Booker T On Ilja Dragunov – ‘When You Look At Him, You Believe’

On the latest edition of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T talked about NXT’s iteration of the 2023 Great American Bash pay-per-view event in Austin, Texas. The main event of the night saw Carmelo Hayes retain the NXT Championship against Ilja Dragunov in a sensational match.

Discussing the match, Booker, who has been highly appreciative of both young Superstars, praised Ilja Dragunov’s presence, believability and fighting spirit, highlighting his ability to command attention in the ring. He commended Dragunov for pushing Carmelo Hayes to his limits and delivering an impressive performance during the NXT Championship match at the Great American Bash. He said,

“That boy Melo and the Mad Dragon. I’m gonna tell you right now: best match I’ve seen Carmelo in since I’ve been in NXT. Best match, and the props go to Drag. Dragunov brought the fight, and he made Carmelo Hayes after braving everything in that fight, in order to walk out and still the NXT Champion.

Now taking nothing away from Carmelo Hayes, but Dragunov is a guy that when you look at him, you believe. It’s almost like, this is what say about when fans. When fans watching the matches, they’re sitting there as fans and they’re watching the guys come out and they do their stuff. And certain guys go to the ring, boom. They have their matches. Then the next match come out and they have their match. Then the next guy comes out and has their match, and then they announce, ‘Okay, Dragunov is coming out. And then the kid goes, ‘Oh man, wait a minute. You saw all those other matches. Watch this guy.’ That’s the ticket. That’s what Dragunov brings to the table. And I tell you man, from the outset, just from the interest. From the pose on the ropes, with the red eyes, oh man. And then bringing the noise and the fight, Carmelo Hayes was in a fight of his life. And I’ll tell you, he brought it. He brought it, he went out and did what I’m expecting this young man to do on a weekly basis. And that’s go out there and be able to wrestle at the highest level, but when it’s time to get into a fight, let’s bring the noise.”

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