The rematch between Ilja Dragunov and NXT UK Champion WALTER has been delayed, as WWE just announced that WALTER is suffering from a severe injury to his left hand, and has been deemed unfit to compete.
There is no word yet on if this is a legitimate injury.
Today’s NXT UK episode opened with Triple H announcing Dragunov vs. WALTER II for next week’s show. They then went into an in-ring press conference with the champion and challenger. The presser ended with no physical altercation.
The broadcast was interrupted later on with an announcement that Dragunov and WALTER ended up fighting backstage, where WALTER suffered the left hand injury. It was then announced that the match has been delayed. WWE made the same announcements on social media.
Dragunov vs. WALTER II was to be the rematch from the October 29, 2020 NXT UK main event, which saw WALTER retain in a bout that was praised by fans and wrestlers.
WWE recently began a storyline where Dragunov has dealt with anger issues due to the previous loss to WALTER. He recently picked up singles wins over Dave Mastiff and Noam Dar, and then defeated Joe Coffey and Rampage Brown in a Triple Threat on June 24 to move to the top of the list of potential contenders. WALTER attacked Dragunov in a post-match angle that night, and choked him until he passed out.
The leader of Imperium passed 800 days as champion back in mid-June. He has held the NXT UK Title since defeating Pete Dunne at “Takeover: New York” on April 5, 2019. WALTER’s last title defense came over Brown at the NXT UK Prelude event during WrestleMania 37 Weekend. He also retained over Tommaso Ciampa that weekend at the “Takeover: Stand and Deliver” Night 1 event. The NXT UK brand took some time off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but WALTER has a January 2021 successful title defense over A-Kid, an October 2020 defense over Ilja Dragunov, January 2020 wins over Dave Mastiff and Joe Coffey, an August 2019 defense over Bate, June 2019 wins over Trent Seven and Travis Banks, and a win over Dunne in his rematch, which took place in April 2019. That’s it for his reign so far.
There is no word yet on when Dragunov vs. WALTER II will take place, or what the story is with WALTER’s reported injury.
Stay tuned for more on WALTER and Dragunov. You can see related posts from today’s show below, along with WWE’s injury announcement.
Look who's here on @NXTUK!@TripleH kicks off #NXTUK with a blockbuster announcement.
NEXT WEEK… @WalterAUT vs. @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR for the #NXTUK Championship.
WALTER/DRAGUNOV II pic.twitter.com/R3Sf1ZYZnO
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
"@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR is a fantastic athlete, but he does not have the mental ability to step up to my level."
The #NXTUK Champion has spoken. pic.twitter.com/Z7pVwMkVEL
— NXT UK (@NXTUK) July 15, 2021
.@WalterAUT lays it all out for @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR at the press conference ahead of their #NXTUK Championship Rematch! pic.twitter.com/AJ3Py4SIjv
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
"I redefined this sport, @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR. And last time, you were just happy enough to be a part of it."#NXTUK Champion @WalterAUT is laser-focused on the highly-anticipated WALTER/Dragunov II.
Get ready for another classic encounter. pic.twitter.com/w2SWoRCzE6
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
The tremendous @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR is more ready than ever to challenge @WalterAUT for the #NXTUK Championship. pic.twitter.com/dGGFidWBBk
— NXT UK (@NXTUK) July 15, 2021
WALTER/Dragunov II
Get ready for an instant classic, an absolute spectacle, a match that will continue to define and cement the legacy of the sacred @NXTUK Championship in the spirit of competition between the two very best on #NXTUK.
This will be a cannot miss encounter. pic.twitter.com/aN0rCeWB0I
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
BREAKING NEWS
Following an altercation backstage between @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR & #NXTUK Champion @WalterAUT, the champion has suffered an injury to his left hand.
The @NXTUK Championship Match will now be put on hold until further notice. More information to come soon. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/HDjqZAWXU0
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
BREAKING NEWS
WWE medical staff has confirmed @NXTUK Champion @WalterAUT has suffered a severe injury to his left hand and has been deemed unfit to compete for his scheduled rematch with @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR.
Stay locked in for more updates on this quickly developing story. pic.twitter.com/0ikZn4t4NF
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
WWE Announces “Severe Injury” To WALTER
