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WWE NXT will present Deadline this Saturday on Peacock and Netflix from San Antonio, Texas with a 7:00 PM Eastern start time for the show. Here is what we think will happen.
Men's World Championship Match: Ricky Saints vs Oba Femi
Dave: This doesn't seem like the show to make the change, especially given the story to get here. Things start to heat up next month so this may be the beginning of how we get there.
Mike: I don't see a title change here. My gut is that Williams gets involved to set up a Triple Threat down the line, but there's no switch here.
Richard: So Oba was worn out having a long title reign and that is why he lost to Ricky? Who lets him say that? If he 'couldn't handle' a long title reign, he should never win a title again. Ricky is also saying things that a champion shouldn't be saying. He doesn't know if he can get Oba again? Why are we having this match? I think Oba is on his way to the main roster, even though he probably should have another 4 to 6 months in NXT. I think Oba has a bigger match next week on Saturday Night's Main Event. Ricky retains and then Trick Williams can complain about how he is not done with Ricky since he doesn't have the title back.
Women's Iron Survivor Match: Sol Ruca vs Kelani Jordan vs Jordynne Grace vs Kendal Grey vs Lola Vice
Dave: For some reason I see Vice coming out here. Why? She just seems to be the pick that makes the most sense to me at this time.
Mike: Kendal Grey is going to be one of the best women's stars on the main roster within 5 years from an athletic standpoint, but I don't see this being her time yet. I'm going with Grace on this one.
Richard: The winner of this match earns a World Title Match at New Year's Evil. Is the purpose of this match to give a new face a shot at the title or to give one of the regular challengers a different way to earn a title match? What was John Cena's criteria for picking these five women? Is it supposed to be the five best women or five women who should be showcased? It would be great if Kendal wins, but I think it is too soon. Jordan and Jordynne will neutralize each other as a result of their feud. I think Zaria does something to cost Sol the match and start their feud. That leaves Lola, who has been busy in AAA but hasn't really gotten a chance at the title in a while.
Men's Iron Survivor Match: Dion Lennox vs Leon Slater vs Je'Von Evans vs Joe Hendry vs Myles Borne
Dave: I believe in Joe Hendry!
Mike: I love Evans but they need to be careful not to overexpose him at this point. I can absolutely see Hendry getting the win here, with Borne as the dark horse.
Richard: The winner faces Oba or Ricky at New Year's Evil and the difference between this match and the women's is that someone gets to pick where they start in the match. Will Myles make the right decision and earn another title shot? I think he has a solid chance, but I think he falls short. Before I move on, the best news is that Trick Williams is not getting the title match from the Iron Survivor. Slater and Evans will hit many spectacular moves but they will not move on. Dion Lennox has relinquished his share of the tag titles so does this mean Dion moves to the next level? Probably not. That leaves Joe Hendry and at this point, why the heck not.
Men's North American Championship Match: Ethan Page vs Mr. Iguana
Dave: I love Iguana but Page is so good in his role. I keep the gold where it is.
Mike: I hope Ethan Page kidnaps the iguana like The Islanders kidnapped Mathilda the Dog. Page's work as a heel has been absolutely entertaining, like Eddie Gilbert and Steve Corino had a baby. Love Iguana's work, but don't see him getting a title win here.
Richard: How do you reward a man who commited grand theft auto on national television? Give him a title match. I don't think there is any way that Iguana wins, but with the show in Texas, he will probably get a bigger pop than anyone else they could have put him in the ring as an opponent. This shouldn't go too long because they could be reaching the oversaturation point with Iguana.
Tatum Paxley vs Izzi Dame
Dave: You can make the case for Dame winning her first big match but I put Paxley over if it's my call.
Mike: Dame needs to win the first match in the program. This is her biggest opportunity in NXT to date. The audience loves Paxley so they need to give her a few strong spots and then give her something to avenge after.
Richard: So Izzi was angry that Tatum didn't do what she wanted despite claiming she was the reason that Tatum was the champion and she cost Tatum the title. It feels like this is one of the seventeen pairs in NXT that are unified but don't like each other. Is Izzi the leader of the New Whatever Joe Gacy's faction was called since she has physically removed two members. If Izzi doesn't win, what does that say for her group? Tatum should win to get some momentum leading into an eventual rematch against Jacy. This is Izzi's biggest match and a victory would go a long way. I just do see it happening because it feels like Tatum has a higher upside at this time.
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