This Saturday will be NXT’s annual Deadline PLE. The PLE is known for the Iron Survivor Challenge, an innovative match type that has risen is popularity since it was introduced. The match starts with two wrestlers in the ring. After five minutes, a new wrestler enters, and the process continues until five people are competing. Getting pinned or submitted means a 90 second break inside the penalty box. The wrestler with the most falls at the end of twenty five minutes gets a guaranteed title match at New Year’s Evil. This year, ten great wrestlers are competing for two title matches at Deadline. Every one of them deserved a title match, but two stand out above the rest.
The Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge competitors are all incredible wrestlers. Dion Lennox has been an integral part of DarkState. Je’Von Evans is surely destined for greatness given his age and accomplishments so far. Joe Hendry is obviously a fan favorite to the NXT crowd. Leon Slater, like Evans, has been unstoppable in his young career. Finally, Myles Borne has done well since leaving No Quarter Catch Crew.
They all have compelling reasons as to why they should get the title match. But the guy that needs the win the most is Evans. At 21, he has faced tremendous tests and came out on the other side more impressive than ever. In less than two years, he has faced main roster talent like Gunther and Randy Orton, competed for many different championships facing stars like Oba Femi and Trick Williams, and captivated the audience with electrifying moves. His many appearances on the AAA and the main roster show that he isn’t afraid of wrestling in front of thousands of people. Winning the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge is the first step to making him NXT Champion, a title he’s deserved to hold for a long time.
The women competing on Saturday are all very impressive as well. Jordynne Grace had a great run in TNA, showing off highly hyped athleticism and talent in NXT. Kelani Jordan’s multiple title reigns have shown she has the skills to hold championship gold. Kendal Grey has had an electrifying run on Evolve. Lola Vice has impressed in both NXT and AAA. Finally, Sol Ruca has also been a solid champion during her title reigns.
It might be tough to determine who deserves the title match the most out of the five women. But there’s one woman who hasn’t held a title yet during her time in NXT. Vice has been extremely overdue for a title reign, and now is the perfect time to crown her. She has had multiple chances at grabbing gold, but hasn’t been successful. Given what happened during her last endeavor, she deserves the win more than anyone else. Getting attacked by Lainey Reid at No Mercy ended any chance of getting Jacy Jayne’s NXT Women’s Championship. Jayne lost it to Tatum Paxley, but regained it since then. Having her win would avenge her loss at No Mercy while giving her championship gold for the first time if she wins against Jayne.
This Saturday at Deadline, ten amazing wrestlers will compete for two spots in championship matches to be contested at New Year’s Evil. It will certainly come down to the very end in order to determine the winners. But right now, two stand above the rest for good reason. Je’Von Evans has captivated the audience and impressed in significant spots. He deserves a title match to propel NXT into a new era once call ups happen. Lola Vice has gotten so close to a title reign, but hasn’t found success. The circumstances surrounding her last title match will motivate her to win and the fans to cheer her on. Evans and Vice would be the perfect winners of the Iron Survivor Challenge this Saturday, as both deserve runs as NXT and NXT Women’s Champion.