NXT UK Results: Ilja Dragunov vs. WALTER [NXT UK Championship Match]

Despite its short history, the NXT UK Championship has become one of the greatest prizes in all of WWE. Only three men have held it, and two of those reigns surpassed one year. Current champion WALTER has taken down all comers, but the moment Ilja Dragunov joined the brand, he knew his biggest fight was yet to come.

Dragunov won a battle royal to get this match, and showed WALTER he can pin him during a tag team match just two weeks ago. Now, it’s time for these two warriors to meet in the ring, with the gold on the line. They have claimed this one will redefine violence, and given their past clashes outside of WWE? That sounds right.

An Instant Start To This War

All through the introductions, both men were itching to get started. They’d suffer through the pleasantries, but as soon as the bell rang? It began. Dragunov ran in with a boot, WALTER absorbed this and hit some blistering chops, Dragunov fired right back. WALTER booted him in the head and looked for the powerbomb, Dragunov slipped out and hit a knee to the head.

In the corner, WALTER took another knee to the head, and Dragunov went up top before hitting with a chop and being joined. WALTER would be fought off, and a diving senton was hit. Dragunov wanted to end this one early, but ran right into a sleeper hold from WALTER. This would be turned into a suplex, and action finally slowed a touch.

When they got back to their feet, WALTER hit two more chops and a scoop slam, but Dragunov just got right back up. WALTER would throw him throat first into the middle rope, Dragunov crashing to the apron and then the mats. Dragunov would experience some whiplash, and WALTER would be more than willing to take advantage.

Getting Dragunov back in the ring, WALTER would choke him with his boot, hit some more strikes and apply a tight side headlock. Dragunov fought free, but there was a chip in his armour, and he couldn’t hit the suplex due to the hurt neck.

Ilja Dragunov Is Being Mauled By A Bear Named WALTER

Having to just stand and fight WALTER is a daunting task for anyone, but Dragunov was up the challenge. He can’t throw WALTER, but he can throw strikes so he did. WALTER was forced into the corner, and he’d chop Dragunov in the throat to get space. The chest of Dragunov was already beet red, and this match has barely started.

WALTER would crank in the neck, but Dragunov would never give up. He’d fight to his feet, grab the wrist and use that control to slap WALTER around for a moment. Having his wrist grabbed allowed WALTER to force Dragunov down to the mat, where he’d be stomped.

Dragunov would keep fighting, but a German Suplex dumped him on the neck. Another neck crank, with some chops mixed in for good measure. On commentary, Nigel McGunniess would be glad to be retired watching this match, Dragunov struggling back to his feet to throw two chops and be dropped by one.

WALTER propped him on the top of the corner, and chopped him across the throat and dumped him to the outside. He’d break the count, and attack Dragunov on the apron with a stomp to the throat. Dragunov almost got in the ring, but was dumped back to the floor.

Finally getting back to the apron again, Dragunov would have his arms trapped and the hand of WALTER would crash down like a sledge to the chest, and a chop to the back of the neck would soon follow.

Dragunov Is Unbreakable

WALTER was relentless, and would go for another clubbing blow, Dragunov caught the hand and fought back, turning the situation around and nailing blows to WALTER, and finally got back in the ring. He’d be met instantly with a boot right to the jaw, but fought off a German Suplex attempt with one of his own.

Adrenaline was flowing, fighting spirit burning bright. Dragunov would take a lariat to the back of the neck, but come back with another German Suplex. More hard strikes and a third German Suplex would follow, before hitting a jumping knee and being staggered by a chop.

Two enzuguris would be hit, and the Gotch Lift Suplex got a two count. WALTER came back with more strikes to the neck, as he looked for another Sleeper Suplex. Dragunov tried to use the ropes to save himself, WALTER chopping his arms away, but Dragunov slipped behind for a European Clutch.

This was countered into the sleeper, but a pinfall attempt from Dragunov saved him. A boot to the face would just fire up Dragunov to hit the Constantine Special, collapsing into a near fall. Torpedo Moscow would be attempted, but he’d be swatted out of the sky, both men falling to the mat.

WALTER was first back to his feet, and he hit a chop, grabbed the arm and hit another. He’d stomp the neck, slap Dragunov around, but the Mad Russian kept getting up. Dragunov threw some strikes, but was turned inside out with a Lariat, a powerbomb was hit, and Dragunov kicked out of this combo at two.

The Most Brutal Match In WWE History

Another lariat would follow from WALTER, but Dragunov kicked out again. The Ring General would apply the sleeper in the middle of the ring, moving into a dragon sleeper to apply more pressure to the neck. Dragunov managed to roll to the ropes, and broke the hold. This wouldn’t save him for long, as WALTER grabbed him again, but Dragunov was ready to trade strikes.

Headbutts would be thrown, WALTER would be dropped to one knee, and meet Dragunov’s knee with his face. Dragunov went up top, and went coast to coast with a front dropkick, getting a two count. He’d look for another Gotch Lift Suplex, but WALTER resisted and they’d go strike for strike. Dragunov would get WALTER up and slam him down, getting the two count.

He’d go again for Torpedo Moscow, but expect the boot and counter it. WALTER fell to his knees, and took Torpedo Moscow to the back of the neck, but Dragunov couldn’t get the pinfall. Dragunov set it up again, but couldn’t make it. They’d collide in the middle of the ring, and Dragunov rained down elbows on WALTER.

WALTER fled to the outside to try to break the momentum, Dragunov following and taking a sleeper suplex on the mat. The referee helped Dragunov up, and he’d be booted into the steel steps and powerbombed onto the apron. Another powerbomb in the ring, and WALTER went up top for the splash that won him the title. It connected, but Dragunov still kicked out.

WALTER would mount Dragunov and maul him with strikes before going for the sleeper hold. Dragunov was bleeding from the mouth, and passed out from the pain.

They Walked The Kings Road Tonight

They wanted to redefine violence, and they did. You’d be hard pressed to find any WWE match that hit quite as hard as this one. It pulled heavily from the Kings Road style of All Japan Pro Wrestling, with enough hard chops to make even Kenta Kobashi blush.

WALTER & Dragunov have impeccable chemistry, and this was their greatest match yet. It deserved to take place in-front of a UK Takeover crowd, and a rematch might, but this was lightning in a bottle. WALTER remains NXT UK Champion, and his 574 day reing keeps going. This is my match of the year at this point, beating out both Kyle O’Reilly vs. Finn Balor, and Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki.

Who can defeat WALTER? Is it even possible anymore? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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