Ilja Dragunov has lifted the NXT Championship after defeating Carmelo Hayes at No Mercy.
Dragunov got the pin after a tremendous match with an H-Bomb from the ropes.
The match got off to a speedy start, with Dragunov dominating Hayes with strikes, kicks and headbutts, including some very nasty-sounding chops.
The balance began to shift when Hayes managed to nail an enziguri, followed up with a springboard bulldog.
In a to-and-fro portion of the match, Dragunov sustained a cut to the forehead, which only added to the spectacle.
After the match, Dragunov offered his hand and the pair shook hands in a show of respect.
Welcome to a new era of #WWENXT!@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR #NXTNoMercy pic.twitter.com/QYmilqScE7
— WWE (@WWE) October 1, 2023
Dragunov has been with WWE since 2019. He spent much of his time in Britain, where he held the NXT UK Championship. The NXT Championship win is his first title win for the promotion in the United States.
