Ilja Dragunov won the NXT UK Championship after defeating WALTER

This is not the first time they squared off inside the squared circle. Last year, they had collided in an absolute hard-hitting battle but it was WALTER who had successfully defended his title.

This time around, with the crowd back in attendance, Ilja Dragunov was fierce and was looking to retaliate against The Imperium leader. Ilja Dragunov was quite sure about his tactics going into the match and tried targetting the legs of WALTER.

The 22-minute classic contest saw both men take each other to the limits. They exchanged some brutal strikes during the course of the match and chops cut like knives on the chests of both the stars. early before moving on to more destructive moves.

DRAGUNOV WINS!
DRAGUNOV WINS!
DRAGUNOV WINS!

The historic reign of @WalterAUT is over and we have a NEW #NXTUK Champion in @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR!#NXTUKTitle#NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/EORAcDruKM

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2021

What went down during the epic match

WALTER had taken charge of the bout with a couple of destructive lariats that nearly sealed the deal for him but Ilja Dragunov made a comeback with a Dragon Suplex. WALTER had  ‘The Mad Russian’ in his grip for a sleeper in the middle of the ring to slow him down for some time.

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‘The Austrian Anomaly’ hit Dragunov with a big powerbomb before climbing to the top rope for a diving splash. But, Dragunov showed great resilience and still managed to kick out in one of the nearest falls of the decade.

During the final minutes of the match, Dragunov locked WALTER in his signature sleeper hold. The undefeated champion could endure the offense and eventually tapped out in one of the most shocking moments of the year. Ilja Dragunov was in complete disbelief as his emotions poured out holding the NXT UK up high.

This is arguably one of the best matches this year and with Dragunov picking up the historic, it makes the story even more special. WALTER has been dominant having hold of the NXT UK title but now it seems that the brand is set to enter a new era after WALTER’s epic title reign was conquered.

Drew McIntyre wants to face WALTER

The former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is currently involved in a feud with Bobby Lashley who is the current holder of WWE title. They are set to clash at Hell In A Cell pay-per-view inside the demonic structure of ‘Hell in a Cell’ for the ultimate prize in the company.

During the recent interview McIntyre was asked to share his thoughts about the current NXT UK Champion WALTER, and if considers going one on one with him.

McIntyre said it is only a matter of time before they face off, and also revealed that he had actually wanted to wrestle him since right before his return to the WWE.

WALTER has also previously revealed his wish to square off against The Scottish Warrior. Drew McIntyre said: “I can’t wait until it happens, it’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time. You know, we rolled in the ring a few minutes at Survivor Series. We got into a big man chop battle, you can decide for yourself who won that one, obviously I’m going to be a bit biased.”

Drew McIntyre sheds praise on WALTER

McIntyre said that WALTER is someone who makes everyone believe the wrestling match. He also spoke about his physique and in-ring style.

He said: “But WALTER is just someone who, talk about believability in the ring, you watch a WALTER match and he makes you believe. He’s so big, unique looking, and dominant, with such a believable style.

The former WWE Champion lauded the German wrestler for his work in NXT and for representing European wrestling.

Drew McIntyre recalled seeing WALTER for the first time in wXw event in Germany and straight away wanted to face him in the squared circle.

But he regrets not getting a chance to work with him. But, as he said, it’s only a matter of time when the two top-tier stars cross their paths in WWE.

WALTER’s NXT UK Championship reign recently surpassed two-year in April this year which is a great feat for the German International. We will see when WALTER and Drew McIntyre collides in WWE ring.

WALTER says he never thought of signing with WWE

Wrestling talents often set a goal of joining WWE someday down their career. Their ultimate goal turns out to be a WWE star but WALTER had a different outlook. He said he never had a goal of joining Vince McMahon’s company.

He had some great runs in the wrestling promotions of Europe and he had excelled in Germany based WXW prior joining with WWE. The leader of Imperium said that he was never too eager to leave Europe and live in the United States.

He said:

“First of all, I was never thinking about signing with WWE. That was never a goal. I was happy in the process, sometimes you get lost too much when you think about the future. I have to force myself to do it as well, sometimes your brain is way ahead of you. I was never too keen about leaving Germany, leaving Europe to live in the United States.”

He said moving to United States for WWE might be goal for some wrestlers from day one but for him it “was never a realistic thing” that he could wrestler for WWE.

WALTER had joined WWE back in 2019 and immediately confronted the then NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne. He went on to win the title at NXT TakeOver: New York and ended Dunne’s record of 685 days reign.

Back in February this year, NXT UK Champion WALTER set the record of his own as he held the title for over 765 days and became the longest-reigning NXT United Kingdom Champion, eclipsing Dunne’s record.

Recently at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night 1, Walter successfully defended his NXT UK Title against Ciampa. April 5 marked two years completion of his championship reign. The next day on NXT UK Prelude, WALTER once again emerged successful in defending his title against Rampage Brown.

WALTER is currently is one of the dominant stars in WWE. Though he did not intended to join the company but interestingly he his having quite a run in the company.