With the main brands of the WWE not having any PLEs in the month of December… We take a look this time at a big event happening in WWE’s developmental division, NXT. They do have a PLE happening around the holiday season, and it’s called NXT: Deadline. The event was filled with surprises in the ring, as well as out of it. Here are the top five moments from the show.
Shawn Michaels Opening The Show
Seeing as this was the final PLE for the WWE in the year 2023…it only made sense for the man with the plan to open up NXT: Deadline. The Heartbreak Kid seemed to be in high spirits when he entered the arena. He welcomed everyone to the event by saying the catchphrase that his former stable, DX, used to say…Are you ready?
Shawn Michaels having fun taking a selfie with CM Punk
CM Punk Makes An Appearance
As the leader of NXT, Shawn Michaels, was in the middle of the ring welcoming everyone to the event, the lightning rod himself made a special appearance to help Shawn Michaels start the show off right. This was a very fun back-and-forth between two very charismatic characters in CM Punk and Shawn Michaels. Before Punk left the WWE in 2012, you could tell that Shawn really was a huge fan of CM Punk, and this only reintroduced that belief even more many years later.
CM Punk backstage with Cora Jade
With CM Punk recently doing the unthinkable, and making an unexpected comeback and return to the WWE, something no one thought would ever be possible, he appeared to be having a blast in the middle of the ring surrounded by his faithful fans who supported him even when he wasn’t there for all those years in the arena. Shouting CM Punk’s name at the top of their lungs. Punk even wanted to take a selfie with Shawn Michaels. A very cool segment in the show to say the least.
Dominik Mysterio Continues To Rise
Even though Dominik Mysterio lost his North American Championship at NXT: Deadline, his overall growth as a heel and a fighter in the ring continues to improve greatly. I like the fact that he chews gum. It gives him more of a ‘I don’t care’ attitude. And to make his match against Dragon Lee more important, we saw Rey Mysterio, who was recovering from an injury, make an appearance alongside Dragon Lee. Rey eventually made his way to the announcer’s booth to do some commentary during the match between Lee and Dominik. I thought that Rey was doing good on commentary with Vic and Booker T.
Dominik Mysterio vs Dragon Lee
Tiffany Stratton Makes Her Presence Known
During the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge match, Tiffany Stratton once again showed everyone why she is the fastest-rising star in the NXT Women’s division. The crowd was behind her throughout the match. Her ring abilities are picking up pace, and it’s fun to watch. All the women in this match were solid and did their parts to make the match very impactful for everyone watching it.
Tiffany Stratton about to push Fallon Henley off the penalty box and onto the commentary’s booth
Bron Breakker Enters The Arena
If there was any doubt that Bron Breakker wasn’t an asset to the NXT brand, it was once proven again that he is a big part of the show during the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match. When he came into the ring…he unleashed a fury of spears onto his opponents and woke up the crowd as a result. The match picked up steam as well, all the way up to when Trick Williams won it. Speaking of Trick Williams, I also thought that he shined in this match as well.
Bron Breakker picking up a point in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match
There are my top five moments for WWE’s NXT: Deadline. With this PLE wrapping up the PLEs that happen in 2023 for the WWE, we now look forward to the Royal Rumble that happens next month in January.
