Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragunov

It’s time for the opener as Finn Balor makes his way out to a pop as Alicia Taylor does the introductions. Ilja Dragunov is out next for our first NXT vs. NXT UK match.

The bell rings and they lock up. They tangle and go to the mat for more. They break and lock back up. Balor takes Dragunov down with a headlock. Dragunov turns it around. Dragunov ends up hitting a crossbody for a quick pin attempt. Dragunov taunts Balor in the middle of the ring and tells him to bring it. Dragunov with a shot to the mouth. They go at it and Balor rolls through, then slaps Dragunov in the mouth. Balor sends Dragunov to the floor and nails a big running dropkick through the ropes.

Balor brings it back into the ring and chops Dragunov in the corner. Dragunov counters and drops Balor. Dragunov hits a big senton for a 2 count. Dragunov keeps Balor grounded now. Balor ends up on the floor for a breather and Dragunov puts on the brakes when charging. Dragunov goes on and leaps out, taking Balor down. Dragunov brings it back into the ring but Balor rolls right back out. Dragunov goes back to the top for a double ax handle to the floor but Balor moves and Dragunov lands hard.

Balor with boots to the face as the referee counts them. Balor brings Dragunov back into the ring and nails a dropkick to the back of the head for a 2 count. Balor keeps Dragunov grounded now. Balor slams Dragunov back to the mat and covers for a 2 count. Balor with boots to keep Dragunov down as the referee warns him. Balor gets back in the face of the referee and then stomps away on Dragunov for a pop as the referee backs him off.

Balor keeps control and delivers more chops. Balor grounds Dragunov now. Dragunov fights up but Balor goes for a suplex. Dragunov counters and hits one of his own for a pop. Dragunov with a running knee to the face in the corner. Dragunov keeps control and levels Balor. Dragunov yells out for some boos. Dragunov with a clothesline in the corner. Dragunov exposes the knee and nails a knee drop to the throat from the second rope. Balor still kicks out at 2.

Dragunov with strikes to the neck, then knee strikes. Balor takes him down but ends up getting dropped with another big knee for a 2 count. Dragunov scoops Balor but Balor slides out and hits a double stomp to the mat. Dragunov tells Balor to bring it now, while on his knees. They trade big strikes in the middle of the ring now. Balor with a chop. Dragunov with a kick to the head. More back and forth. Balor goes for 1916 but it’s blocked. Balor drops Dragunov with the elbow across the throat. Balor with a Slingblade from the corner. Balor runs into a kick to the face. Dragunov with a huge dead-lift German suplex for a 2 count. Dragunov comes back with a big clothesline. Balor goes out but Dragunov leaps from the top and takes him down on the floor.

Dragunov brings Balor back into the ring. Dragunov goes to the top with a Coast 2 Coast for a close 2 count. Balor is bleeding from his nose now. Dragunov goes to the top for a big senton but Balor gets his knees up. Balor with a running dropkick into the corner. Fans pop as Balor goes to the top and hits Coup de Grace. The pop continues as Balor nails 1916 in the middle of the ring for the pin to win.

Winner: Finn Balor

After the match, Balor stands tall and walks around the ring, looking out at the crowd, as his music hits. We go to replays. Balor poses in the corner and wipes the blood from his nose, then points out at the crowd as the referee checks on Dragunov.

Related Links, Photos & More:
» FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT UK > 2020 > January 25th (Worlds Collide)
» FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT UK > 2020 > January 25th (Worlds Collide)