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WWE NXT will present Deadline this Saturday on Peacock and the WWE Network from Minneapolis, Minnesota with a 7:00 PM Eastern start time for the PPV. Here is our take on what will happen on Saturday.
Men's NXT World Championship: Trick Williams vs Ridge Holland
Mike: The drama as we write this is whether Trick will defend the title or not. I think he will and he'll play the injured babyface who fights the good fight and overcomes, retaining.
Richard: When you look at this match, my first thought is 'what happens next?' If Ridge Holland wins the title, is this the equivalent of Jack Swagger winning after a Money in the Bank cash in? Trick Williams has fallen into a rut, in my opinion, since he lost the title the first time and it feels like they want to wedge Trick into the title picture despite what might be best for the company. Trick is still over with the crowds, but is it more reaction to the entrance music and cliche promos? The segment on Tuesday didn't do much to make me more excited for this match. I expect Trick to retain but if the next title defense is at New Year's Evil, why not give Ridge the title for a few weeks? If this match is after the Iron Survivor match, maybe the winner will "pull a Sabre" and says that he wants his title match now and that person leaves Minneapolis with the title? The other minor question is whether Trick will or should be cleared to wrestle after being stretchered out of the Performance Center on Tuesday. There is no way he won't be there despite doctors telling him not to show up because Trick is for the people.
Women's Iron Survivor Match: Giulia vs Stephanie Vaquer vs Zaria vs Wren Sinclair vs Sol Ruca
Mike: These are long, complicated bouts, so I will look at who should go over for the best storyline purposes. That's Zaria to me, so that she can be the monster chasing Roxanne.
Richard: I was a bit surprised that Cora Jade did not win the Last Chance match to enter the match because she could have been 'protection' for Roxanne. It feels like three of the woman have a chance to win, while one is a kind of long shot and the other is a big upset. I hope this match will be booked differently than the men's match because we don't need both matches to be a copy of the other. Will the women work together because the only 'heelish' character in the match is Wren. Will Giulia and Stephanie put their friendship aside because the Women's title is at stake? What crazy spot will Sol do off the cell? How close will Wren come to pulling off the huge upset? I think this match will be the one that has the last minute change on top to give us the more compelling finish to the match. While I think Giulia or Stephanie is the expected winner, I am going to go with Zaria.
Men's Iron Survivor Match: Wes Lee vs Eddy Thorpe vs Nathan Frazer vs Je'Von Evans vs Ethan Page
Mike: I really would like to see Evans going over, but don't see him in that position yet. My gut is Ethan Page or Wes Lee. Lee would be the fresher challenger. I will go with Lee.
Richard: While there appear to be multiple options in the women's match, I feel like there is only one justified option to win this match. While that person is Ethan Page, I see Wes Lee next on the totem pole with the other three together near the bottom because Evans is too young at this time, Frazer is more a tag team wrestler (and is in a tag title match ON THIS SHOW), and Thorpe seems like he is there only to stir conflict with Ava and Shawn Michaels. Will Eddy even be in the match since he was 'injured' at the end of NXT. Because of the chasm between who should win and the rest, I would love for this to be a dominant victory for whoever ends up getting the title match. I think the biggest odds are with Frazer because he will be teaming with Axiom to defend the tag titles and where this match is placed can affect both matches. Will Frazer show that he really does care more about singles glory than the team and he goes all out in this match only to be unable or unwilling to give full effort in the tag match. Je'Von Evans wins the 'let's see what crazy spot he does during the match' award for this one (can he jump over the cage?) While I think Page wins, I would not be surprised if they go with Wes.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs No Quarter Catch Crew
Mike: Can't see a title change here.
Richard: Where this match takes place relative to the Men's Iron Survivor Match will determine who I think wins the match. If this match takes place before the Iron Survivor Match, I think there is a better chance that Frazer and Axiom retain the titles. If the Iron Survivor match happens before this match, I can see new champions being crowned because Frazer did too much in the 25 minute sprint. I would not have picked Heights and Borne to be the opponents but it felt like Tuesday was 'throw the No Quarter Catch Crew a bone' night since Wren fell into the Women's Iron Survivor Match. I think the contrast in styles will enhance this match. I think Axiom will get frustrated at Frazer for how disinterested he appears to be in the match. I am going to say that we get new champions at the end of the night.
NXT Underground Match: Jaida Parker vs Lola Vice
Mike: My gut is Vice wins here.
Richard: This is a battle of two women who need a win and a specific direction in their character. I will not go into the same amount of detail I did in my preview audio, it feels like NXT wants Lola to be a fighter but they always have her gyrating at all times instead. Jaida Parker was treated like a 'from the streets person who was never given anything' and then they do a video package about how she was a US National team caliber soccer player. I would rather see this on an episode of NXT instead of the PPV (maybe do it on the show in Lowell?) Lola should have the advantage because of her MMA career, but it feels like they want to strap the rocket to Jaida but are waiting for the confirmation that they can follow through.
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