WWE fans have come to expect a great show from NXT’s premium live events. Now, they will have to wait a little bit longer for Battleground, but there is a good reason for it.
The NXT Battleground event is set to reportedly change dates from May 26th to June 9th. Furthermore, the location will also be shifted, with the event relocating from Savannah, GA to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
WWE NXT’s Battleground Plans Changing
SEScoops has learned that WWE is considering moving NXT Deadline to the UFC Apex venue. This will also push the event up a week.
WWE’s NXT brand has developed a reputation for putting on high-quality events, which is a tradition they’ve been developing for years. Now, it appears that fans in Las Vegas will get Battleground, but that won’t come without a change.
WrestleVotes noted that there is talk saying the NXT Battleground event will be rescheduled from May 26th to June 9th. Additionally, there will be a change in the location.
Hearing rumblings of a significant schedule change, I’m told the NXT Battleground event will be moving off May 26th to June 9th. With the location shifting as well as Savanna, GA will no longer host the show. NXT Battleground will take place live in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex.
WWE & UFC
The UFC Apex operates in Enterprise, Nevada. It’s owned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is part of TKO Group Holdings, and so is WWE. This facility hosts live events and production activities for the UFC, and now it will apparently host Deadline.
TKO Group Holdings merged WWE and UFC under Endeavor’s umbrella. There has been talk of WWE and UFC running events in the same city to create a destination event, and it appears that they may be starting to creep toward this idea with NXT Deadline in the UFC Apex.
There have been other UFC crossovers, like Michael Chandler showing up on WWE RAW to call out Conor McGregor. Fans should probably expect more things like that in the future.
WWE NXT Stand & Deliver
NXT Stand & Deliver will go down on April 6, during the afternoon before WrestleMania 40’s first night. The event will air on Peacock, and the WWE Network for fans outside the United States.
SEScoops will also have coverage of the event, so keep checking back for more updates. You can check out the updated card below.
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs: Triple threat match for the NXT North American Championship
Dragon Lee will be a fighting champion now that he holds the NXT North American Title, and his win has caught the attention of some stars outside of WWE.
This victory marks Lee’s first taste of WWE gold since joining the promotion in late 2022. Speaking in an NXT Digital Exclusive, the new champion was asked how he feels.
“How do I feel? I feel very happy. You know, I don’t even know if I can find the exact words to explain to you how I feel. Me siento como un campeón (I feel like a champion.) I’m ready for the next challenge. Whoever [is next, I’m ready].”
Lee was also asked about Rey Mysterio, who announced the match during the go-home WWE NXT before Deadline.
“Rey Mysterio supports me. That means the world. That means a lot. My superhero… Thank you Rey, this is for all my people.”
AEW Stars React
Dragon Lee is the new NXT North American Champion but he isn’t the only member of his family to wrestle. On Twitter, AEW’s Rush made it clear that he is immensely proud of his brother.
Dragon Lee is very happy to be the new NXT North American Champion, but Dominik Mysterio isn’t happy. Click here to check out the ex-Champion’s reaction.
NXT Superstar Cora Jade has reunited with CM Punk, years after the pair met for the first time back when Jade was just a fan.
Punk helped kick off last night’s NXT Deadline event with an in-ring segment with NXT head Shawn Michaels. Punk grabbed a selfie with the Showstopper and teased signing with NXT instead of Raw or SmackDown on the main roster.
Cora Jade and CM Punk Reunite
WWE NXT Deadline also saw the return of Cora Jade, who appeared during the show to attack reigning NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. Recently, a video went viral of a young Jade, years before she joined WWE, being overcome with emotion at meeting CM Punk. During a backstage interview with Jade, Punk made sure that the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion knows he is proud of how far she has come.
While Punk didn’t mention Jade by name during his WWE NXT Deadline appearance, the former AEW & WWE World Champion did say that there had been some wrestlers backstage who spoke about growing up watching Punk in the ring.
What’s Next?
Based on what happened at Deadline, it’s clear that Jade has her sights set on Lyra Valkyria and the NXT Women’s Championship. With that said Blair Davenport has a guaranteed shot at the champion due to winning the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge. As for CM Punk, he will announce on next week’s Raw which brand he will be signing with.
What did those backstage make to CM Punk being at WWE NXT Deadline? Click here to find out.
‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio was far from pleased with the lack of The Judgment Day’s help at last night’s NXT Deadline event.
At last night’s event, Mysterio lost the NXT North American Championship to Dragon Lee while Dominik’s father Rey was on commentary. This match gives Lee his first taste of WWE championship gold, and he and Rey celebrated after the match.
Dominik Reacts to His Title Loss
In a rarity, Dominik was by his lonesome at last night’s Deadline show and had none of his Judgment Day allies. Speaking in an NXT Digital Exclusive after the match, Mysterio questioned why he had no help at ringside.
“You all saw what happened to me out there. I am the greatest NXT North American Champion that’s ever been. Dragon Lee. My deadbeat dad. Where’s Judgment Day? Where’s Finn? Where’s Damian? JD? Mami? You know what? I’m going to go home to Mami because Judgment Day runs all and this shouldn’t be happening!”
This loss presumably marks the end of Dominik Mysterio’s time as part of WWE NXT. Mysterio leaves the gold brand a two-time North American Champion with a combined 141 days with the title. Lee is one of three men to have held the title more than once, the others being two-time Champion Carmelo Hayes and three-time Champion Johnny Gargano. During his run in NXT, Mysterio made history by headlining Raw, SmackDown, and NXT in the same week.
Wes Lee was supposed to challenge Dominik Mysterio at NXT Deadline, but that didn’t happen. Click here to find out why.
Izzi Dame has put the whole NXT roster on notice via Twitter after making a surprising appearance at NXT Deadline PLE on Saturday night.
The latest NXT event featured a Women’s Steel Cage match between Roxanne Perez and Kiana James. It was a physical affair with both women giving everything they had to try and win the fight.
Towards the ending of the bout, James introduced a steel chair into the match but Perez got hold of it. Perez then tried to escape the cage but Izzi Dame made a surprise appearance and smashed the cage door into her head.
The distraction from Izzi allowed James to pick up the win. It appears that these two NXT stars have formed an alliance as Dame later posted some photos on Twitter and warned the whole NXT locker room:
A former volleyball player Izzi Dame made her NXT debut in May this year. She has been competing at NXT House Shows trying to get as much experience in the ring as possible.
The 24-year-old also competed in the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament back in October. Though she was eliminated in the first round by Kelani Jordan.
The latest NXT Deadline appearance suggests that Dame has impressed the NXT officials with her work ethic and we can expect to see more of her in coming time.
WWE brought their final premium live event of the year with Deadline, and there were a few surprises. Fans expected to see Cora Jade end her long absence from the ring, and that is exactly what happened.
Blair Davenport won the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge match, and that means she is next in line to face Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women’s Title. After that big win, Lyra came out to stare her new challenger down.
Suddenly, Cora Jade showed up and clocked Lyra Valkyria from behind. She laid out the NXT Women’s Champion, and she picked up her title for good measure.
After Cora Jade posed with the NXT Women’s Title for a bit, they made it very clear on commentary that Cora Jade is back. This ends a very long hiatus from the ring.
Cora Jade was spotted backstage at NXT Deadline. It was expected that she would end her hiatus from the ring tonight, and that is exactly what happened. Now, she is back, and gunning for the NXT Women’s Title once again.
Cora Jade’s last match took place on July 25, 2023, where she faced Dana Brooke in a Kendo Stick match. Dana Brooke won that match, and Jade walked out of the locker room a short time later. Dana Brooke was later released by WWE. Cora Jade isn’t getting that win back against Dana Brooke, but she may have her sights on a larger prize.
We will have to see what is next for Cora Jade after her surprising return. Keep it tuned with us at SE Scoops for more updates.
What’s your take on Cora Jade making her way back to NXT at Deadline? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media!
Dominik Mysterio has held the NXT North American Title since October 3rd, when he beat Trick Williams. He carried the North American Title proudly, as a member of Judgment Day, on every WWE brand. That reign came to an end at NXT Deadline.
With Rey Mysterio at ringside on commentary, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee gave it their all. In the end, Dragon Lee picked up the big win over Dirty Dom.
It should be noted that Judgment Day members were not around ringside for this match. They called attention to that on commentary as well. Odds are, Dominik Mysterio will figure out some way to excuse this loss.
This win is interesting, because Dragon Lee was called up to the SmackDown brand already. The NXT North American Champion is still a main roster Superstar, but it is no longer Dirty Dom.
After Dragon Lee won the NXT North American Title, he celebrated with Rey Mysterio at ringside. Mr. 6-1-9 was very happy by the result of this match, even if it meant his son had to lose.
CM Punk shocked the WWE Universe when he returned at Survivor Series. He was on the December 8th episode of SmackDown, where he made an interesting remark about linking up with Shawn Michaels before he made his way to RAW next week. Fans didn’t have to wait long to see him on Deadline.
It was previously reported that CM Punk missed his flight, so he was in town for Deadline. That appearance was certainly a notable one.
Shawn Michaels opened the NXT Deadline premium live event, and he took the ring with a lot of energy. Then he asked fans if they are ready, and that is when CM Punk’s music hit.
CM Punk joined Shawn Michaels in the ring, and it was quite an experience. The two took a moment and even joked about the fact that Punk was wearing a Bret “Hitman” Hart hoodie. CM Punk said he forgot his HBK merch at home.
The two took a selfie together in the ring, because CM Punk said that people were taking pictures with him backstage all day, while they told him that he is their hero. Punk said it was only fitting that they snap that selfie in the ring with one of his own heroes.
CM Punk hyped his decision about which brand he will sign with on the December 11th episode of WWE RAW. Fans were very excited to see him open up Deadline, no matter which brand he ends up with on Monday.
Shawn Michaels and CM Punk were all smiles as they closed out the segment. This was a short opening for Deadline, but it certainly popped the crowd to see the Second City Savior and the Heartbreak Kid in the ring together.
What’s your take on CM Punk’s NXT Deadline appearance? Let us know what you think by engaging on social media!
WWE NXT Deadline is scheduled exclusively for wrestlers from the NXT brand division and is set to occur on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We will have full coverage, and this article may contain a big spoiler for the show.
CM Punk already teased an appearance at NXT Deadline tonight. We will have to see if the Second City Savior shows up, but he did make a remark about talking to Shawn Michaels before he makes his brand decision on the December 11th episode of WWE RAW.
Fightful Select reports that a return was discussed for tonight’s show. Specifically, Cora Jade was planned to make an appearance after the Iron Survivor Women’s match as of this evening.
Cora Jade has been absent from NXT TV for several months, and it was reported that her titantron and music were both tested at the venue today. This will be exciting for fans who missed her on NXT television.
During Cora Jade’s absence from NXT, she missed significant events, including Becky Lynch’s reign as NXT Women’s Champion and the Iron Survivor Challenge match. As she returns, Cora Jade aims to catch up on the happenings she missed during her time away from NXT television.
It was previously reported that Cora Jade’s WWE NXT was expected. It appears that she will be around for Deadline. It will be interesting to see how they work her into the show, because she is not booked for a match.
Cora Jade’s last match took place on July 25, 2023, where she faced Dana Brooke in a Kendo Stick match. Dana Brooke won that match, and Jade walked out of the locker room a short time later. Dana Brooke was later released by WWE, so it looks like Cora Jade isn’t getting that win back.
What’s your take on Cora Jade’s impending return? Let us know what you think by engaging on social media.
Could CM Punk make an appearance at tonight’s WWE NXT Deadline event? It’s possible according to the Best in the World.
WWE NXT Deadline will take place at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT, and will be NXT’s final major event of the year. This will be the second-annual NXT Deadline event and like last year’s show, will feature the Iron Survivor Challenge.
CM Punk at WWE NXT Deadline?
WWE NXT Deadline is set to feature some of the very top talent from the gold brand, and could also feature CM Punk. On Instagram, Punk said that a missed flight meant he’s currently in Bridgeport and asked if fans have any idea what he should do. To hammer the point home, WWE’s free agent posed in front of a giant Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Punk’s last appearance at an NXT event came following an episode of the gold brand in August 2012. In a dark match, Punk (the WWE Champion at the time) teamed with then-NXT Champion Seth Rollins to defeat Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno, who teamed for years prior to WWE as the Kings of Wrestling. You can check out Punk’s most recent NXT appearance below.
WWE NXT Deadline
Here is the card for WWE NXT Deadline as it currently stands:
Axiom vs. Nathan Frazer (Kick-Off Show)
Dijak vs. Trick Williams vs. Josh Briggs vs. Bron Breakker vs. Tyler Bate (Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge)
Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley (Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge)
“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (c) (with Rhea Ripley) vs. Dragon Lee (with Rey Mysterio) (WWE NXT North American Championship)
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Baron Corbin (WWE NXT Championship)
Wes Lee was supposed to compete at NXT Deadline, but that is no longer the case. Click here to find out why.
WWE Superstars give their all in the ring, but they all have a personal life at home. Sadly, Baron Corbin didn’t have a great update to share recently, as he just suffered a great personal loss.
Baron Corbin is known for sharing glimpses of his personal life, whether it be his grilling exploits, or sharing a good cigar. He lives quite a good life after years of work in WWE, but the Lone Wolf’d most recent post was not a happy one.
Baron Corbin recently shared sad news on his Instagram. He posted about the passing of his cherished dog, Xander. He also included a caption that explained how Xander was not just a pet but a best friend, companion, and protector to Corbin and his family.
”Big man Xander left us yesterday and it has crushed our world. He was a best friend, companion, protector, pain in the butt, supportive, bed hog,funny, and so many more things but most of all he gave you unconditional love 24/7. Him and my children shared a bond like no other. We will all miss everything about him even his horrible breath when he liked your face. Hopefully where ever his spirit has gone they serve a5 steak bc he can be a little bougie. I could write and write and turn this into a novel about him, but I will just say thank you for being the best dog to us for nearly 10 yrs!!!! There will never be Another Xander!!”
The WWE free agent also included photos of Xander, resting, and getting lots of love as well. This was certainly an emotional post for Baron Corbin to share, especially on the eve of such an important match in his career.
Baron Corbin will face Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship at the NXT Deadline Premium Live Event on December 9th. Corbin plans to dedicate the match to his dog, Xander. We will have to see if he pulls down the big win for his old friend.
We’re sending out our best to Baron Corbin, and his entire family. This must be a difficult time for Corbin, but he has a ton of memories of Xander to cherish for the rest of his life.
What’s your take on this sad update from Baron Corbin? Can you relate to his loss? Let us know what you think by engaging with us on social media!
NXT is back with a PLE and it comes in the form of last year’s surprise success story — NXT Deadline. NXT Deadline will air live on Peacock from the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut Saturday night and features year two of the Iron Survivor Challenge matches that debuted as last year’s show.
The Iron Survivor Challenge bouts are the hook for this show. The concept is a good one, but this year’s lineup in the specialty match leaves a lot to be desired and doesn’t hide the outcome very well. WWE wants these matches to matter a lot because the winner of them earns an NXT title shot, but the field simply isn’t full with talent that audiences can actually buy as a title contender.
The matches surrounding the Iron Survivor Challenge’s are MID at best. There likely will be some strong in-ring work throughout, but the title defenses lack drama and would fit perfectly on a hyped New Year’s Evil level NXT television show.
Call this a preview, a calm look into the distant future, or a gaze into a wondrous crystal ball; just don’t hold me to anything, ok?
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge 2023
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Lash Legend vs. Blair Davenport vs. Fallon Henley – Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge
It’s pretty much Tiffany Stratton against a bunch of up and coming talent in this one. Stratton will carry the load of the action here, but in order for this to be a success someone else will have to step up. I’ll say it’s Davenport. She’s a skilled wrestler that could thrive in an environment like this one. She won’t win, but she could turn a lot of heads due to her performance if it goes well. As for Jordan, Legend, and Henley — they kinda are just there. All three could elevate their stock with a strong match, but I haven’t seen enough to believe it will actually happen.
Prediction: Tiffany Stratton
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King
NXT took a big swing and whiffed badly with Lexis King. King was a highly touted signee and got the full production run around for his debut, but then has stunk the joint out upon premiering. King seems extremely disconnected from his gimmick and has not found a way to organically resonate with the audience. The in-ring work with him hasn’t been anything of note either.
So, what do you do? If Hayes beats him, King pretty much is done. He’s that cold and this loss would be that definitive. If he wins, he beats one of the biggest stars NXT has to offer. Not a great choice either given he hasn’t clicked to this point.
Shawn Michaels has to give him the win and he will. If you saddle King with a loss he has no chance of recovering. Hayes is slated for the main roster anyway and can hold the L — especially if he’s protected a little with the Trick Williams storyline in the end.
Prediction: Lexis King
Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee
Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee – NXT North American Championship
Lee has joined the match due to Wes Lee’s back injury and is going to be rewarded with winning the North American Championship. It’s time. Mysterio did a nice job of making this title and the title helped make him, but it’s time. They don’t need each other anymore. Plus, Rey Mysterio has publicly advocated for Dragon Lee. You just don’t do that if Lee is going to take a loss. Mysterio’s guy goes over his son here and makes for a fun moment on the show.
Prediction: Dragon Lee
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James
Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James – Steel Cage Match
This has been one of the best built matches on the show and I’ll go out on a limb and say it’ll be the match of the night too. Perez and James have a multi-month feud going here that has culminated with this stipulation match. The two women have cost the other opportunities, so this makes sense and is coming at the right time. James could use a big win, but unless Perez is going up to the main roster this week, she ultimately will get the W because it’s the kind of feud that the babyface should win.
Prediction: Roxanne Perez
Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin
Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin – NXT Championship
Ehhhhh. What is there really to say about this one? Nobody believes Baron Corbin is winning this one. Corbin has actually done a nice job carrying his end of the program and building up some heat in the rivalry, but the payoff just isn’t intriguing. Corbin is around for Dragunov to beat an everyone knows it.
Prediction: Ilja Dragunov
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
Bron Breakker vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs vs. Tyler Bate vs. Trick Williams – Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge
So, the men’s match has a little more fire power than the women’s match does — no question there. The winner might be even more obvious. Look, Breakker is someone you’d have to look at, but he’s on the main roster trajectory at this point. Plus, he’s faced Dragunov already. Been there, done that. He isn’t winning. Tyler Bate? I mean, no. Right? Babyface vs. babyface coming out of this for the title doesn’t work. Josh Briggs? Nothing against, the guy, but no. He’s a tag wrestler right now and hasn’t shown enough to be considered for a top of the card singles run. Trick Williams is a possibility, but again, do you want babyface Williams against babyface Dragunov? It’s not ideal. Plus, Williams has a stronger story going on with Carmelo Hayes and for as big as a title match would be for him, Williams vs. Hayes is bigger.
So, that leaves Dijak and he’s your winner. Raise your hand if you’re underwhelmed! All the hands went up right? It is underwhelming, but it makes sense too. NXT clearly isn’t trying to make a star with this match this year. They want to run with the concept, but then walk out of the show with limited responsibility to payoff the winner with a title win. In that world, Dijak is the guy. He’s a strong heel for Dragunov, but is also a heel that Dragunov can dust. Boom.
Cora Jade broke out as a star worth paying attention to in NXT, but she hasn’t been around since August. That break for Cora Jade is likely going to end very soon.
Cora Jade has missed a lot during her time away from NXT. Becky Lynch had a reign as NXT Women’s Champion, and she also missed the Iron Survivor Challenge match. Cora Jade has been away from NXT television for long enough at this point.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that Cora Jade’s hiatus from WWE television is expected to end “imminently.” She is expected to be back this weekend, which is perfect timing for Deadline.
“Cora Jade is scheduled to return imminently, expected to be this weekend.”
WWE NXT will take place on Saturday, December 9, at 7:30 PM in the Total Mortgage Arena located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. We will have coverage here at SEScoops, and Cora Jade’s return to NXT television may just go down during that event.
Cora Jade’s most recent match took place on July 25, 2023, as she faced off against Dana Brooke in a Kendo Stick match. Dana Brooke won that battle, and Jade walked out of the locker room a short time later. Dana Brooke was later released by WWE, so it looks like Cora Jade isn’t getting that win back.
Cora Jade and Bron Breakker are still in a relationship, and she’s been very active on social media. Many fans may notice a change in Cora Jade’s appearance after her return, but odds are she will have even more determination to reach the top of WWE’s third brand.
Do you miss Cora Jade on NXT television? Should she come back and go right after the NXT Women’s Title? Let us know what you think by engaging on social media!
Fightful reports that WWE filed a trademark for the term ‘NXT Deadline’ on October 15.
The trademark reads as follows.
“NXT DEADLINE trademark registration is intended to cover the categories of entertainment services, namely, a show about professional wrestling; entertainment services, namely, the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered live and through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information.”
WWE has not commented publicly on plans for NXT Deadline or how the show will differ from the main NXT two-hour weekly show.
The NXT Brand
There’s no word on when NXT Deadline will arrive on our screens, but the project is just the latest endeavor of the NXT brand.
In 2017, WWE started its NXT UK brand, which ended in August to make way for NXT Europe.