Ilja Dragunov is arguably the most intense wrestler on the NXT roster. “The Mad Dragon” seems to have little regard for his or his opponent inside the ring. Even when he isn’t competing, Dragunov can be the most intimidating person inside the Capitol Wrestling Center aka the Performance Center.
Ilja Dragunov was recently interviewed by Adrian Hernandez for his YouTube channel. The Czar was asked to comment on his intense personality inside the ring. The interviewer also showed Dragunov a photo of when his veins nearly popped out of his skull during the match between Dominik Mysterio and Carmelo Hayes on the September 19 episode of NXT.
Dragunov said he doesn’t know how he gets his veins to pop on his face or if he could do this again.
“I was thinking, ‘How perfect a situation can possibly be!?’ Like how often this picture came up on my timeline and on my post was ridiculous. But I don’t know how I do this (laughs). And I don’t know if I can do this again,” Dragunov said.
The former NXT UK Champion does seem to have a slight idea of why his face gets covered with veins whenever he goes through a range of intense emotions.
“Sometimes I get very dehydrated before going out to the ring. I don’t know. I just need to drink more water during the day.”
Ilja Dragunov won NXT title at No Mercy
After failing to beat Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Championship at NXT: The Great American Bash, Ilja Dragunov defeated Melo for the title at NXT No Mercy. The pair put on a match of the year contender in front of a red-hot crowd at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield, California.
The win made Dragunov the only European to have captured the NXT UK and NXT Championship. Dragunov made an appearance on the No Mercy fallout episode of NXT this past Tuesday, where he welcomed the NXT Universe to the era of The Czar.
Ilja Dragunov was interrupted by Trick Williams before the two congratulated each other on winning the strap. The NXT Champion was confronted by Baron Corbin backstage. It remains to be see if the confrontation will turn physical next week on NXT.
Fans can check out the card for 10/10 NXT here.
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