10 Most Violent WWE Matches Of The Modern Era
2. Ilja Dragunov Vs. Walter - NXT UK (29 October 2020)
The clearest example of a recent WWE match approaching a 2000s ROH main event or classic King's Road levels of physical brutality, just two experts at their craft mauling each other with chops, kicks and suplexes until one of them can't move anymore. While it’s not the most brutal match in WWE history, it is a punishing tribute to European wrestling’s notoriously hard hitting history and one of the best matches of 2020.
WALTER's epic United Kingdom Championship reign has been interrupted by the global pandemic, destining a dream match between him and Finn Bálor to linger in production hell, but his return to title defences against Igor Dragunov was immaculate. Taking advantage of the lack of fans and silent atmosphere of the room, WALTER brutalised his smaller opponent with sickening chops, the sound echoing throughout the entire building as the commentators gasped.
Dragunov's refusal to quit put him over as a heroic babyface, taking 30 minutes of punishment but still finding the strength to hit the giant Austrian with suplexes. Ilja kicking out of everything only to be choked out by the most gnarly sleeper hold of the modern era was a perfect finish to a relentlessly violent wrestling match.