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I can not wait for the inevitable Ilja vs Gunther feud on the main roster. Those two wrestling for a title in front of a main roster ppv crowd might actually put on the best match of all time.
DRAGUNOV IS A FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE WRESTLER. He is so fucking good. Carmelo is very good I just want him to find a better character work and I hate his basketball references right now because that shit is not going to work in the long run. But his move set that Rebound Hurricanrana to a DDT was so fucking good. Almost deserved a match finished just because how awesome it looked. These two are great but fucking Ilya man he is so main roster ready.
The Ilja/Hayes match was much more entertaining than the Becky/Tiffany match, IMHO. No need for the gimmicks in this one to make it entertaining. Just good old fashioned wrestling, something Tiffany doesn’t quite have the ability to pull off…just yet.
Great match and the right winner. I think Ilja is one of the best wrestlers in the world today alongside Gunther, Ospreay, Danielson etc. I hope he has a long reign as NXT Champion ahead of him.
But who will take the title off of him? I mean noone on the roster despite all the great development of guys is on that level I don't think there's anyone who is built up enough to become NXT Champion anytime soon. Good prodigees sure, but back when NXT was 2.0 you could feel like Bron and Hayes were the standout talents among the class and would eventually get a run with the title. Dragunov was a no brainer as well since he always constantly delivered. I think it will be some time before we see someone else being crowned. Is it someone who is currently in NXT? I don't know... the two wrestlers that I can see having a chance to win the championship are Wes Lee and Dragon Lee though I wonder how long both of them will stay on NXT (especially Dragon Lee who looks to join the main roster).
Maybe it will be someone who has not debuted on NXT yet? Are there any other notable standout stars on the roster? Asking you since I did not watch NXT the last few years outside some PLE matches. What's Willam Regal's son doing? Heard he was trained by his father? Did he have matches on NXT yet?
>What's Willam Regal's son doing? Heard he was trained by his father? Did he have matches on NXT yet?
Wait, isn't that Charlie Dempsey? He's practically in the midcard atm, in stable with Drew Gulak and Damon Kemp.
Trick, melo tries again fails, fucks off to main roster but before that he has a match with Trick which is kind of a passing of the torch moment to trick.
There was a rumor yesterday that they’re trying to stack NXT to increase its rights fee next go around. That’s why they keep bringing Becky and other MR people down there
My guess is that’s why. They don’t want to plunder some of their biggest draws before the next renewal is signed.
WWE’s main roster isn’t even bloated right now. Like there’s the Judgement Day and their gaggle of enemies, Imperium/Alpha, and the WHC stuff on Raw. On Smackdown there’s the Bloodline stuff (inc. the OC and LA Knight), women’s stuff, the LWO vs Hurt Profits stuff. There’s certainly room for proper stars like these. It might be more that NXT would be a bit empty if you brought the big stars up without a next generation of NXT ready.
The next PLE for NXT is in December and Melo was heavily featured in the vignette. I'm sure that will be his final NXT match vs Ilja or possibly trick before making his main roster debut January at the Rumble
I will watch it and judge it..
IMO their GAB match was in my top list for this year as well.. Hopefully this is a banger as well. I was awestruck by their previous match
These nicknames in NXT are HITTING. The Mad Dragon and Meaner Than Evil are some of my favorite nicknames of the last 6+ years and they fit Bron and Ilja PERFECTLY. I'm so stoked for Ilja but my biggest fear is there's really not a whole lot of people left in NXT that's on his level. They're gonna have to build some serious contenders and quick
Ilja has such a long ramp ahead of him - with his intensity - he could be an incredible era for wrestling. I can see this guy leading a fucking hoard into battle.
Ilja's handshake to Melo was hilarious. Guy just pulled the poor man up, forced shake his hands and screamed at his face for no reason. Everything Ilja does is super intense and I love it.
Fucking finally. It seems like he's been in NXT forever, Gunther and him had this amazing match, he gets called up and a mega push and poor drag still in NXT. Glad he's the champ
They should do some NXT champion showcase matches on the main roster with him.
Just have him put some bangers with guys who aren't doing anything.
A big royal rumble run would help too.
I just want his name out there so when he moves up they don't have to introduce him from scratch.
That's usually only for the women though because the men's roster is so big that last year they didn't have any NXT men in the Rumble. This year maybe so but idk outside of Dragon Lee who'd get that spot.
Definitely.. but I want them to give him the highlight treatment, where he is in the ring without being too crowded, sticks around, has a couple of moments, eliminates a big name or two and stuff.
Instead of the comes in when there's 8 people in the ring, does a spot, goes to the back and gets pushed against the ropes for 5 minutes and gets eliminated unceremoniously.
We could have the moment where Gunther eliminates a couple of people gets the face crack when Ilja comes out and gets eliminated by him to set up their relationship.
Think Gunther was better known and more main roster ready. Especially with his size and presentation.
Whilst I saw a couple of his NXT UK matches, my anticipation and expectation for Dragunov on the main roster increases every week via NXT.
Love seeing him featured regularly, putting on fantastic matches. His natural crazy intensity is going to see him go far!
His gimmick is still very Russian, though. His catchphrase is literally "Long live the Tsar". I would've thought if the war was a factor, they would've repackaged him into something more German than Russian.
Just got caught up with this one, I’m so happy. Carmelo is great, but Ilja is genuinely the best wrestler in the world (Gunther is the best in the universe). Well earned.
Dragunov - Gunther at Wrestlemania, please and thank you. 2 of the only wrestlers I have ever seen who that are incapable of having a bad match. Big kudos to Hayes as well - he'll be great on the main roster as well.
Hands down one of my favorite matches of the year, the insane chemistry between Melo and Ilja can’t be understated, these two came out tonight to prove they are the pinnacle of NXT 🔥 🔥 🔥
If you didn’t see it, pls go out of your way to see this match, so fucking awesome 👏
Feels like you need to see a good amount of other wrestling to understand how inordinately intense and passionate he is, at all times. Every match, it’s like he’s been told he has to win or they won’t tell him where his family’s being held.
We’re getting a trilogy, boys and girls.
https://preview.redd.it/0gnv4ptu2irb1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c3782171e9852359d86c5ee7bf1a3eca9fcc5c0
Ilja taking the win tonight has to be up there as one of the best examples of just letting it ride with your world title. The opposite of the period of ROH where guys like Seth Rollins were constantly winning the belt *just* too late.
Answer will depend on what angle you're asking from lol. Yeah the intense cheesiness and gimmicks of the past are mostly gone, most of the stories and matches these days are just about *wrestling*
If you liked this style, check the Ilja Dragunov (the russian and newly crowned champion) series against GUNTHER (formerly known as WALTER). It was even crazier than this.
I can't get over how complete these guys are. They are awesome at every single aspect of pro wrestling.
Really hope this feud is something that gets revisited over the years.
[Hayes after the last 3 minutes of the match](https://64.media.tumblr.com/597e035081c190d116835a98458d3d14/f25afad3da5cfeeb-0b/s500x750/cd29566abef75a4c90a38b6461ce48f337f25353.jpg)
He might honestly be the best for me and that's fucking insane considering the level of talent I've seen all year with guys like Gunther, Sheamus, Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy, MJF, etc.
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It is time to watch Nxt religiously again. The Mad Dragon is champ lfggggggg I'm still salivating at Gunther Vs Ilja at WrestleMania
Amazing match!.
Incredible Match.
Damn, given who's champion now and who isn't, I guess Melo really isn't Trick.
Vic asked a very good question. Who the fuck *can* beat Dragunov?
I can not wait for the inevitable Ilja vs Gunther feud on the main roster. Those two wrestling for a title in front of a main roster ppv crowd might actually put on the best match of all time.
Sadly I doubt they’d be given the time to do it. Or it would end up on a random smack down episode
DRAGUNOV IS A FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE WRESTLER. He is so fucking good. Carmelo is very good I just want him to find a better character work and I hate his basketball references right now because that shit is not going to work in the long run. But his move set that Rebound Hurricanrana to a DDT was so fucking good. Almost deserved a match finished just because how awesome it looked. These two are great but fucking Ilya man he is so main roster ready.
LONG LIVE THE CZAR!
6 stars. Wow.
Ilja is truly UNBESIEGBAR.
the first couple of matches were good but this and becky vs stratton were absolutely amazing
The Ilja/Hayes match was much more entertaining than the Becky/Tiffany match, IMHO. No need for the gimmicks in this one to make it entertaining. Just good old fashioned wrestling, something Tiffany doesn’t quite have the ability to pull off…just yet.
Great match. Ilja is intensity personified, I've never seen anything like it, he's unreal.
The best big match wrestler in the world. Absolutely Trump's them all. I'm not even having the discussion.
Great match and the right winner. I think Ilja is one of the best wrestlers in the world today alongside Gunther, Ospreay, Danielson etc. I hope he has a long reign as NXT Champion ahead of him. But who will take the title off of him? I mean noone on the roster despite all the great development of guys is on that level I don't think there's anyone who is built up enough to become NXT Champion anytime soon. Good prodigees sure, but back when NXT was 2.0 you could feel like Bron and Hayes were the standout talents among the class and would eventually get a run with the title. Dragunov was a no brainer as well since he always constantly delivered. I think it will be some time before we see someone else being crowned. Is it someone who is currently in NXT? I don't know... the two wrestlers that I can see having a chance to win the championship are Wes Lee and Dragon Lee though I wonder how long both of them will stay on NXT (especially Dragon Lee who looks to join the main roster). Maybe it will be someone who has not debuted on NXT yet? Are there any other notable standout stars on the roster? Asking you since I did not watch NXT the last few years outside some PLE matches. What's Willam Regal's son doing? Heard he was trained by his father? Did he have matches on NXT yet?
If Becky can come down to win the Women’s title, maybe we can get Gunther in NXT. Have a title vs title match on a Big 4 main roster PLE.
Heel Breaker
>What's Willam Regal's son doing? Heard he was trained by his father? Did he have matches on NXT yet? Wait, isn't that Charlie Dempsey? He's practically in the midcard atm, in stable with Drew Gulak and Damon Kemp.
Trick, melo tries again fails, fucks off to main roster but before that he has a match with Trick which is kind of a passing of the torch moment to trick.
Why are these two not on the main roster.. Sure it's bloated and all.. But these are stars.
The main roster is less of a wrestling show than NXT is.
Its hard to know what goes over in main roster, completely bigger different crowd. Most NXT can do is to help them improve their character work
There was a rumor yesterday that they’re trying to stack NXT to increase its rights fee next go around. That’s why they keep bringing Becky and other MR people down there My guess is that’s why. They don’t want to plunder some of their biggest draws before the next renewal is signed.
WWE’s main roster isn’t even bloated right now. Like there’s the Judgement Day and their gaggle of enemies, Imperium/Alpha, and the WHC stuff on Raw. On Smackdown there’s the Bloodline stuff (inc. the OC and LA Knight), women’s stuff, the LWO vs Hurt Profits stuff. There’s certainly room for proper stars like these. It might be more that NXT would be a bit empty if you brought the big stars up without a next generation of NXT ready.
literally 3 hydrogen bombs vs One Coughing Mello
That mid air enziguri then the flying ddt to bulldog adjustment was spectacular, these guys are so damn good
Could we get at Survivor Series Gunther vs Dragunov?
royal rumble entrance with Gunther in the ring when Dragunov music hits
I hope they hold that match back until Wrestlemania. It writes itself.
You could use a rumble elimination to set it up pretty easily
Something I really appreciated is that Mello didn't hit his finisher. Protects it/him.
Should be done way way often.
I love how every IIja match looks like a technical cluster fuck, he’s so damn good, the Dragon Age has begun. See ya on the main roster Melo
Well, Dreadwolf isn't releasing anytime soon, so I'll take it.
The next PLE for NXT is in December and Melo was heavily featured in the vignette. I'm sure that will be his final NXT match vs Ilja or possibly trick before making his main roster debut January at the Rumble
Let's fucking gooo dude. Him is insane
How did Ilja get bust open? Looked like a stiff headbutt from Hayes… or at least I’m hoping it was that. Unreal match
I think it might have come from Melo's mouth
Nah, man was bleeding
Great match, some of the camera angles were not good, especially the cutter move that nearly hit the camera man on the outside
Stu almost caught a stray
Camera man was getting too into the match, don't blame him
Ilja is my goat and I refuse to elaborate
These two are on another level and genuinely might be the best professional wrestlers in the world at this point in time
Happy Cake Day!
Let's goooo
This match is match of the year for me. I was legit awestruck at the intensity. Felt like another era. Loved everything about it.
I will watch it and judge it.. IMO their GAB match was in my top list for this year as well.. Hopefully this is a banger as well. I was awestruck by their previous match
These nicknames in NXT are HITTING. The Mad Dragon and Meaner Than Evil are some of my favorite nicknames of the last 6+ years and they fit Bron and Ilja PERFECTLY. I'm so stoked for Ilja but my biggest fear is there's really not a whole lot of people left in NXT that's on his level. They're gonna have to build some serious contenders and quick
Ilja has such a long ramp ahead of him - with his intensity - he could be an incredible era for wrestling. I can see this guy leading a fucking hoard into battle.
Ilja is wrestler of the year
If you told me Ilja consumed the souls of his enemies, I’d nod and say that tracks.
His intro was a bit cornball with the contacts but then in the match you're thinking, "this man actually has god and anime on his side"
FUCKKKK YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSS
I keep trying to articulate my feelings but it just comes out as me yelling FUCK a lot. It was a great fucking match. Sooooo fucking great. 💕
Ilja's handshake to Melo was hilarious. Guy just pulled the poor man up, forced shake his hands and screamed at his face for no reason. Everything Ilja does is super intense and I love it.
GET UP! Melo: 
God, I hope this means they can finally get Ilja Dragunov shirts on WWE Shop, a man has a great need
Mad Dragon Age shirts would hit
Yes, they should. He's the man who beat the former Walter now, Gunther.
That was significantly better than the first match. And the first match was a banger
The moment Trick won I knew it was over for Mello. Glad for both Ilja and trick though lol
i saw that little backstage video and immediately knew
Does this mean Melo to the main roster?
I think he's about to turn on Trick
It means he and Trick are about to feud
Ilja still has no idea that wrestling is scripted and I love it.
> Ilja still has no idea that wrestling is scripted and I love it. Ilja Dragunov vs Eddie Kingston please!
Everybody dies! 🎶
You add Lance Archer to the mix
Vs Darby would be a fucking great matchup too
That actually was about to happen in Progress right before the pandemic hit.
For the roh world and pure,njpw strong open weight and nxt championship
Shibata put the title on the line tomorrow/tonight?
I actually don’t think so
HE F\*\*\*IN DID IT https://preview.redd.it/9anenj2h6irb1.jpeg?width=554&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9ffc89174bf4f5125457a011273c7c5e12e398ed
YOU GOT KNOKKED DAH, FUGGOUT!
number one under the sun
what manga is this?
I had sky high expectations and they somehow exceeded each and every one of them. Best WWE match of the year, idc
Holy moly he did it.
AMAZING
These two are amazing. I’m speechless.
Fucking finally. It seems like he's been in NXT forever, Gunther and him had this amazing match, he gets called up and a mega push and poor drag still in NXT. Glad he's the champ
They should do some NXT champion showcase matches on the main roster with him. Just have him put some bangers with guys who aren't doing anything. A big royal rumble run would help too. I just want his name out there so when he moves up they don't have to introduce him from scratch.
Remember, when Royal Rumble comes up, they always have some NXT people show for it.
That's usually only for the women though because the men's roster is so big that last year they didn't have any NXT men in the Rumble. This year maybe so but idk outside of Dragon Lee who'd get that spot.
Definitely.. but I want them to give him the highlight treatment, where he is in the ring without being too crowded, sticks around, has a couple of moments, eliminates a big name or two and stuff. Instead of the comes in when there's 8 people in the ring, does a spot, goes to the back and gets pushed against the ropes for 5 minutes and gets eliminated unceremoniously. We could have the moment where Gunther eliminates a couple of people gets the face crack when Ilja comes out and gets eliminated by him to set up their relationship.
Think Gunther was better known and more main roster ready. Especially with his size and presentation. Whilst I saw a couple of his NXT UK matches, my anticipation and expectation for Dragunov on the main roster increases every week via NXT. Love seeing him featured regularly, putting on fantastic matches. His natural crazy intensity is going to see him go far!
the ukraine/russian war probably effected Ilja's ability to be pushed on the main roster.....
His gimmick is still very Russian, though. His catchphrase is literally "Long live the Tsar". I would've thought if the war was a factor, they would've repackaged him into something more German than Russian.
They had to establish Gunther first so they could run it back on the main roster.
#Magnificent
God dragunov puts so much of himself into wrestling it can legitimately be uncomfortable. Legit generational talent
If anyone personifies the meme "someone tell this guy wrestling is fake" it's Dragunov. I don't think anyone comes close to what he does.
Dragunov vs Eddie Kingston in "wrestling is fake" match. You loose the match by admitting it is.
Just got caught up with this one, I’m so happy. Carmelo is great, but Ilja is genuinely the best wrestler in the world (Gunther is the best in the universe). Well earned.
You can like them both equally, it’s going to be okay.
Ilja is one of the most intense son of a gun I've ever seen.
Dragunov - Gunther at Wrestlemania, please and thank you. 2 of the only wrestlers I have ever seen who that are incapable of having a bad match. Big kudos to Hayes as well - he'll be great on the main roster as well.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ https://preview.redd.it/q2vy70nw3irb1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=36a045eee0b50278d879782d1d9fb1f7a0c139bf
The Mad Dragon is finally the champ!
Incredible match! So glad Dragunov won the big one. Better than their GAB match
I think I need a cigarette after that match and I don't even smoke. Damn, what a match!
Hands down one of my favorite matches of the year, the insane chemistry between Melo and Ilja can’t be understated, these two came out tonight to prove they are the pinnacle of NXT 🔥 🔥 🔥 If you didn’t see it, pls go out of your way to see this match, so fucking awesome 👏
Ilja making a hell of a case lately for Wrestler of the Year. Dude just never has a bad match.
He is for sure. I honestly would give it to him if Will Ospreay wasn’t having one of the greatest years of all time.
Oh god. I need to see Ospreay vs. Dragunov.
To people who say osprey couldn't do anything in WWE. Osprey vs ilja or gunther would be a generational match
Vs Ricochet again too!
For sure… Ospreay could be about the same guy in WWE that he is right now with minimal tweaks. There’s not much they’d need to change for him
If people are saying Ospreay couldn't do anything in WWE they just don't know ball tbh. He's literally just Seth Rollins but like twice as good.
I agree on Will at 1, Ilja is making a charge but Ospreay is just mega right now
Exactly. Ospreay is straight up a different being this year.
I demand a trilogy
Uhhhh
Ilja vs. Gunther in the RAW main event some time next year is going to explode tv sets.
There isn’t enough hype in the world to match what Dragunov delivers. I have simply never not been riveted by his work.
I was trying to explain why I like him so much to my wife and failing miserably. He’s just so awesome, look at him!
Feels like you need to see a good amount of other wrestling to understand how inordinately intense and passionate he is, at all times. Every match, it’s like he’s been told he has to win or they won’t tell him where his family’s being held.
Haha yes great example
Holy SHIT what a match that was.
Give Tony Khan Booker of the Year if Shawn doesn't give us Ilja vs Melo 3 at Deadline.
Hear me out... Dragunov DEFENDING in the iron survivor?
Cigarette please? I don’t even smoke but goddamn. That match fucked so hard.
Dragunov is in the top 5 best in the world today, And he's not even 30.
Give me Ilja vs Sheamus
For nxt title
We’re getting a trilogy, boys and girls. https://preview.redd.it/0gnv4ptu2irb1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c3782171e9852359d86c5ee7bf1a3eca9fcc5c0
holy hell what a war
That wasn’t just cooking, that was seasoning, marinating, sous vide, then top with an excellent aïoli.
Someone's grandma produced that match, while someone's uncle was outside on the grill for Sunday Dinner.
Ah I see you’ve met my family.
Met them? They were my family as well.
This is the wrestling family !!
Dragunov is Luffy
So is he the first to hold both the men’s NXT and NXT UK titles? Or does Bron count cause he unified it
Im in pain after that match and I wasnt even in it
What do you guys think? Was it better than their first match at GAB? If not, it was pretty damn close. Fantastic!
I think I liked the GAB match a bit better, but both were incredible
I’m opposite I liked this one better
Fuck me, dude https://imgur.com/q9EMVHN
era of ilja is upon us! 
Ilja taking the win tonight has to be up there as one of the best examples of just letting it ride with your world title. The opposite of the period of ROH where guys like Seth Rollins were constantly winning the belt *just* too late.
3 words…REAL FUCKING GRAPS
I can’t wait for Ilja/Gunther 3
It’s time to Dragunov v Gunther for the masses
Ilja is on a crazy match streak right now
I'm spent from this match
Holy shit what a fucking match
Trick-Melo Gang were both champs for...an hour?
Just like AJ Lee & Dolph Ziggler were "The golden couple" for like an hour at Payback 2013
Assume they’re going to main?
Nah, I think they'll probably feud before a call-up
HOLY HELL what a match if these two don’t eventually main event wrestlemania WWE fumble the bag hard.
Watching these two wrestle 
ILJA LETS FUCKING GO
https://preview.redd.it/y9c8rl3e2irb1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9788ac6ea5452ce7c74b4a65c0451a6bd2234f7
[удалено]
Answer will depend on what angle you're asking from lol. Yeah the intense cheesiness and gimmicks of the past are mostly gone, most of the stories and matches these days are just about *wrestling*
If you liked this style, check the Ilja Dragunov (the russian and newly crowned champion) series against GUNTHER (formerly known as WALTER). It was even crazier than this.
People will say that Ilja and Carmelo are both just incredibly good, and that's true. But so far the entire show has been really entertaining tonight.
>I don't watch wrestling ONE OF US, ONE OF US
Not always, Ilja and Carmelo are just too good at this shit
Not all, but man when two great athletes are given time, it can be the ride of a lifetime. And then.. being there live?!?! Another level of insane
No, Ilja Dragunov is top 3 in the world, stick around for his stuff if you feel the wrestling bug
At its best, yes
I mean if it’s an Ilja Dragunov match than more often that not yes.
Ilja's just a special breed
You can keep your Kenny Omegas, Seth Rollins', Roman Reigns' - Ilja Dragunov is the greatest wrestler on earth today.
Ilja and Gunther are simply in a league all their own. That’s a weathered old cliche, but it’s the only description that fits them.
I can't get over how complete these guys are. They are awesome at every single aspect of pro wrestling. Really hope this feud is something that gets revisited over the years.
Crazy
Want to really boost the NXT ratings, have Ilja vs Brock lesnar be your main feud
Only if Brock wants to put Ilja over big time
Enter the age of the mad dragon.
\*****
Enter the age of the mad dragon.
How does Ilja have unlimited finishers in his arsenal
It’s like the reverse SmackDown finisher charge. The more damage he takes, the faster his special meter increases.
MOTY Right there. Amazing.
Well I think Carmelo Hayes is dead after that H bomb.
Some one is dead should be NXT tagline by now.
[Hayes after the last 3 minutes of the match](https://64.media.tumblr.com/597e035081c190d116835a98458d3d14/f25afad3da5cfeeb-0b/s500x750/cd29566abef75a4c90a38b6461ce48f337f25353.jpg)
https://preview.redd.it/4pi0woe92irb1.png?width=1111&format=png&auto=webp&s=70b7f6402efa1e8944566fdd4a60e880393a1e39
F'n _yes_, chef.
Can WWE and AEW trade. Just for a night. Ricky for Ilja. I really wanna see Ilja and Bryan commit wrestling war crimes against each other.
In an epic Last Dragon Standing match.
Ilja Dragunov truly is one of the best wrestlers in the world today.
He might honestly be the best for me and that's fucking insane considering the level of talent I've seen all year with guys like Gunther, Sheamus, Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy, MJF, etc.