Why Ilja Dragunov Defeating WALTER at NXT TakeOver 36 is a Big Deal in WWE

It has finally happened! Ilja Dragunov has finally defeated Walter and dethrones him as the NXT United Kingdom champion at last night’s NXT TakeOver 36.

The two wrestlers have been at each other’s throats for over a year and now Ilja finally got the upper hand on Walter, ending the Austrian’s record-breaking reign as NXT United Kingdom Champion.

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The two were supposed to clash to have their long-awaited rematch in July, but WWE postponed the match when they announced Walter had suffered an “injury”.

Ilja Dragunov and Walter put on a stellar performance together

To say that the match was good would be an understatement. The match was as physical as it could get with Walter butchering Ilja with his killer knife-edged chops.

The WWE Universe speculated Walter would continue his dominant reign of 870 days, but Ilja had other plans. However, the match was not a walk in the park for the newly crowned champion.

Ilja had answers for every attack that Walter brought to him. He literally used his body as a weapon to gain the upper hand in the match.

Towards the last moments of the match, Dragunov hits Walter and unloads with vicious elbow strikes while Walter laying on the mat and puts him in a sleeper hold.

Walter tried several times to shrug off Ilja, but he just won’t let Walter go. The Austrian then powers up to his feet and climbs to the top turnbuckle, with Dragunov still on his back, but falls down.

With Ilja not releasing the hold, Walter fades in the middle of the ring. To make sure he is down Ilja releases the hold and attacks Walter with stiff kicks.

Ilja then puts Walter in a sleeper hold one last time and Walter quickly taps out for the title; hence, becoming the first person to make Walter tap.

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