Explaining the Ilja Dragunov Redemption Arc
A simple, yet perfectly executed storyline
At NXT Takeover 36, we witnessed yet another all time classic between WALTER and Ilja Dragunov. Much like the first encounter, the brutality in this match was off the charts. Obviously the addition of a crowd helped the bout feel even more special. And of course, the shocking yet thrilling finish as Dragunov did the unthinkable and made WALTER tap out (just like WALTER did in their match last year) to finally become the NXT UK Champion
The match was flooded with well deserved praise and both men are getting heaps of love from fans and fellow Wrestlers. There's an aspect to this match that non NXT UK viewers may not understand however, and that's what I'll be discussing today. I'm going to talk about the entire storyline leading up to the Takeover 36 encounter, as i truly believe it's one of the best storylines we've seen this year
This is the story of, the Ilja Dragunov Redemption Arc.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
On an episode of NXT UK in 2020, we were gifted with a remarkable match up between NXT UK Champion WALTER and Ilja Dragunov. This was the match that made WWE fans understand just how good WALTER was. It was a hard hitting and breathtaking match that many consider to be the greatest match from that year
After this, WALTER continued to run over each opponent in his way as he would be recognised as one of the most dominant title holders in WWE history. Meanwhile Ilja, well let's just say things weren't as delightful for him
THE DOWNFALL OF DRAGUNOV
Despite looking strong in defeat, Dragunov was massively deflated. That match with WALTER destroyed him both physically and mentally. Throughout NXT UK episodes, we'd begin to see Dragunov slowly fall apart. We'd see video packages detailing how Dragunov was feeling, he'd also start unnecessary drama with fellow Wrestlers, and he was just in this constant downward spiral
This may seem like a simple storyline but with how Dragunov executed his emotions, it was something special. Seeing how much that defeat to WALTER affected his mental wellbeing was such an intriguing spectacle
Also, Noam Dar gave him a dog. This has nothing to do with the storyline, I just felt like you all deserved to know that
DRAGUNOV’S ROAD TO REDEMPTION
As mentioned in the previous section, Dragunov continuously started unneeded animosity with his fellow competitors. These actions would have consequences as Dragunov would get himself into some dangerous encounters. One example of this was when Dragunov went one on one against Sam Gradwell in a brutal No DQ match, in which Dragunov would emerge victorious despite the pain Gradwell left upon him. Dragunov would also go on to face two fierce competitors in Rampage Brown and Joe Coffey in a Triple Threat match. After enduring clattering strikes and monstrous bumps, Dragunov yet again came out the winner even with the odds stacked against him
These victories impressed the higher ups at NXT UK, so much so that they gave Dragunov the one thing he craved. A rematch with WALTER for the NXT UK Championship
THE SECOND CHANCE
Before we would get to the infamous rematch, NXT UK held a press conference with WALTER and Dragunov. Multiple journalists asked both men questions about the upcoming bout, but the memorable moment from this whole segment was when WALTER started shouting at Dragunov, and you could see how much that hurt Dragunov mentally as he started to breakdown
Then it was time. Takeover 36, NXT UK Title on the line. One final opportunity. If you have for some reason not watched this match yet, I'd highly encourage you to do so. Genuinely one of the greatest fights I've seen in recent years, I'd even go as far to say it was better than the first one. Much like that first match, it was a physically challenging encounter for both men. It just kept getting better and better as it went on, until the unthinkable happened. Dragunov played WALTER at his own game and made him tap out. He did it. When the bell rang, Dragunov was full of shock yet satisfaction. He had successfully conquered those demons in his mind and defeated one of the greatest World Champions in recent years
Not all stories need to be complex, this entire saga is the perfect example of that
