During the NXT Gold Rush special on November 25, 2025, WWE legend John Cena officially announced the competitors for the upcoming Iron Survivor Challenge matches at NXT Deadline . Breaking from tradition where a panel of legends typically selects the entrants, Cena was given sole authority this year to hand-pick the superstars who will compete for future championship opportunities.

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge

Cena selected a diverse group of talent for the men’s match, featuring champions from both NXT and partner promotions. The field includes:

Je’Von Evans

Leon Slater (Current TNA X-Division Champion)

Joe Hendry

Dion Lennox (Current NXT Tag Team Champion)

Myles Borne

While Cena hand-selected the first four entrants, the final spot was determined in the main event of NXT

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