NXT Global chads, we’re coming home…
>Fightful’s Jeremy Lambert got to catch up with NXT’s Ilja Dragunov before his upcoming match-up against NXT Heavyweight Champion Carmelo Hayes at NXT No Mercy on Saturday, September 30th.
>Jeremy brought up that when Ilja had his first match against Carmelo Hayes, some people noticed he brought out a more aggressive Carmelo Hayes. Ilja was asked if he thought that was the case. Ilja replied, “I think I bring out a lot of different things out of a lot of people.” He said when he steps into the ring, he is ready to bring in a fight.
>When asked if Hayes brought something out of him, he said most definitely because he struggled against him.
>When asked what it’s been like to be part of the different NXT brands. Ilja said he still gets to wrestle all the time, and nothing has changed. He told Fightful that the audience connects with him, and he leaves it all in the ring.
>Ilja says it’s been wonderful to perform outside of Florida with NXT. He mentioned that he enjoyed working in Boston for Battleground.
>Ilja says he would be open to returning to NXT Europe when it begins. Europe is home for him.
>He says GUNTHER [WALTER] is one-of-a-kind. Ilja says GUNTHER is the person who hits him the hardest and has pushed him the hardest. He says wrestling GUNTHER at WrestleMania would be a dream. Ilja understands that he is always an underdog in his matches with GUNTHER.
>Ilja said he knew he needed to slow down and take in the moments more when he had a son. He said he enjoys journaling when he is not wrestling.
>The interview closed with Ilja Dragunov plugging his social media account and saying fans can expect "No Mercy" in his match against Carmelo Hayes.
