge Holland.
But it is, again, important to remember
that over the last several months, when it comes to Trick Williams,
it's been that emotional state.
[Booker] Yeah, but he's banged up right now. He's badly torn.
He's worse for wear but he's still fighting 100%.
[Vic] Cover, cover, cover, center of the ring, to retain!
Ridge powering out.
Trick's got to remember those emotional outbursts.
Now, it's Trick who's been focusing on the upper body.
Trick, who's trying to give Ridge Holland a taste of his own medicine, so to speak.
And I think he might be looking for a belly-to-back.
And certainly was able to connect.
[Booker] Yeah, but I can tell you that every big shot delivered
by Trick Williams takes a little bit out of him.
Trust me on that.
[Vic] So, in your opinion,
Trick's gotta get this over quick because the longer this match goes,
it favors the challenger.
[Booker] I think Ridge Holland might be trying to buy his time,
trying to get to those deep, deep waters, Vic.
[Vic] Trying to make Trick swim, and, oh!
Again, focusing on the back,
focusing on the neck, and now look where Ridge is stomping.
[Booker] That's legal, Vic.
There's nothing illegal about that inside the square circle.
If he doesn't break the referee's count of five, he gets disqualified.
-He had to stop. -[Booker] That's another story.
You were not talking about that. You didn't ask me about that.
You asked me about those kicks at the base of the neck. Big shot!
[Vic] And that knee to the temple as well.
Order certainly has been shattered by chaos.
And it's the chaos that Ridge Holland has brought
to this brand.
[Booker] Ridge is not here to hurt, he's here to maim.
He's not here to bend, he's here to break.
That's what this man is all about.
You gotta have that type of mentality in this business.
[Vic] And I don't know if you knew this,
this is his first one on one Championship matchup.
So, does that speak volumes to his mindset as we are here?
Minneapolis, the final WWE premium live event of the year.
It is Deadline NXT Championship on the line.
[Booker] Having that victory over Trick Williams,
that's saying I've done it once, I can do it again, let's do it tonight,
under the bright light, let's do it tonight for that championship
around his waist. Oh, yes!
[Vic] Take another look, and again,
a high-angle suplex landing Trick high.
Trick certainly favoring his neck.
Referee is gonna have to keep a close eye on Trick Williams
'cause Williams is not going to quit.
Trick Williams is not going to stop. Ridge, into a cover.
Trick able to kick out, and I wanna give Ridge his just due.
If you go back to mid-March, Holland's 8-0 in singles matches.
He's won tag team titles. He's been victorious in ambulance matches.
It's been quite the last ten months for Ridge Holland.
[Booker] He finally woke up, Vic. He finally let that beast come out of him.
That light switch finally turned on and right now
this is the result of it right here.
[Vic] Throat first goes Trick! And Trick turning right back in.
[Booker] Going back to that neck-- Beautiful neck breaker.
-[Vic] Vicious neck breaker. -[Booker] Beautiful.
[Vic] Cover.
-[Ridge screams] -[Vic] Trick able to slither his way free.
But, Booker, there was not…
There wasn't a lot on that kick out from Trick Williams.
And Ridge Holland knows…
Ridge Holland destroyed Chase U.
He wants to destroy this NXT,
and he wants to do so by destroying Trick Williams.
[Booker] That's just that, Vic.
I think it's that Championship gold that's most important
for this man, Ridge Holland.
Nobody gave him a chance. Nobody believed in him but himself.
[Vic] And he just tied Trick up.
Trick can't go anywhere. And Ridge to the outside,
-and he's gonna use every second. -[Booker] Back to that neck.
-Back to the neck, Vic. -[referee] …two! Three! Four!
[crowd booing]
[Booker] Trust me, I know all about that neck injury
because it was the injury that ended my career.
Right now, Trick Williams, I'm not feeling too good about his career at this moment.
-Oh! -[Vic] Trick can't even move.
Trick is literally tied upside down with nowhere to go.
And it's an open season target for the challenger.
[Booker] Beautiful work. Beautiful work there by Ridge Holland.
He knew he has five seconds,
and he used four-point-five of those seconds.
-Beautiful work. -[Vic] I mean, not only the neck,
think about the torque on the knee of Trick Williams, the ankle,
as Ridge is just dragging it across the ropes.
-[Booker] Vic, this is not ballet. -[Vic] This is disgusting.
[Booker] This is not ballet or anything. This is real as real can get.
One! Two!
[Vic] Trick continuing to fight, got that left shoulder up.
And you mentioned it earlier, You touched on it briefly.
You were right, Book. You were right about Ridge Holland.
Nothing he has done is been on an accident.
It's all been purposeful.
It's all been remorseless as now just putting that pressure,
trying to put Trick to sleep.
Turning Trick around with another neckbreaker.
[Booker] Beautiful. Like I say, now he's finally embracing
who he really is, Vic.
And tonight, that person could be walking out as NXT champion.
[Vic] And I don't know if you get the feeling right now that I get,
here, in the Armory, but the NXT Universe,
they don't want Ridge Holland to be their champion.
The NXT Universe right now is scared that in a matter of moments,
Ridge Holland will have the power in his own hands.
I agree with you. I'm gonna say the man has definitely left this arena
The floor is… trying to get behind Trick right now,
but Ridge Holland's doing a hell of a job. You gotta give him that there.
[Vic] And I don't know if you noticed, but Ridge ripped the tape
that was on Trick Williams' neck right off.
And Trick turning things around with a DDT.
-[Booker] Window just opened. -[Vic] It certainly did.
[Booker] Window's just opened for Trick Williams.
He better slide in there.
[Vic] The door's open, but Trick's gotta kick that thing open right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] It's all about the NXT championship.
It's all about being the best. Trick Williams not at 100%.
He came in here with a neck injury. He was medically cleared.
Ridge Holland has known that the bullseye
has been squarely on the neck of Trick Williams.
He's tried to exploit it.
Trick right now trying to battle back with everything he's got left.
He's gotta empty the tank right now in this moment.
-[Booker] Oh, baby, here he comes! -[Vic] Trick is rallying right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Get one more!
-Bam! -[Booker] Flapjack!
-Flapjack! Oh, baby! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Trick overcame the odds last year here at Deadline.
Can he do it again?
Was looking for maybe a rock bottom, gets countered into a crossface.
And the neck now being bent backwards.
[Booker] The torque. Look at the torque right now.
[Vic] Shift, shift, shift, shift, counter, counter, counter, cover, kick out!
[Booker] Beautiful reversal there by Trick Williams. Beautiful. Here we go!
-[Vic] Second time the charm! -[Booker] Book end! Book end!
-[referee] One, two… -[crowd counting]
[Vic] Not to be done.
Ridge Holland powers out.
What a ura-nage… from Trick Williams.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Trick is back to his feet. Trick is focused.
But Trick, whoa, looking for that trick shot.
Countered, rolled through. Ridge… overpowering.
[Booker] Look at this…
[Vic] And trying to plant, jackknife style.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And Ridge, one more time, hoisting up the champion.
Boom! That's gotta be it.
-Ridge into the cover. -[crowd counting]
[Vic] Trick kicking out.
Whoo! The focus of the offense has been heavy artillery to the neck.
Trick right now. What has he got left?
This is a moment for Trick Williams, Vic.
Is he gonna achieve greatness… or not?
But right now, he's in dire straits, he's in a bad position.
Ridge Holland looking to capitalize, big-time.
[Vic] He's also taking a big risk, is Ridge Holland.
And Trick just able to get out of the way.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Turning it around, Trick.
-[Dallas] One, two. -[crowd counting]
[Vic] To retain-- And Ridge this time…
-[Booker] Wow! -…able to get out the back door.
NXT Championship on the line. One more time.
-Bam! -[crowd cheering]
-[Vic] Was able to connect. -[crowd counting]
[Vic] Wasn't able to put Ridge down.
[Booker] Gotta give it up for Trick Williams.
Gotta give it up for this young man fighting with a…
with a bad, bad neck. We don't know how bad the damage truly, really is,
but he's doing a hell of a job, Victor.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Trick's back up, coming to both men, had the same thought.
Both men connected,
but Trick fell into the cover and just getting that shoulder up
on the Trick was Ridge Holland and Trick had to kick out.
-[Booker] Oh, man. -[Vic] Oh, my!
-[Booker] So close, so close. -[Vic] Whoo!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Vic] What an NXT Championship match.
What a night it has been, the final premium live event of the year.
[Booker] I'll tell you Vic, it doesn't get no better than this.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome. [clapping] This is awesome.
This is awesome. [clapping] This is awesome.
[Vic] NXT Universe here for WWE Deadline is…
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
…taking a look around at the bodies that are spewed everywhere.
And right here, Trick just went spine first.
And now he's gone into the steel steps.
The only way you can win, Ridge, is inside the ring.
-You gotta get Trick back inside the ring. -[Booker] You're out of the ring.
[crowd jeering]
[Booker] Told you, Vic. It's about the reckoning.
It's not just about the championship. It's about maiming.
It's about disabling and destroying. It really--
[Vic] But this is what I've been saying too.
That's all Ridge Holland wants to do is destroy.
Whether it's Chase U, whether it's NXT, or whether it's Trick Williams.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Oh!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Vic] I don't know where Trick is getting this from.
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick!
[Vic] But you said earlier, did he look in Trick's eyes? I just did.
And he looks like a man that is absolutely possessed.
-[Booker] Oh, baby. -[Vic] Oh, no, no, no, no, no. My god.
[Booker] Oh, baby.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] The neck of Trick Williams is tied up, it's getting squeezed.
Booker, you know how dangerous those ropes can be.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, I saw Mick Foley do this in Germany.
It ripped his ear right off the socket.
-[Vic] Referee desperately-- -[Booker] Whoa, man!
[Vic] But the damage is done, and Ridge knows it.
Ridge absolutely knows that the damage has been done,
and the Redeemist hits the Redeemer!
-[Booker] Oh, baby. -[Vic] Unbelievable.
Not like this.
Trick kicked out! Booker, Trick's alive!
[Booker] You gotta be kidding me. This young man, Trick Williams…
[Vic] He's doing it for the NXT Universe.
He's doing it for the locker room of men and women.
He's doing it for everyone before him that has come here
and has fought their lives, busted their ass to get to this moment.
Counter and cover, kick out.
[Booker] Wow, that was close right there, Vic.
Trick Williams letting it all hang out right here.
[Vic] Whoa, Ridge went into the post.
Trick back to his feet. Trick Kick!
-Trick Kick! Trick Shot! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Vic] Trick did it! -[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -["Locked In" playing]
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner…
-[Booker] Uh-huh! Uh-huh! What? -…and still the NXT champion,
-Trick Williams. -[Booker] Yeah! Uh-huh!
-I like it. Oh, yeah, man. -[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick!
[Booker] Oh, yeah, man. That's Trick, that's the NXT champion.
-[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick! -[Booker grunts]
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!
[Vic] Trick Williams overcomes the odds once again.
This was very late into the match-up.
The neck had been the focal point and the target from the challenger
throughout this entire match.
There was that Redeemer from The Redeemist,
which has not only put people in an ambulance,
it's put them in the hospital, but it wouldn't keep Trick down tonight.
First it was Trick who was able to hit that Trick Kick
after Ridge went into the post,
and then was able to hit that patented Trick Shot
-right under the jaw to retain. -[crowd counting]
-[bell ringing] -["Locked In" playing]
[Vic] And, Booker, real strength
is to be your best when you're at your weakest.
And Trick just turned back the Redeemer
as Williams continues to wave the NXT banner.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd chanting] Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick! Whoop that Trick!
[interviewer] Ethan Page, clearly not the result you were hoping for tonight.
[Ethan] You think?
Four matches.
[chuckling] It took four matches in WWE for me to become NXT champion.
I turned NXT into "N-X-Me."
Then I lose the championship in Chicago thanks to Punk.
Become number-one contender,
lose my shot again at Halloween Havoc, earn my way back into contendership.
Tonight with the Iron Survivor, I dropped the ball again.
[scoffing] And where the hell did Oba Femi come from?
[breathes heavily] Eighteen years.
Eighteen years it took me to get here, to climb that mountaintop,
to win the championship.
But it also took me 18 years to figure out…
that Ethan Page has no clue how to get back there.
-[interviewer] What are you saying? -[Ethan sighs]
I don't know.
I can't do this.
Ava, those are interesting remarks from Ethan Page.
What are your thoughts?
[Ava] Ethan and I don't always see eye to eye,
but that was a hell of a performance from him tonight.
Not sure if he's still talking off of emotion or what.
[Sarah] Yes, emotions are certainly still riding high.
I was just with Wesley and Je'Von Evans,
and they were about to go after each other.
[Ava] I saw that,
and I think it speaks in volumes about how much Oba Femi
being in the match really changed things.
As for Wes and Je'Von, I think this Tuesday on NXT
is the perfect place for them to finish whatever they've started.
Well, this Tuesday, we'll be back in Orlando,
and then the following week
we're back on the road in Lowell, Massachusetts.
[Ava] You're right. We are going to be in the Lowell Memorial Auditorium,
a very historic venue.
And, Sarah, the first NXT of 2025, New Year's Evil, will be live from L.A.
We're going to kick the New Year off with a bang.
[Tiffany] Hi, guys!
-[Ava] Hi, Tiffy. What are you doing here? -[crowd cheering, applauding]
Well, Minneapolis is my hometown, duh!
[chuckling] And I miss Money in the Bank.
I can go wherever I want. Double duh. Anyways, if my memory serves me correct,
I heard that there's gonna be a title match
between the Iron Survivor and Roxanne Perez.
Is that correct?
Yes, so at New Year's Evil, whoever wins the Iron Survivor tonight
will face Roxanne Perez for her Women's Championship.
Interesting. [gasps]
I just had a Tiffany epiphany. That always happens here. [gasps]
Maybe in La La Land, it will be Tiffy time!
-[sighs] Toodles! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Millions From Now" by 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne playing]
[Vic] Well, it could be Tiffy time in the City of Angels
when it hosts New Year's Evil on the first NXT of the new year.
But this Tuesday, we're going to have tag team action
as Gigi Dolin teams with Tatum Paxley
to take on an old friend and Jacy Jayne and Jasmine Nix of Fatal Attraction.
Which team will be victorious?
And we heard earlier tonight,
everyone questioning, where did this man come from?
We will hear from Oba Femi.
He is the ruler, and now the Men's Iron Survivor.
What will be on the mind of Oba Femi this Tuesday?
But now it's time to find out who will be this year's Women's Iron Survivor.
[music concludes]
["Here We Go Again" playing]
[narrator] At Deadline…
NXT will once again present a truly revolutionary match,
the Iron Survivor Challenge.
♪ There's a storm that is coming Prepare for the fight ♪
[presenter] Five Superstars will compete in this unique 25-minute match.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[presenter] They will battle each other and the clock.
-Two Superstars will start the match. -[bell ringing]
[presenter] Then every five minutes, another Superstar will join the match,
until all five are in the ring.
The goal of the match is to have the most falls
-when the clock hits 25 minutes. -[bell ringing]
[presenter] Falls can be won at any time via pinfall or submission,
and when a Superstar wins a fall, they'll earn a point.
However, when a Superstar loses a fall, they must pay the penalty.
They're forced out of the ring and into the penalty box for 90 seconds.
Once 90 seconds are up, the Superstar can re-enter the match.
♪ Here we go again! Here we go again! ♪ Oh, can you feel the adrenaline? ♪
[presenter] The Superstar who scored the most falls
when the clock hits 25 minutes,
will be named The Iron Survivor,
and will become the number one contender for the NXT Championship.
[music concludes]
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Mike Rome] The following is the Women's
-Iron Survivor Challenge! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Mike Rome] Now, this match begins with two Superstars inside the ring.
A new Superstar will join the match every five minutes
until all five Superstars have entered the ring.
Now, points will be scored by pinfall or submission.
If a Superstar is defeated,
they will spend 90 seconds in the penalty box.
Whoever has the most falls at the end of 25 minutes
will be declared the winner and the number one contender
to the NXT Women's Championship!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Time of Arrival" playing]
[Mike Rome] Introducing first, Giulia!
[Vic] Believes she should be Champion
if not for Cora Jade costing her in October.
Can she make up for it by becoming the Women's Iron Survivor?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Substance Over Style" playing]
[Mike Rome] And her opponent, representing No Quarter Catch Crew,
Wren Sinclair!
[Vic] Won the Last Chance 4-Way, Tuesday, to qualify, but Book, is she ready?
This is the main event of a premium live event.
[Booker] Is she ready?
She didn't slip on a banana peel to get here, Vic.
She didn't get here by osmosis, or anything like that.
She earned her spot omelette without no scrabble.
[Vic] Technically, Lola Vice hit her with a backhand and she fell into the victory,
-so she kind of did slip on a banana peel. -[Booker] Doesn't matter.
[Booker] It doesn't matter, Vic. She's here.
[Vic] Well, nonetheless, this challenge and innovative concept
that this brand has become synonymous with,
as we talked about earlier, we started with the Men's Iron Survivor,
but our women take center stage
on the final premium live event of the year.
There you see the five players at the bottom.
-[bell ringing] -[Vic] We do not know their order.
We do know these are the two starting things off.
[Booker] Vic, are you saying Wren Sinclair hasn't stepped her game up?
Or are you saying that-- Is that what you're saying?
[Vic] Well, if I actually dive into it,
she did snap a six-match cover and a kick out.
She did snap a six-match losing streak with her win, Tuesday.
[Booker] So, you're saying she's stepping up her game, right?
-[Vic] However you want to put it, Book. -[Booker] Technically, technically,
-technically, right? -[Vic] Book, I'm not arguing with you
on the final. This is the main event match-up.
The last one, another cover, another kick out.
It's been a beautiful night. Don't ruin it. Just don't ruin it for me.
-[Booker] Okay, you got it. -[Vic] Thirty seconds into this match-up,
everyone looking around, and look, the winner faces Roxanne Perez
for the Women's Championship at New Year's Eve.
-We just learned, Booker, by the way. -[Booker] Yes, the prodigy!
-[Vic] Los Angeles! -[Booker] Los Angeles, baby.
We kicking the year off with a bang! Oh, yes, man!
[Vic] And I don't know if Wren really wants
to get into a test of strength here with Giulia.
[Booker] Why not? I don't think that's Giulia's strong suit,
her strength or anything like that.
-[Vic] As you're saying that, Giulia just… -[Booker] I think it's her ability.
I think it's her knowledge, her in-ring skill.
I think that's what it is, more than anything.
[Vic] Well, Giulia had the advantage there for a moment.
Back into this test of strength between these two
for 60 seconds off the clock. This match will go 25 total minutes.
Penalty box is to our right.
And Wren now, and Giulia meeting in the center.
[Booker] Test of strength right here, Vic. Right now, Wren is overpowering Giulia.
[Vic] In this moment, she certainly is,
but look at Giulia fighting right back, and overpowering Wren Sinclair.
And as you look at the field of names,
I do want to ask you this in the early going.
Does it mean anything to you,
that all the competitors have never competed
in this sort of match-up? Nathan Frazer had competed earlier.
Cover though, this time by Wren. Shifting weights, Giulia.
Wren shoulders down. Right back goes Giulia.
Back and forth they go.
The official right now, in great position to count to three.
Giulia goes back up, goes back over. Back down goes Wren.
Wren with a nice counter as well, but she's able to slide out.
[Booker] Beautiful work there, by the ladies.
But, Vic, back to your question.
You think no one would have an advantage in this match-up,
not having any experience with a match-up like this.
But I beg to differ. It's about studying, Vic.
It's about preparation is the only luck you're ever going to have.
Trust me on that.
[Vic] This is an early feeling out process between these two.
If we go back to the Men's that kicked off the night.
Je'Von Evans, Wes Lee, they were flying all around the ring, trying to lay out.
You even questioned Je'Von Evans trying to empty the tank with the power
that he was displaying.
These two right now keeping it slow and methodical.
[Booker] You know what? I agree with Wes Lee though.
Once upon a time, Wes Lee was that nice kid,
just like Je'Von Evans, but it's a big difference now.
Just like these ladies right here. They got--
[Vic] Looking for the submission. Wren now countered into another counter.
Crucifix. And Giulia having to let go of the hold.
She has a Front Facelock on right now
as we are through the first two minutes and 45 seconds.
Inside cradle by Wren. Center of the ring. Giulia able to kick out.
And how important is it to pick up a victory early on?
Backslide, shoulders down, Giulia having to wiggle free.
[Booker] I love what Wren Sinclair's doing right now.
She's going for the cover.
She's not just wasting any time or anything like that.
-As well as Giulia with the big-- Wow! -[Vic] Backslide, hooked that foot. Whoa!
[Booker] What an innovative move there, Vic.
[Vic] It's almost like going underwater and losing some air.
Wren Sinclair couldn't get out of there fast enough.
Couldn't get back to her feet because right now,
Giulia staring a hole through Wren.
Beautiful Madness has an entirely new meaning here in NXT.
[Booker] Chess match between the ladies.
And right now, we got three minutes gone by so far.
[Vic] Well, how do you like this strategy by Wren,
first, she wanted to test strength, then she squared up with Giulia.
And again, Giulia's such a good striker, it--
Start to question maybe what Wren Sinclair's doing early on.
[Booker] We're gonna get a chance to see how much work Wren has done
with the No Quarter Catch Crew,
'cause, Vic, she wouldn't be here without the Catch Crew.
-[Vic] I don't disagree with that. -[Booker] Thank you. Thank you.
[Vic] And she lost to Zaria in that original qualifying match-up,
and I'm sure she's had a lot of work with Charlie Dempsey,
wants to make the most of this second chance opportunity.
[Booker] Did you see that reversal right there? It was quick.
It was smooth. Everything was technically sound.
[Vic] I also saw that reversal by Giulia, who's back up here
as we're 60 seconds away from the third Superstar entering
into this match-up.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Wren! Let's go, Wren! Let's go, Wren!
[Vic] NXT Universe somewhat split between these two Superstars
as this chess match, as you called it, Booker, continuing.
But what a right hand by Wren, followed up with another one.
And maybe Wren's just done playing around at this point.
[Booker] Oh, Wren's holding her own right now,
showing Giulia that you have to step
into NXT with more than just a reputation. Here we go, here we go!
[Vic] Pace is starting to pick up because in less than 25 seconds,
the newest Superstar will enter into this match-up.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Vic] Giulia taking her time to soak in the admiration
from the NXT Universe here in Minneapolis.
Nice move though by Wren, who's back up on her feet.
Coming right back through, going around, looking for another submission.
And can Wren hang on?
-[crowd counting] -[Booker] Beautiful!
-Beautifully reversal! -[buzzer blaring]
-["Chasing Surf" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Vic] And it can't be overlooked for Sol Ruca.
She's had some big wins in NXT, yet to capture some gold.
-But why is that, Book, in your opinion? -[Booker] No, no.
She's talented, Vic, but that time off is your worst enemy.
You cannot be out of the game for one second because you know why?
Somebody will take your spot.
That's why she's here tonight with the vengeance.
Here we go. Here we go, Vic!
[Vic] The third spot was lucky last year.
That's where Blair Davenport entered and won.
-Can the same be said for Sol Ruca… -[Booker] Yeah!
…here tonight, who's trying to ride
-the wave of momentum? -[Booker] I don't like that right there.
[Vic] It's 'cause you don't like anything fun.
[Booker] No, no, no! That playing around in a match-up like this
could be the end, Vic.
[wrestlers grunt]
[Vic] Yeah, but right now, it's working out pretty good.
Stack 'em up, looking for two falls,
and ooh, that's how Oba Femi, if you remember, won the Men's got
two falls just like that.
[Booker] That would have been a hell of a come-up right there,
for Sol Ruca to get two points on the board.
-[Vic] Boom! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] We talked about Wren snapping that six-match loose streak,
and Sol Ruca on fire, but now just got countered.
She has the most momentum, I would think,
with five consecutive victories
-in televised matches… -[Booker] Oh, baby, submission!
…but there's nowhere for Sol to go as Wren going up and around,
and I think I've seen this before
from someone, perhaps the Heritage Cup Champion.
[Booker] Sol Ruca may have to tap right here, Vic.
She may have to verbally tap because she can't do it with her hands.
[Vic] And I was wondering what Giulia was thinking.
Finally, Giulia coming in, breaking things up,
doesn't want to go down a fall,
but now she's looking for a double submission!
[Booker] Double up! Double up! Wren time, Vic! Here we go!
[Vic] And as we've seen this match-up play out with still no falls.
Yeah, look at Wren catching the arm of Sol Ruca,
who I think was ready to tap, able to catch.
Now, they're trying to break the hold together.
And finally, Wren with an elbow right to the ribs.
As we are seven minutes into this match-up, no decision.
Sleeper locked back on this time on Wren Sinclair.
Giulia trying to use her submission specialty
to get one here. Look at Sol Ruca sneaking in!
[Booker] Yes, indeed, Giulia using all her technical prowess,
and right now, Sol Ruca said,
"If it worked for you, it might work for me too!"
[wrestlers grunt]
[Vic] On Wren, used her head there to break the hold,
create separation, and continue to keep this scoreless.
Between all three of these women is now Wren wrestling down Sol,
-looking for that Fujiwara Armbar. -[Booker] Catch me turning into place.
[Vic] Look at the joint just pop. Look at the shoulder!
-[Booker] Wow! -[Vic] Look at the torque.
[Booker] You can see the shoulder about to pop
-out of the socket right there, Vic, -[Vic] And Wren saw Giulia coming,
stepping through, and then locking in a knee bar.
I don't necessarily know, that might be a knee bar, or is it a heel hook?
[Booker] No, that's a knee bar.
[Vic] Big right hand, rocking back, Giulia.
And in comes Sol Ruca, as we got eight minutes past.
[Booker] Triangle.
[Vic] Another submission. And are you surprised
by all the submissions we're seeing right here
between these three women?
I mean, it's such a unique style between all the women
that are in this match-up. I mean, which style fits best?
[Booker] You know, the thing is, nobody's going for a real cover,
a good cover or anything like that,
and I think that's a huge mistake by the ladies, Vic.
[Vic] Well, I'm not surprised by the knowledge you have
because I remember you being such a submission specialist
-during your time in the ring. -[Booker] Well, I was.
-I knew a couple of submission moves. -[Vic] Name one.
-[Booker] The… -[Vic] We'll get back to the match.
Sol Ruca trying to pull herself back up, as is Wren Sinclair.
Ninety seconds left, and then we will have the third Superstar.
Whoa! Wren picking up the pace.
-Boom! Running over. -[Booker] Yes, V.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Vic] Sol goes face first. Wren into the cover, but there's Giulia,
and that's the danger of this match-up. That's why strategy comes into play.
[Booker] You got to have eyes in the back of your head
in a match-up like this, which is impossible to say the least,
but right now, Wren is still on top of her game, Vic.
Give her a lot of-- Let me tell you something.
[Vic] All right, I'll give her credit. I'll give her credit.
[Booker] If this match-up was on points, right now,
-Wren would be on top. -[Vic] I'll give you credit.
Wren Sinclair right now is hanging with these two Superstars
in this moment. She earned her spot last in.
[Booker] What are you talking about, hanging?
[Vic] She's hanging.
[Booker] I think she's exceeded herself right now, Vic.
I think she's doing a hell of a job.
Give her credit. Give credit where credit is due!
[Vic] I just tried, but it wasn't good enough for you, Booker,
as Wren just got knocked to next week, as did Sol Ruca.
-There's Sinclair! There's Sinclair! -[Booker] Look at that!
-[Vic] Kick out. -[Booker] Oh, man!
[Vic] Big knee right back in, and I do hate to admit when you are right,
but look at Giulia, with that Northern Lights bomb!
-[crowd chanting] One, two, three! -[Vic] And Beautiful Madness
-picks up the first decision. -[Mike Rome] Giulia has scored a fall.
And now remember-- Wait, wait, wait, wait! Ruca, Ruca, Ruca kicking out!
Wren Sinclair now to the penalty box for the next 90 seconds,
-and we got two seconds. Who's next? -[buzzer blaring]
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -["Tortured Minds" playing]
[Vic] Pure power is Zaria.
And Book, is she the X-Factor in this match-up?
[Booker] Yeah, she's definitely the X-Factor.
She's going to lead on that power play that you just talked about a second ago.
But the thing is, how much does she have in the tank for a match like this, Vic?
We've never seen that before. This is different.
[Vic] That's a good question.
So, maybe luck is the draw for being able to enter
where she did at number four.
And that's a great point that you bring up.
As now, two for one, Giulia, Sol. Ooh.
[Booker] That's that power you were talking about.
[Vic] I guess it was a two-for-one for some moment.
I just looked to my right, by the way. Wren Sinclair right now
refocusing herself, getting in some deep breath,
trying to get back into full focus into this match-up
as she has less than 30 seconds. Big backdrop!
[Booker] Wren understands being in that penalty box means
she can't be in here, trying to get a cover,
trying to get to that number one spot. That's what that is, Vic.
-[Vic] Whoa! Double! -[Booker] Oh, baby! Oh, baby!
-[Vic] Sol Snatcher! -[Booker] Two times!
[Vic] And Sol couldn't get into the cover of either Superstar.
What an opportunity lost by Sol.
Unreal. And now, look at the clock.
Sinclair is about to re-enter this matchup at 11 minutes, 27 seconds.
And Zaria, who is here-- Wait a minute! Sol Snatcher!
[Booker] Wow!
[Vic] And Sinclair's headed back to the box!
[Mike Rome] Sol Ruca has scored a point!
[Booker] That was smart right there, Vic.
[Vic] So who are you scoring on points now, Book?
'Cause Wren Sinclair has been in the box twice.
Sol's got to fall, Giulia's got to fall. Both came because of Wren Sinclair.
Take another look at this unbridled athleticism
from Sol Ruca. It's back on display here in front of us.
[Booker] Yes, indeed, Vic.
The athleticism of Sol Ruca saying this might be her night,
in my estimation, but right now she's getting rocked.
[Vic] It looks-- Able to put the brakes on, I think, for a moment.
And that was a quick moment.
By the way, I wanna throw out there too for Zaria,
who is the freshest Superstar.
She has pinned the NXT Women's Champion, that being Roxanne Perez.
[Booker] Which means nothing, Vic.
Yeah, I mean, it was a title match, but, you know, a…
-a bit-- Man, who cares? -[Vic] Oh. Ooh! Ooh!
This could be a nasty landing for Zaria, trying to look up,
but right here, maybe in our laps.
Zaria able to get free, but back in comes Giulia.
-Giulia trying her best to hold on. -[Booker] Too much power, Vic.
[Vic] Wren Sinclair looking for 27 seconds.
She might be happy she's still in there. Booker!
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Well, that's one way to isolate some power.
And look at Giulia, neck breaker to the floor.
Sinclair back in. Sinclair is shocked. She can pick up the bones, Book.
[Booker] Take the advantage. Take the advantage, Wren.
[Vic] But you got to pin him in the ring.
You got to get him in the ring. Wren can't lift up Zaria.
Oh!
Finally able to get up Giulia.
And Giulia, too much time, able to get back in, and Wren,
well, I mean, that was wise.
Book, I know we're a little stunned here because of what is laying at our feet,
that being Zaria, but if you look up and take a look at the clock,
we are 60 seconds away
from the final Superstar entering into this matchup!
[Booker] Wow! Wow, Vic, did you see that? Did you see that, Vic?
[Vic] Sol is absolutely sensational tonight.
[Booker] Yeah, but she looks tired and worked right now, Vic.
[Vic] Take a look, earlier, this is what happened at our feet.
Zaria is barely moving. That's how you isolate power.
That's how you showcase
your unbridled athleticism.
And for Sol Ruca, if she's able to get a decision here,
she's going to be up one fall over Giulia, two over the rest of the field.
[Booker] Yeah, Vic, but you just admired her work there for about ten seconds,
might've been ten seconds too long in my estimations.
[Vic] Well, you have said she's a little maybe carefree at times.
And Sol is a…
Little Tarantula, trying to tie up, but she can't get a submission.
But you know who can?
Giulia, as she drags Sol.
Sol into the cover, hook to the leg, kick out.
[crowd] Five, four, three, two, one!
[buzzer blaring]
-[rock music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] And for Stephanie Vaquer,
she doesn't have the same amount of time as everyone else,
but she's only trailing one decision.
[Booker] Yeah, Vic, but you got less than ten minutes left
in this matchup.
Giulia's gotta fall, Ruca's gotta fall. Who's gonna be next?
[Vic] And Stephanie Vaquer, the freshest Superstar in this match,
who blazed a trail in Chile, Mexico, Japan, Europe, now here in NXT.
By the way, also holds a victory over the NXT Women's Champion,
-Roxanne Perez. -[Booker] Nobody cares about that, Vic.
I mean, right now, Roxanne Perez is still the champion, she's still--
-[Vic] Cover. Kick out. -[Booker] She's still the best.
[Booker] None of that matters.
[Vic] It's funny, you say it doesn't matter now
as another kick out by Sol Ruca, but it mattered a few moments ago
when it was Trick Williams versus Ridge Howland
and you told me that that was huge.
Now it doesn't matter because it's Roxanne Perez.
Nonetheless, Perez is looking on
'cause she's going to face one of these five women. Oh!
[Booker] Oh! Dragon Screw! Dragon--
-[Vic] Right out of the corner. -[Booker] That's it. That could be it.
[Vic] And Giulia breaking it up because Giulia and Sol--
What a stare down we've been waiting for.
[Booker] Shake it off, shake it off. You're about to go.
[crowd chanting]
[Vic] And from behind, rising from the ashes, was Zaria.
[Booker] Just ain't the penalty box right there, Vic.
[Vic] And look at these three international Superstars
that have turned NXT on its head.
And Zaria just dropping Giulia.
Now, just gonna snatch and drop Wren Sinclair.
-Sol coming in. Got caught with a spear. -[Booker] Oh!
Big shot. Big shot by Zaria.
Power game coming into play right now, Vic.
[Vic] And you wonder, in this juncture, for Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer,
who are the only two that are standing for the moment,
are they gonna be able to team one more time
to try to cut down the competition when it's someone like Zaria?
[Booker] I think it's about teamwork right now.
I think Zaria knows exactly what this is about.
I think Giulia as well as Vaquer.
This is about number one contendership, Vic.
[Vic] Well, Vaquer just jumping on the back, looking for a submission.
We've seen this strategy a lot here tonight in this matchup,
and it hasn't quite worked out the way that anyone has wanted it to. As…
-What is Zaria thinking here? -[Giulia groans]
-[crowd cheering] -[Booker] God!
[Vic] As Corey Graves would say, "Clear the deck."
-[Giulia groans] -[Zaria groans]
[Vic] Zaria now, can she pick up the bones?
Can she pick up her first decision in this matchup?
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Vic] She did it.
-We got three Superstars at one. -[Mike Rome] Zaria has scored a fall.
[Vic] And Giulia now goes to the penalty box,
here to our right for the next 90 seconds.
Certainly, this matchup book, and I bring it up again now,
because three Superstars with one fall.
[Booker] Seven minutes remain, Vic.
[Vic] Two Superstars with zero, and you bring that up.
This is the ultimate battle of endurance and strategy.
It's truly a race against everything and everyone.
[Booker] There we go. There we go.
[Vic] Vaquer…
looking to get on the board, but so is Sinclair.
Able to kick out these three women.
-Ooh! -[Booker] Beautiful.
-Beautiful work there by Ruca. Wow! -[Vic] And you know what?
Sol Ruca was trying to double up, and if Sol would have gotten the pin,
she would have been up two decisions!
But the X-Factor landed.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Vic] Giulia with 44 seconds… 42 seconds, excuse me, and counting.
Giulia knows she's gotta get back into this match.
-Zaria! -[crowd cheering]
[Vic] Double moonsault.
Two for one.
Cover.
Still couldn't get on the board.
And Zaria would have taken the lead in that moment.
This moonsault doubled the trouble into another cover.
Another kick out this time by Ruca.
[crowd cheering]
-[crowd] Three, two, one! -[buzzer blaring]
[Vic] Well, Giulia's ready. Countdown's over.
She's back into it. We're at full force, full strength.
All five Superstars are here and ready
as we're approaching the final five minutes
of this Women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
Giulia, you're talking about doubling it up.
She's the only one standing. Oh, that was nasty.
[Booker] All she needs is one point to have to secure this whole thing.
[Vic] You're 100% right.
She knows she can be in the driver's seat with three more seconds,
as we now have five minutes exactly left.
Giulia, missile dropkick, senton, triple combination!
-Couldn't get it done. -[Booker] Oh, man!
[Giulia groans]
[Vic] You start to really think about
the strategy in this matchup.
If you're Wren Sinclair, if you're Zaria,
if you're Stephanie Vaquer, you've got to pick it up.
Wait a minute. Wren fell into the cover. That's how she qualified for this.
[Booker] Vic, is there a sudden death rule if we end up tied?
[Vic] Next fall is critical. And you know what?
I think we just continue to go on between the women
that are continuing to rock and roll.
Here into the cover goes Giulia to take full advantage.
Oh! But to your point, Booker, it's never happened before.
Vaquer, though, the "Dark Angel," the best luchadora in the world,
is now looking into the eyes of Giulia.
[Booker] What a thrust kick by Vaquer right there, Vic.
[Vic] This is that moment.
We stay in this stalemate as-- Oh.
So, Zaria coming right back in. Vaquer, Giulia.
I guess maybe they will work as a team for just a moment in time.
Double dropkicks, almost in stereo, and look who it comes back to.
But you gotta remember, Giulia the only one with a decision.
Big right by Giulia.
Vaquer trying to answer back.
[Booker] Oh, baby. Oh, baby. No, no, no.
[Vic] Looking for that SVB.
Was countered, though, for a moment. Giulia now front face lock.
Vaquer able to counter one more time.
Hoisting up Giulia and releasing her quickly.
Time of the essence.
We've seen this in the past. You don't get style points.
Vaquer's gotta get a point because, Booker,
look through, look at the clock.
Twenty-two minutes, three minutes are left,
and we got two women who don't have a fall.
Sinclair, Stephanie Vaquer.
[Booker] Oh, from the top, baby. Oh, wow!
[Vic] Double underhook suplex. Sol, splash.
Sol to take the lead. There's Zaria.
-[Zaria grunts] -[Vic] She can take the lead.
-[Booker] Man! -[Vic] German suplex.
-[Booker] Man, I thought… -[Vic] But there's Wren Sinclair!
…Ruca was gonna get a point right there.
[Vic] Wren doesn't have a point.
Wren just got caught, got rolled up, and got pinned again!
[Mike Rome] Stephanie Vaquer has scored a point.
-[Booker] Oh, man! -[Vic] And we got a four-way tie.
[Wren screaming]
[Vic] But for Sinclair, she's locked up in the penalty box
for less than 90 seconds.
There's just over 90 seconds left in this matchup.
Giulia with one,
Vaquer with one, Sol with one, and Zaria with one.
-[Booker] What a main event, Vic. -[Vic] Under two minutes to go.
-Which of these women… -[Booker] Whoa! That's it.
…will call themselves the women's Iron Survivor?
Big right from Giulia.
Giulia Vaquer trying to take out Sol.
Sol running by one, ran back in, got caught,
draped across that middle rope, fake kick, didn't connect.
Vaquer got caught up.
Forty seconds in, just over 40 seconds for Sinclair.
There's so much time,
there's so much bodies flying around, Booker.
I'm trying to keep focused with that double clothesline.
-[Booker] Talk about the talent, Vic. Wow! -[crowd] One, two…
[Vic] Vaquer able to kick out again.
Desperation has to be setting in for Wren Sinclair.
As I see her over here in the penalty box, banging on the glass.
Twenty seconds until she gets out. Just over a minute left in the match.
Penalty clock now at 15.
Who is going to hang on? Four women tied at one.
-One minute left. -[Booker] One minute!
[Vic] And you can feel the tension is rising.
-[crowd] Three, two, one! -[buzzer blaring]
[Vic] Wren's coming out, and Wren's gotta go for broke.
Wren just got caught.
Wren got sold out. Is it enough? We got a five-way tie.
[Mike Rome] Wren Sinclair has scored a fall.
[Vic] We got a five-way tie at one. We just got over 30 seconds.
-Inside cradle to do it again. -[crowd chanting]
-Whoa! -[Booker] Oh, no!
[Vic] Wren almost able to pull the upset.
-[Booker] Just like that, Vic. -[Vic] Double spear.
-[Booker] It's coming. -[Vic] Double spear, Zari is in control.
Twenty seconds left, down to 18.
Plants Sinclair, 15 seconds. Giulia Arrivederci-Ni.
-[crowd chanting] -[Booker] Whoa!
-[Vic] And it's goodbye Zaria. -[Mike Rome] Giulia has scored a point.
[Vic] Seven seconds, the Vaquer stacking her up, kick out.
Five seconds, three seconds!
-Time of the essence! -[bell ringing]
[Vic] The clock ran out.
Giulia survives.
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner and the new number one contender
to the NXT Women's Championship!
Giulia!
[Vic] I am absolutely out of breath.
I can only imagine what these five women feel like.
Because this matchup had elements of dominance, strategy,
preparation, and adaptation.
And one woman is celebrating.
Giulia, who in the final moments
was able to secure a golden opportunity.
-[Giulia grunts] -[Vic] That was that driver,
that Northern Lights bomb for Giulia. That got her her first decision.
And look, I picked on Wren Sinclair a lot.
Wren Sinclair right here got caught with that Sol Snatcher.
Sol Ruca was able to get a decision, get a fall.
Wren Sinclair spent more time in the penalty box than anyone else
in this matchup. Zaria came in, her power took over.
She was able to pick up a fall.
All the women in this matchup were able to do what they needed to do
in order to stay in this matchup into its final moments,
including Stephanie Vaquer.
At this juncture, Wren Sinclair was the only one who didn't have a fall.
She was able to come in out of the penalty box,
knowing that time was of the essence,
and secure a fall, which isolated and wiped out Sol Ruca.
In the end, bam, Zaria wiped out Sinclair. Boom! That devastating knee in crunch time
in the closing moments was the deciding factor.
for Giulia because time ran out as she was able to kick out
and the time ran out on Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, Sol Ruca who's in the penalty box,
and Wren Sinclair herself.
[Mike Rome] Here is your winner. And the new…
["Time of Arrival" playing]
[Vic] And let the celebration begin.
[crowd cheering]
[Vic] The beautiful madness is now the women's Iron Survivor.
She'll face Roxanne Perez at New Year's Evil
for the women's title.
Could a new year usher in a brand new era in NXT? n Survivor.