NXT was in the process of establishing its own identity in 2022. The brand had undergone a revamp in 2021, following a critically claimed period of the Black and Gold era, and needed creative storylines to stay on par with WWE’s other programming.
Despite the overall change to the product, NXT managed to deliver when it came to standalone matches on premium live events. The arrival of NXT UK stars such as Ilja Dragunov and JD McDonagh took competition to a new level.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the best NXT PLE matches of 2022:
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge (NXT Deadline)
Triple H took WarGames away from NXT in 2022, so Shawn Michaels had no choice but to come up with another unique gimmick match. The Heartbreak Kid announced the first-ever Iron Survivor Challenge for NXT Deadline in December.
For those who may not have the slightest idea, the Iron Survivor Challenge is the amalgamation of Iron Man, Championship Scramble, and King of the Mountain matches. The unique match-up pitted Axiom, Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, JD McDonagh, and Joe Gacy against each other with the opportunity to challenge for the NXT Championship.
After a grueling 25 minutes, Grayson Waller emerged victorious with three pinfalls to his name. The arrogant Aussie, unfortunately, would not repeat the success when he got a title shot against then-NXT Champion Bron Breakker at NXT Vengeance Day 2023.
Bron Breakker vs. Tommaso Ciampa (NXT Championship Match – New Year’s Evil)
Tommaso Ciampa was the last remnant of the Black and Gold era of NXT Bron Breakker needed to take out. The top prospect challenged the veteran for the richest prize on the brand at NXT: New Year’s Evil.
The pair main evented the show with the future of not just the title, but the brand at stake. Ciampa used his veteran instincts to keep the much younger Breakker at arm’s length, but the challenger powered through to win the title and cement himself as the face of the new NXT.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricochet (North American Championship Match – Worlds Collide)
Ricochet made his shocking appearance on his former brand to set up a title match against Carmelo Hayes. The past and the present collided to determine the date of the North American Championship at Worlds Collide.
The match was fast-paced from the get-go. Ricochet showed just what NXT had been missing for the past several years as he went toe-to-toe with the equally impressive Carmelo Hayes. The two men tore the house down before Hayes put away the former North American Champion.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Oro Mensah vs. Von Wagner vs. Wes Lee (Five-way Ladder Match for the North American Title – Halloween Havoc)
Shawn Michaels made the controversial decision of stripping Solo Sikoa of the North American Championship in the lead-up to Halloween Havoc. The Heartbreak Kid announced a fatal five-way ladder match to determine the new champion at the October 22 PLE.
The high-risk bout featured some crazy spots and bumps. All five men wanted to win the vacant title. The closing stretch ultimately led to Wes Lee’s coronation as the new NXT North American Champion and the beginning of an iconic title run.
Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh (Triple Threat NXT Championship Match – Halloween Havoc)
Coming off the heels of successful back-to-back title defenses against Tyler Bate and JD McDonagh, Bron Breakker would once again find the odds stacked against him in this three-way at Halloween Havoc.
All three men would showcase incredible chemistry throughout the match. You had Dragunov and McDonagh willing to tear each other apart because of their past history. Then you had the powerful champion willing to risk everything to keep the title on him.
All the action and drama made this bout truly one of the best NXT PLE matches of 2022.
Also read: WWE NXT Results (11/7/23)
