Carmelo Hayes Defeats Ilja Dragunov, Retains NXT Title At NXT Great American Bash
Carmelo Hayes adds another one to the rafters.
Carmelo Hayes adds another one to the rafters.
In the main event of WWE NXT Great American Bash, Carmelo Hayes defended the NXT Championship against Ilja Dragunov. Hayes came to the ring with a special entrance that paid homage to Dusty Rhodes by including a clip of a message from the legend.
“Get a dream, hold on to it, and shoot for the sky!”@Carmelo_WWE, is ready to put on another show.#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/iXU6NhYYOG
— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2023
Throughout the bout, the former NXT UK Champion battered Hayes with a barrage of stiff strikes. His brutal chops turned Hayes’ chest bright red, and he continued to overpower the champion. Hayes got some momentum with a springboard DDT. Dragunov regained control and got a two-count with a diving senton.
Hayes caught Dragunov with a Codebreaker, but the challenger countered the Nothing But Net into a powerbomb.
THIS MATCH IS CRAZY ——#NXTGAB pic.twitter.com/zQITlv6414
— WWE (@WWE) July 31, 2023
Dragunov drilled Hayes with a stiff forearm to the head for a near fall. Hayes rallied with a cutter for a two count. The two stars traded blows, and both went down after a thrilling exchange. Dragunov took out Trick Williams at ringside. In doing so, Dragunov apparently hit his head on the NXT Champipnship, which was Williams had been holding. Hayes then pinned the challenger with the Nothing But Net. After the bell, Williams celebrated with Hayes while Dragunov, clearly frustrated with the outcome, looked on.
The win marked Hayes’ fifth successful defense of the NXT Championship on WWE programming. Hayes won the title by beating Bron Breakker at NXT Stand & Deliver 2023.
Catch up on our coverage of WWE NXT Great American Bash here. For a full review, check out our post-show podcast here.
