Ilja Dragunov is back.
On the February 7 episode of WWE NXT, Carmelo Hayes aimed to keep gaining momentum when he faced JD McDonagh, who confronted him earlier in the show and told him that he wasn’t ready for the world title scene. The former NXT North American Champion defeated McDonagh, but he had a little help. Dragunov ran to the ring in the closing minutes and took out Hayes’ hype man. The chaos disrupted the bout, and “Melo” made the most of the situation by pinning McDonagh. Dragunov got on the apron and teased going after Hayes before he took the fight to McDonagh. Dragunov then chased McDonagh when he tried to run away.
ILJA DRAGUNOV IS BACK!!!@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/XOXJoBLgum
— WWE (@WWE) February 8, 2023
Dragunov had been sidelined since McDonagh defeated him on the October 25 episode of NXT. He was stretchered out after the match, and prior to Tuesday night, he hadn’t been seen since.
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