The November 26 edition of WWE NXT continued to build toward the brand's final premium live event of the year, Deadline.

NXT is still reeling from the massive result of the main event last week. Andre Chase bet the fate of Chase U once again, but he lost it to Ridge Holland, who also became the new No. 1 contender to Trick Williams' NXT Championship. How would all those involved react?

In the latest Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers, "All Ego" Ethan Page fought Axiom, while Giulia and Kelani Jordan locked up for the first time.

Fallon Henley defended the Women's North American Championship against Tatum Paxley, and Tony D'Angelo put the North American Championship on the line against Shawn Spears.

This was set to be a loaded night of action for NXT that would continue to build to an exciting Deadline on December 7.

Iron Survivor Qualifier: 'All Ego' Ethan Page vs. Axiom (w/ Nathan Frazer)

After a recap of last week, Ridge Holland mockingly came out to the Chase U music. He started with "I told you so" before delivering a warning to Trick Williams for Deadline.

Then, "All Ego" Ethan Page fought through the tough offense of Axiom and caught him on the top rope for an Ego's Edge to win.

After the win, Nathan Frazer interrupted All Ego during an impromptu interview followed by Wes Lee and Je'Von Evans, all claiming future victory in the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Two of the best wrestlers in NXT fought for the first time and delivered as expected. This was an exciting match that was consistently smooth. Both men looked like main roster talent throughout.

Page did not need this win, but it certainly confirmed he will remain a main event talent, even if Trick is out of his sights.

The field for the Iron Survivor Challenge is interesting so far but heavily favors Lee as the fresh heel still looking for a shot at Trick.

Result

Page def. Axiom by pinfall to qualify for the men's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

• Multiple tag teams watched this match backstage.
• Axiom moved through a series of submissions from a sleeper hold to a guillotine, but Page kept fighting it off and transitioned into a backbreaker.
• Page goaded Frazer into discounting Axiom as his tag team partner.
• The tag team division funneled out to remind the champions that everyone wanted a shot before another brawl started.
• The brawl continued in the parking lot. Officials intervened after a car had been destroyed with multiple men thrown through windows.
• The brawl continued inside, even after NXT general manager Ava announced a No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal for next week.
  

Lola Vice vs. Wren Sinclair (w/ Charlie Dempsey)

Wren Sinclair targeted and attacked the left arm of Lola Vice throughout this match, but it only took one spinning back fist to seal victory for Vice.

Afterward, Vice challenge Jaida Parker to an NXT Underground match.

These two women have impressed in moments in NXT, but this was not the best outing for either competitor.

In particular, Sinclair was in control yet did not execute her offense well. She relied on a series of flat offensive maneuvers to target the arm over her usual moves.

It would have worked better for Vice to simply dominate rather than escape with the win.

She certainly needed to win, but she did not look like the dangerous force ready for NXT Underground.

Result

Vice def. Sinclair by pinfall.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

• In the locker room, Sinclair questioned why Vice was obsessed with Parker, which did not sit well with Vice, setting up a match.
• Dempsey was again the sole member of No Quarter Catch Crew in Sinclair's corner.
  
• Backstage, Ashante "Thee" Adonis admitted he texted Nikkita Lyons (because he texted everyone), which did not sit well with Karmen Petrovic.
  

North American Championship: Tony D'Angelo (c) vs. Shawn Spears

Shawn Spears immediately went after the injured left knee of Tony D'Angelo. Despite the best efforts of The Chairman, though, The Don picked up the victory with a spinebuster.

Afterward, Spears, Brooks Jensen and third man Nico destroyed D'Angelo. Adriana Rizzo looked on helpless.

This wasn't the most exciting match to watch. The Don did a great job selling his knee becoming a bigger issue throughout.

However, Spears never pushed the pace, so the finish came out of nowhere. There was no point that The Chairman came off as a real threat to win.

Perhaps the two were holding back for a rematch, but the expectations for this rivalry are low based on early results.

Result

D'Angelo def. Spears by pinfall to retain the NXT North American Championship

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

• Backstage, D'Angelo told Rizzo that the rest of The Family was busy with business and would not come out for this contest.
• Jensen praised Spears' perfect strategy to get a title match.
• The Chairman entered with his chair and a unique red mask.
  

Iron Survivor Qualifier: Giulia vs. Kelani Jordan

Kelani Jordan brought the fight to Giulia, but The Beautiful Madness was more experienced than her opponent. A Northern Lights bomb sealed the victory.

Backstage afterward, Ava announced Last Chance Fatal 4-Way matches between the men and women who failed to qualify to determine the final entrants for the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Jordan and Giulia wrestled this like a main event struggle, getting scrappier than the typical Jordan match. It was nice to see Lani show a different side of her work in a unique matchup.

In fact, for stretches, she leaned heel, even delivering a glare to Giulia post-match. This could be a tease that goes nowhere, but it could also set up an interesting test for the former champion in a fresh role.

Jordan is the most likely woman to win the Last Chance qualifier, but if she did lose on top of failing to recapture the Women's North American Championship, she might turn on the "newcomers" to the brand.

Giulia remains one of NXT's best signings and should be the favorite to win the Iron Survivor Challenge, though that is much more competitive with so many fresh opponents for Roxanne Perez.

Result

Giulia def. Jordan by pinfall to qualify for the women's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

A-

Notable Moments

• A show of respect broke down quickly with both looking for a quick win.
  
• Giulia countered the first split-legged moonsault by slipping outside and grabbing her rival's leg.
• She countered the second into a triangle choke that Giulia held for over a minute until Jordan turned it into a powerbomb.
• The Prodigy watched closely backstage.
  

Eric Bischoff Promises to Bring Controversy to Trick Williams vs. Ridge Holland

Trick Williams promised that Ridge Holland would not win the NXT Championship because it would mean the end of the brand.

Holland said he did not care if NXT was destroyed.

Eric Bischoff interrupted via satellite to advise both men he would be at NXT next week and would stir the pot between them even more.

This was an odd escalation tactic for Trick vs. Holland after already sacrificing Chase U to get the latter over. The former Raw GM has no clear reason to get involved beyond being a man who "causes controversy."

This is a difficult situation to grade as it will all come down to next week. Can Bischoff add more stakes to a personal title match, or will he be a distraction from a clear story?

It could go either way, but it's certainly a greater gamble than just letting Trick and Holland tell their story over the next week.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Backstage, Ava took an inadvertent shot in the team chaos when Eddy Thorpe tried to talk to her again. Shawn Michaels threatened Thorpe and told him to leave.
• Andre Chase packed up his stuff in a box and walked away from the university until a mystery figure called out to him.
• Via X, X-Pac also promised to appear at the Performance Center next week.
  

Women's North American Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Tatum Paxley

Tatum Paxley took over the action early until Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx distracted the challenger.

While Paxley got close, a low Famouser sealed the win for Women's North American champion Fallon Henley.

Afterward, Fatal Influence beat down Paxley until Gigi Dolin made her return, saving Paxley and clearing the ring.

By keeping interference to a minimum, this match shined on a night of strong action. Henley and Paxley worked with chemistry, allowing the challenger to look dangerous.

This got dramatic down the stretch, briefly teasing a major upset. However, it was not to be for now.

Pairing up a returning Dolin with Paxley is a smart play. The two can elevate each other. This pairing might be the missing piece to Paxley eventually winning gold.

It helps that Dolin and Jayne have history to explore, though the two were always better partners than opponents.

Result

Henley def. Paxley by pinfall to retain the Women's North American Championship.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Jayne and Nyx mocked Paxley backstage, saying she would "never be a champion." In the chaos, a mystery woman picked up one of Paxley's dolls.
• The two collided with crossbodies in the center of the ring and then traded even strikes to sell themselves as equals.
• Henley barely kicked out after a 450 Splash.
  

Overall Show

NXT has made the most of November, particularly relying on the series of Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers to elevate the product.

This week benefited especially from the two best qualifiers yet. Both Ethan Page vs. Axiom and Giulia vs. Kelani Jordan were fantastic.

The main event between Fallon Henley and Tatum Paxley also delivered to round out the show, complete with plenty of intriguing backstage segments along the way.

Deadline looks as strong as any NXT PLE in 2024, and given the past quality for Iron Survivor Challenges, it might just be the brand's show of the year.

One small nitpick is that NXT backloaded the final build to Deadline, setting up the last show to finalize three separate matches for the event. This all could have been better paced.

Still, this was as consistent an NXT episode as WWE has delivered since the move to The CW Network. Good wrestling and consistent story development is a winning combination.

Grade: B+