Debuting at NXT: Deadline is an experimental match called The Iron Survivor Challenge. While the results and reception to this match remains to be seen, this is a chance to really boost some talents up to becoming the new faces of NXT.
Zoey Starks vs Cora Jade vs Roxanne Perez vs Kiana James vs Indi Hartwell- Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
There is a lot of talent in this match but not much in terms of star power. There are some fan favorites and a few hated heels but I think that for the first match of this kind for the women, that they needed more known names in the match.
The issue with this is that the way that NXT’s women’s division has been gutted over the past year or so, there are no women that is actually built up that we would say could actually be a challenge to Mandy Rose.
There is a clear obvious choice on who I think will win and that is who I’m going to go with, but there are some other women in the match that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Zoey Starks clearly has something else going on storyline wise and I don’t think she will win. Cora Jade is cool but I think that she needs some more time in the ring before she is put into the women’s championship picture.
Roxanne Perez would be my second thought to win, but I think that she could use a few more wins before she challenge. Kiana James is talented but she is too new to even think about defeating Mandy Rose.
This leaves us with Indi Hartwell. I know that she has been in NXT for a long time and people want to see her on the main roster. I also think that the only way to save Dexter Lumis is to give him a mouth piece to play off of and who better than his “wife”?
I think that after WrestleMania, Mandy Rose and Toxic Attraction is done with NXT and the women’s division will need an experienced performer to step in and take her place.
Even if it is just for a short period, I think that Indi Hartwell will be the person for that job.
Winner: Indi Hartwell
Carmelo Hayes vs JD McDonagh vs Grayson Waller vs Joe Gacy vs Axiom- Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
This is a big one because there are two clear winners in this match. Carmelo Hayes and JD McDonagh. I think that the other three men are there to try to put on great performances and get noticed while losing.
The wrestler that I think will gain the most from this match is Axiom. He is a Spanish wrestler that has some serious talent, but not much in the way of win-loss record. He is one of the three wrestlers that I don’t think should be getting a shot at the NXT championship anytime soon.
Being the only babyface in this match, I can see him taking most of the heat but getting the best hope spots. His performance in this match will set him up for a future NXT North American title shot.
Grayson Waller is another person who I don’t think should have a shot at the NXT championship… yet. I can see him doing more with the North American title before getting into the NXT Championship picture.
Joe Gacy is one of the few people in NXT that I haven’t been particularly impressed with their in ring work but their character work has been great. He is good on the mic and plays his character to the letter. He is kind of floating somewhere around the NXT title picture but he has already had his chance.
JD is someone that is the full package and I could see winning it all. He recently had a shot at the NXT World title but came up short. He is still fresh to the NXT product and while I think he would be a great person to win, there is no rush to put the title on him.
This brings us to the man, Carmelo Hayes. Many people think that he should already be on the main roster, and fair enough, but he should’ve been had at least one run with the NXT World Championship by now.
I think that Melo will be the one to win and go to the NXT event WrestleMania weekend to defeat Apollo Crews.
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
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