Carmelo Hayes hasn’t faced anyone quite like Ilja Dragunov.
2023 saw Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov compete in a trilogy over the NXT Championship. Hayes retained in their first battle at NXT Great American Bash with Trick Williams involved, but Dragunov emerged victorious at NXT No Mercy in September and then again at NXT Halloween Havoc.
Hayes recently spoke to Vibe and opened up about his battles against “The Mad Dragon.”
“Every opponent that [I’ve faced], especially for this NXT Championship, has been tough,” Hayes said. “There’s not been one opponent that I’ve faced that was easy. But as far as Ilja Dragunov, he’s just of a different breed. You’re not going to go in there and get your greatest hits off against him. You’re going to go in there, fight for your life, and hope you come out victorious.”
“I took advantage [of an opportunity] and that’s what a champion does,” he added. “I wasn’t going to just sit, [lose] and ask for a rematch. ‘Oh no, no, no, something happened.’ Dragunov, he’s a wild man. He went for it and he paid for it and then I went off the top and ended him with Nothing But Net.”
Hayes is still in the chase to regain the NXT title, while his friendship with Trick Williams remains uncertain heading into 2024. Dragunov is slated to defend the NXT Championship against Williams at NXT New Year’s Evil on January 2.
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