Explaining NXT Deadline's New Hockey-Inspired 'Iron Survivor' Match

The first-ever NXT Deadline show is looming just over the horizon and WWE officials have added two matches to the card that have piqued the interest of the WWE Universe. Shawn Michaels announced via Twitter that NXT will hold two new match types for the first time ever called “Iron Survivor” matches. There will be one for the women and one for the men. The rules are complex, so we thought it might be a good idea to break down exactly what the WWE Universe can expect from this hockey-inspired wrestling match.

As HBK explains it, the match will be 25 minutes long and each feature five competitors that battle each other, and the clock. Two wrestlers will start in the ring and every five minutes, another one will enter. If a wrestler scores a pinfall, they receive one point. The Superstar who got pinned will not only receive minus one point for being pinned, but will be forced to sit in a penalty box for 90 seconds as punishment for taking the fall. At the end of the 25 minutes, the Superstar with the most points will win the match. The winners will both earn shots at the NXT and NXT Women’s Championships respectively. Michaels also confirmed that the participants of these matches will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

The WWE and NXT Universe seems extremely excited about the new match which received generally positive feedback on social media. NXT’s official statement on the announcement highlighted how NXT is a developmental territory but still focused on bringing fresh product to fans.

“NXT is a brand focusing on developing the Superstars of tomorrow, but also a brand focused on innovation. On Saturday, Dec. 10 at NXT Deadline we will present to you a revolutionary new match never done before in WWE history.”

You can watch the first-ever Iron Survivor matches live on the WWE Network on Peacock when NXT Deadline airs Saturday, Dec. 10.