WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 6

With NXT Deadline just days away, WWE NXT presented an action-packed go-home show for its December 6 edition.

The Iron Survivor Challenge needed two more participants, one for the men and one for the women. Two Triple Threat matches were set for the show to determine those competitors.

Fan favorites Axiom and Andre Chase were set to clash with the dominant Von Wagner, while Indi Hartwell hoped to punch her ticket against two relative rookies in Wendy Choo and Fallon Henley.

"The Grayson Waller Effect" would feature Carmelo Hayes, JD McDonagh and Joe Gacy ahead of them facing off in the men's Iron Survivor Challenge. Pretty Deadly promised "A Real Christmas Story," and Tony D'Angelo returned to action.

As Bron Breakker and Apollo Crews approached their highly anticipated NXT Championship match and Mandy Rose awaited her next challenger, the show was certain to have plenty of big moments.

Andre Chase wiped out both his opponents with DDTs and then planted Von Wagner with a crossbody, but Axiom snuck in with a Golden Ratio to pin the big man.

This was surprisingly engaging between three men who have limited history. Wagner and Axiom have chemistry to explore, which WWE should highlight.

It was surprising for The Superhero to pick up the win, but he is clearly the most talented in-ring performer of the three. He will add so much to the men's Iron Survivor Challenge, especially if he starts the match.

Wagner did pick up another loss while Chase cannot catch many breaks, but both have stories to tell coming out of this.

Result

Axiom def. Wagner and Chase by pinfall to qualify for the men's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Chase caught Axiom off a springboard with a kick and powerbomb for a near-fall.
• Wagner went for his finisher, but Axiom reversed it into a triangle choke.

Indus Sher attacked Bryson Montana before his match with Javier Bernal. Big Body Javy suddenly pulled a hamstring to avoid entering the ring.

Sanga and Veer Mahaan declined to fight The Creed Brothers until they were 100 percent healthy. Julius and Brutus Creed were not happy, and officials had to keep them away from the big men.

This was a smart segment for a variety of reasons. It continued to highlight the feud of Indus Sher and the Creeds, which is the brand's hottest angle at the moment. Delaying that match may be beneficial to NXT as it can keep building.

It also gave a fun spot to Bernal, who has found his way as a coward heel. He had to decide between trying to take an easy win or avoid Indus Sher. He took the safe option.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Julius tried to get cleared by the trainer despite his rib injury, but Ivy Nile pointed out his swelling. The trainer could not clear him for the show.
  
• Cora Jade promised she would do anything to win the women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
• After McKenzie Mitchell found Bernal, she asked for Ikemen Jiro's opinion on the competitor, who called him Big Body Chicken.
  

Tony D'Angelo made quick work of Xyon Quinn, winning with a fisherman suplex.

The Don then called out Wes Lee, who was glad to answer. Dijak interrupted and warned both men to keep his name out of their mouths.

Lee has two interesting rivals set up to start his NXT North American Championship reign. D'Angelo remains one of WWE's more protected acts from before his unfortunate injury against Lee, while Dijak is a talent just waiting to show his true potential.

It's a shame that it looks as if all three will miss Deadline on Saturday. Hopefully, NXT will feature this feud prominently to end the year and make up for missing the pay-per-view.

How the mighty have fallen. Quinn was completely squashed in this short match. WWE looks ready to release him sooner than use him seriously any longer.

Result

D'Angelo def. Quinn by pinfall.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Quinn planted The Don with a Samoan Drop, but D'Angelo escaped outside, caught his opponent with a right hand and a spinebuster.
• Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo attempted to sneak-attack Lee but failed as his target escaped.
• WWE showed another mysterious promo for Scrypts.
  

Charlie Dempsey wore down Hank Walker on the mat with technical offense and made him tap out with a Boston crab and crossface combination.

This was a fine enhancement match, building up the danger of Dempsey as a competitor. But Walker is not the type of wrestler who can challenge him in the ring, so there wasn't much to see here.

It will be interesting to watch how Dempsey develops. He is William Regal's son, which puts a lot of expectations on him. He cannot talk like his father yet, and the in-ring work is still coming along. But if it can all click, he can be special.

Result

Dempsey def. Walker by submission.

Grade

C

Notable Moments

• Hank confronted Dempsey backstage, challenging him to a match.
• Drew Gulak walked out to watch this bout closely.
• Zoey Stark talked about why the women's Iron Survivor Challenge was made for her.
  

Pretty Deadly told the story of their Christmas fun. They questioned how any tag team could ever challenge them.

The New Day then made a shocking arrival to challenge Kit Wilson and Elton Prince at Deadline.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods making a surprise appearance in NXT was a very welcome surprize. It gives Pretty Deadly a rival for Saturday, once more setting up the question of whether they can pull off an upset against a main roster tandem.

The New Day are one of the best tag teams in the world. While it may not make sense for Kingston and Woods to win the gold at this time, they are the rare team that can genuinely outmatch Pretty Deadly, which is a tandem that feels unstoppable against any others in NXT.

At this point, WWE has set up Pretty Deadly as instant successes on the main roster with their recent list of opponents.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Kingston and Woods laid out Pretty Deadly and took their titles.
• Apollo Crews met Bron Breakker on the lake for fishing. The two talked about their history and excitement for their title match.

Duke Hudson was not happy about this match, while Andre Chase tried to cheer on Thea Hail.

Isla Dawn hit a pair of standing elbow drops for the win after stopping Hail's attempt to rally. Afterward, Alba Fyre attacked Dawn until the officials broke them up.

There wasn't much here to see. It would have been helpful to showcase more of Dawn's offense. Instead, the two crawled to a finish in a three-minute contest.

What worked much better was the continued build of Fyre vs. Dawn. This comes off as the last stand of Fyre before she heads to the main roster, and she is doing what she can to make this feud matter even through her body language.

Result

Dawn def. Hail by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• Hudson questioned Chase after The Professor agreed Hail should fight Dawn.
• Dawn told Fyre to watch this match closely.
• Hail hit a springboard senton for near-fall, but it only seemed to anger Dawn, who started talking to herself before taking over.
• Dawn misted one of the officials who got in the way of her getting to Fyre.
  

Von Wagner arrived to brawl with Odyssey Jones outside. This left both Edris Enofé and Malik Blade distracted.

Brooks Jensen caught Enofé with a spinning heel kick to set up for a High-Low combination with Josh Briggs for the win.

Honestly, this was a little disappointing. These are talented teams that got stuck in a miniature match on a night when there was room for more. Everyone involved could continue to benefit from more in-ring time.

The action itself was fine, but there's no reason anyone involved should be getting squashed. While a distraction set up the finish, Enofé and Blade have earned a bit more respect.

Result

Briggs and Jensen def. Enofé and Blade by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

• Sol Ruca and Amari Miller were doing a dance for Instagram during an NXT live event and caught a fight between Blade, Enofé, Jensen and Briggs.
  
• Kiana James talked herself up with a fool-proof strategy to win the women's Iron Survivor Challenge.
• During the match. James' assistant left a note in Jensen's jacket.
• Afterward, the two teams seemed to reconcile, showing each other respect.
  
• Lyra Valkyria promised to arrive in NXT next week.
  

Wendy Choo caught Fallon Henley with a corner slingshot splash, but Indi Hartwell threw Choo out and caught Henley with a running forearm to win.

This was not at the level of the men's Triple Threat, but all three worked hard to make the most of the spotlight. Hartwell guided the story of the match and picked up the win thanks to opportunistic tactics.

It was the right choice for Indi Wrestling to win. She fits this match best given her experience. While she still has to prove herself at Deadline, she could earn a main roster call-up if she works at her best.

Both Choo and Henley would have been more interesting additions to the women's Iron Survivor Challenge than Kiana James, but the match is set as it is. Hopefully, James will show she is deserving of her spot in her first big spotlight.

Result

Hartwell def. Henley and Choo by pinfall to earn the final spot in the women's Iron Survivor Challenge.

Grade

B

Notable Moments

• Roxanne Perez convinced herself that the only woman standing in her way of winning the women's Iron Survivor Challenge was herself.
• Choo planted Henley with a release belly-to-belly suplex but walked into a spinebuster from Hartwell for a near-fall that Henley broke up.
• NXT showed Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne watching from the Toxic Lounge.
  

"The Grayson Waller Effect" was a talk-heavy segment as everyone put themselves over. Waller finally got annoyed and started a brawl between the guests then dived onto the group before making his exit to let the others battle it out.

While this is a group of five talented wrestlers, most of them did not sound good in this segment. Joe Gacy talking about the penalty box felt out of character. JD McDonagh talked about hurting people without selling his intellect as he has previously.

Axiom is a limited talker. Carmelo Hayes and Waller did not talk enough to keep control of the segment. This segment was made for them, but they played second fiddle to competitors less likely to win on Sunday.

The match should be good, but the hype for this men's Iron Survivor Challenge is fairly low.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

• Gacy explained his mindset to Waller, and the host was confused.
• Axiom made clear he wanted to be one of the first two in the match, but the others were not interested.
  

"The Grayson Waller Effect" was a talk-heavy segment in which everyone put themselves over.

The host finally got annoyed and started a brawl between the guests. He then dived onto the group before making his exit to let the others battle it out.

While this is a group of five talented wrestlers, most of them did not sound good in this segment. Joe Gacy discussing the penalty box felt out of character, and JD McDonagh talked about hurting people without selling his intellect as he has previously.

Axiom is a limited talker. Carmelo Hayes and Waller spoke enough to keep control of the segment. It was made for them, but they played second fiddle to competitors less likely to win on Saturday.

The match should be good, but the hype for it is fairly low.

Grade

D

Notable Moments

• Gacy explained his mindset to Waller, and the host was confused.
• Axiom made clear he wanted to be one of the first two in the match, but the others weren't interested.