On the latest edition of WWE NXT, the wrestling world was taken aback when current NXT Champion, Ilja Dragunov, fell victim to an unexpected twist. Known for his relentless spirit and willingness to defend his title against any challenger, Dragunov has been a true embodiment of a fighting champion.
The storyline leading up to this unexpected turn of events involved Carmelo Hayes initially positioning himself as the next contender for Dragunov’s NXT Championship.
However, the scenario took a dramatic turn when Tony D’Angelo, in a cunning maneuver, inserted himself into the title picture, setting the stage for a high-stakes number-one contender’s match, which D’Angelo won using his crafty tactics.
In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo was depicted enjoying a family dinner and discussing the recent happenings on the show when Dragunov interrupted the gathering. What followed was a tense conversation between the NXT Champion and his newly minted challenger.
Acknowledging D’Angelo’s victory last week, Dragunov expressed his determination to retain the NXT Title.
Tony D and The Family have put Ilja Dragunov in the boot of the car & KIDNAPPED him 😭#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/mwtC7QKcNB
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) March 13, 2024
However, the situation took a dark turn when, out of nowhere, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo and Luca Crusifino, seemingly affiliated with D’Angelo, forcibly kidnapped Dragunov. The champion was swiftly placed in the trunk of a car, which D’Angelo promptly drove away.
Taking Dragunov to a bridge, D’Angelo delivered a stern message, stating that Ilja couldn’t enter his restaurant without facing consequences.
In a tense exchange, D’Angelo emphasized the fear Dragunov instilled in his opponents but claimed he held the power to end it all with a snap of his fingers. In a daring move, Dragunov challenged him to do so, prompting D’Angelo to cryptically instruct him to find his own way before departing.
This unexpected and dramatic confrontation between Tony D’Angelo and Ilja Dragunov has undoubtedly added layers of intrigue to their upcoming title match at WWE NXT Stand & Deliver.
As the wrestling world eagerly anticipates this clash, the stakes have been raised, promising a gripping showdown between the current champion and his enigmatic challenger.
