And just like that, the 2023 PLE calendar faded to black. Looking back, it was a strong year for WWE on Peacock, but the NXT Deadline event that aired live on the streaming platform over the weekend from Bridgeport, CT didn’t quite stack up in terms of in-ring action, news, or out of the ring drama.
Now, the show had some high points, which included the very fun and innovative Iron Survivor Challenge matches, but the rest of the card came and went with a whimper. And what can you really expect with Baron Corbin holding down the main event in a main event championship match?
Here are my Brass Ring Ratings for the show and here’s how they work … I call it like I see it. Period.
Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee - NXT North American Championship
On the low end of expectations. The story of the match was essentially non-existent due to the fact that Mysterio was originally supposed to wrestle Wes Lee. That match had loads of build and history behind it, but this one just fizzled. They hit some spots here and there, but the crowd was only semi interested — even when the title change happened. With Dominik Mysterio positioned as such a heat magnet these days across both NXT and Raw, this should have been a bigger moment.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/2
Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley vs. Blair Davenport vs. Lash Legend vs. Kelani Jordan - Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
A strong match for some unproven talents. Davenport won the match and seemed to be the veteran glue that held everything together, but it was the fire from Henley and Jordan that made this tick. Early in the match, the women made a point to secure pins, which played into the match gimmick and the tone centered around maintaining a high level of consistent action throughout. The Tiffany Stratton Swanton Bomb off the top of the penalty box was the big spot of the bout and it was well-timed. Henley was the stand out talent. She seemed hell bent on having a good showing and while she took the definitive pin, she surely opened some eyes backstage, which may land her more opportunities down the road.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
Yikes. This wasn’t good and if someone (King) can’t have a good match with Hayes, it’s mostly on the shoulders of that someone (King). Lexis King simply doesn’t have a feel for the character he’s playing out there and doesn’t have the in-ring ability to mask the character deficiencies. The loss doesn’t help audience perception of him either.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - O 1/2
Trick Williams vs. Dijak vs. Bron Breakker vs. Josh Briggs vs. Tyler Bate - Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
Another very good, exciting Iron Survivor Challenge and the match of the night, but very different from the women’s match earlier in the show. This match was built around the babyface comeback with the sole benefactor being Williams. The entire match revolved around Williams appearing down and out, but then clawing back and winning. Dijak, Breakker, Briggs, and Bate all played their role within that narrative. When it time came to fire up, Williams was there with energy and a quick pace to keep the audience on his side. They popped like the match wanted them too once he won the match and now Williams is slated for a shot at the title. Thumbs way up on the storytelling.
Briggs had a decent showing in this seeing as he’s typically a tag team guy and Bron Breakker was also impressive — this time with the bright light not shining on him. Dijak and Bate did their thing when called upon, but didn’t stand out in a meaningful way.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO 1/4
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James - Steel Cage Match
Not good. Not good at all. Perez and James built this match well and seemed to have a strong rivalry, but did not click once the bell rang. The cage was ignored almost entirely and everything that happened in terms of moves and spots felt disjointed and off. The match only went 11 minutes, but it felt like 20. Perez is going to get a pass here because she has history and a backlog of good matches. James likely won’t get the same pass. This was a chance for her to step up her game and she very much didn’t.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - O
Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin - NXT Championship
Ehh. The match itself was fine, but nobody believed that Corbin had a shot in hell of winning the title. Because of that reality, every near fall fell on deaf ears in the audience and the match just couldn’t sustain any momentum or drama. Dragunov is a good worker and it seems like NXT wants the brand built around him for the time being. I still don’t see it. A good worker is one thing, but a main event champion is something else. He’s missing the “it” factor and it hurt here.