Ilja Dragunov Defeats Walter To Win NXT UK Championship At TakeOver 36

Ilja Dragunov finally becomes the man to dethrone Walter and win the WWE NXT United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver 36.

On tonight’s TakeOver, Walter and Dragunov participated in a really violent match. By the end of this match, Dragunov managed to put down “The Ring General” by a standing rear-naked choke. Walter was forced to submit once he was hoisted off his feet.

With this victory, Dragunov ended Walter’s 870 days title reign and became the new champion. Walter is the longest-reigning champion in the modern WWE. He won the NXT UK championship by defeating Pete Dunne in April 2019. Throughout his reign of 850+ days, Walter defended his title against Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Travis Banks, Joe Coffey, Dave Mastiff, A-Kid, Ilja Dragunov, Tomasso Ciampa, and Rampage Brown.

Dragunov and Walter were initially supposed to have their rematch in July this year. However, it got postponed due to Walter’s undisclosed injury. Now, the rematch finally took place at NXT TakeOver 36 and The Ring General fell short against Dragunov in their rematch.

Ilja Dragunov becomes the fourth NXT UK Champion in the title’s five years lifespan. Before him, Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, Walter held this belt.