10 Best WWE Matches Ever (According To The Internet)
6. Ilja Dragunov Vs. WALTER (NXT TakeOver: 36)
A darling like few others in independent wrestling by the time he surprisingly signed on the dotted line for WWE, WALTER was one of the rare prodigious signings touted as a can’t-hit rather than the cliched opposite.
Not literally, of course. His chop was his most potent weapon in the ring and his most useful one for catching Vince McMahon’s attention. But a physique not typically in keeping with McMahon’s taste, a lack of obvious line delivery dexterity and zero Sports Entertainment sparkle didn’t exactly shine the best light on - and here’s the most frustrating bit - one of the best wrestlers in the f*cking world.
By the time his 2021 rematch with Ilja Dragunov rolled around, this thankfully wasn't much of a problem. Having held the ill-fated WWE/NXT United Kingdom Championship for 870 days, he was at very least established as the company's biggest Big Bad and Dragunov knew it better than most.
He'd waited 10 months for a second shot at the belt after their minor miracle in the BT Sports studio, and this gripping sequel was almost as epic as the original. Dragunov's back being as pickled as his gnarly front by the end was the perfect visual signifier for what his body went through over 22 absorbing minutes, as was his emotional breakdown as he clasped his hard-earned prize. Securing it via tap-out was key too - he never gave up in their two clashes or over the long haul. It was this that separated him from the 'Ring General' when it counted.