Earlier tonight, Ilja Dragunov made his debut on NXT. After working his way up to a shot at the NXT UK Championship, he will face WALTER at NXT Takeover 36. One man who has issues with this is Pete Dunne, who confronted Dragunov, and tonight they will settle it in the middle of the ring. They’ve only met once before in 2018, with Dunne coming out on top in Progress Wrestling.
Big Match Feel In The CWC
This match had the CWC buzzing before they even rang the bell, the very definition of a big match. They’d lock up in the middle of the ring, with Dunne pulling Dragunov to the mat with a hammerlock. Dragunov would have to fight free, and grabbed control of the arm of Dunne before having it broken off. Dunne took him down again, and went after the legs of Dragunov briefly before applying a headlock.
Dragunov took control of the headlock, but when he shoved Dunne off he took a jumping knee to the jaw. Dunne would smack Dragunov down with a huge slap before kicking him in the kidneys. Dragunov would come back with a lariat before dodging a return blow and hitting an enziguri. A big suplex dropped Dunne, and Dragunov soared onto him with a big knee drop for a two count.
Dragunov went back up again, and Dunne went after him and his fingers but was shoved off. However, Dragunov would be knocked out of the sky with a forearm and taken to the outside. Dunne would prop the arm of Dragunov up on the steel steps before stomping down. Back in the ring, Dunne would continue to batter Dragunov, but that was only firing him up.
Pete Dunne Takes Advantage Of A Distraction To Drop Ilja Dragunov
Dragunov would take some boots to the face before firing back at Dunne with a huge lariat. They would trade these heavy blows in the middle of the ring before Dunne fell, and he’d punch downward and get caught by an arm snap. Dragunov would fight through the pain to nail the Constantine Special, then take a moment to address the pain.
Dunne would counter the pumphandle suplex with an attack on the fingers, before being beaten down with elbow strikes and dumped over the head of Dragunov. Dragunov would keep the attack coming with a spinning chop, before winding up in an armbar as he went for the pinfall. Both of these men were staying on the offensive, with Dragunov breaking out only to take knees from Dunne.
Dunne would finally go for the Triangle Choke, only for Dragunov to power him up into the powerbomb for a two count. As soon as Dunne kicked out, Dragunov pushed forward for a huge forearm blow and was right into another pinfall. Dunne survived, and looked for a German Suplex and Dragunov would avoid the finger snap, but the stomp to the hands prevented the Constantine Special.
Dragunov would end up in another armbar, but was able to counter into a suplex for another near fall. The CWC was flowing with energy, and Dragunov went up top and nailed a massive diving senton splash. WALTER would come out to ringside to get a closer look, and Dragunov kicked Dunne out of the ring. Dunne was back in and looked for a Bitter End, but Dragunov fought out and looked for Torpedo Moscow. A big forearm strike dropped Dragunov out of the sky, and Dunne nailed Bitter End for the win.
This was one of the best TV matches NXT has had all year. Dunne & Dragunov are truly two of the best, and they matched each other hold for hold and strike from strike. Despite the loss, this has really shown US fans just how good Dragunov is, and has everyone ready for another instant classic with WALTER. Match Rating: 4.5/5 (**** 1/2)
After the match, Dunne would let WALTER have the ring to deal with Dragunov, and he’d start with a chop before Dragunov nailed a desperate Torpedo Moscow to send WALTER down. Dragunov lifted the belt and started down at the fallen champion as we fade to black. Can he beat WALTER at Takeover? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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