WWE NXT Deadline marked the brand’s final event of 2025, taking place at the Boeing Center at Techport in San Antonio, Texas. The Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge match was a standout, with the underdog ultimately emerging victorious.
The match featured Sol Luka, Jordynne Grace, Kehlani Jordan, Laura Bice, and Kendall Gray competing for a chance to become the future NXT Women’s Champion. The Iron Survivor Challenge is a 25-minute contest involving five wrestlers, where two start the match and one enters every five minutes. Points are earned through pinfalls or submissions, and wrestlers who lose a fall spend 90 seconds in a penalty box. The competitor with the highest score at the end wins a future championship match on New Year’s Eve.
As part of his retirement tour, John Cena handpicked the participants and announced his involvement before his last match scheduled for December 13, 2025. The match began with Kendall Gray and Kehlani Jordan, both eager to score early. Gray eventually pinned Jordan just before Jordynne Grace entered, sending Jordan to the penalty box. Gray then pinned Grace, sending her out of the match temporarily as well.
Kehlani Jordan later pinned Gray, and Laura Bice entered next, quickly pinning Gray in under 30 seconds. Before Sol Luka made her entrance, Jordynne Grace pinned Kehlani Jordan, leaving the scoreboard at Laura Bice (1 point), Kendall Gray (2 points), Jordynne Grace (1 point), and Kehlani Jordan (1 point).
Sol Luka made a big impact with a double Sol Snatcher, scoring simultaneous pinfalls on Laura and Kehlani and tying her with Kendall Gray. She then challenged Jordynne Grace to a fight, delivering a big knee strike and a dragon sleeper, while Grace fought back with a submission hold. Laura Bice and Kehlani Jordan both escaped the penalty box as the match intensified.
Kehlani Jordan pinned Jordynne Grace, creating a three-way tie at two points each. Grace then secured a pinfall to form a four-way tie, which Laura Bice countered with another pinfall, balancing the competition. Luka performed a daring Sol Snatcher from the ring steps, though it didn’t result in a pin. After some back-and-forth, Kendall Gray executed a top-rope move in the final seconds to clinch the win, becoming the new number one contender. This victory is significant for Gray, who is also the current EVOLVE Women’s Champion.
What are your thoughts on NXT booking a high-stakes Iron Survivor Challenge match for women? Do you believe this signals a promising future for women’s wrestling in NXT? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Fan Take: This match highlights WWE’s growing commitment to showcasing the talent and competitiveness of their female wrestlers, which is thrilling for fans craving fresh and intense storylines. Kendall Gray’s win not only sets her up for a major title shot but also elevates the entire division, promising exciting developments in women’s wrestling.
