This WWE Star "Couldn't Sleep" After NXT TakeOver 36

Nobody can blame this WWE wrestler for struggling to nod off after NXT TakeOver.

by Jamie Kennedy
Ilja Dragunov NXT UK Champion
WWE.com

Ilja Dragunov somehow made it back to his hotel room in one piece following a blistering battle with Walter at NXT TakeOver 36.

Both men walloped the living sh*te out of one another, but they produced one of the best WWE matches in living memory by doing do. Afterwards, as Ilja explained to Metro, the new NXT UK Champion had a difficult time getting to sleep.

Pain was one reason, of course. Dragunov's chest and neck were covered in blisters and bruises from Walter's fearsome chops, but the new champ had another reason for struggling to kip. Basically, he was running high on adrenaline...and he wanted to check out all the response to his bout online.

Advertisement

Nobody can blame the guy for that - he'd just worked a marvel.

Ilja just knew that the reaction on Twitter would be positive, and it was. So, he nursed his body (which, let's be honest, had to be screaming with pain) and caught up on all the good vibes. It was hours before his brain was able to shut off enough to get a little sleep.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.