Following Ilja Dragunov relinquishing the NXT UK Championship, Tyler Bate has become the brand’s first two-time champion at the latest NXT UK tapings.
Mere hours after reports emerged of Ilja Dragunov vacating the NXT UK Championship due to injury, a new champion has already been crowned in the form of Tyler Bate.
‘The Big Strong Boi’ defeated former Moustache Mountain partner Trent Seven in the finals of an eight-man tournament on day two of the tapings to capture the championship. Oliver Carter and Mark Coffey joined them in the semifinals, according to those in attendance.
Defeating ‘The Don’ marks the second time Tyler Bate has served as NXT UK Champion. He was the inaugural champion crowned when he defeated Pete Dunne in the original tournament finals. In this run, Bate lasted just four months as champion as he was dethroned by the now-Butch in a critically-acclaimed affair.
It was reported that Ilja Dragunov had vacated the NXT UK Championship due to injury. Although the exact nature of this injury wasn’t reported, he was spotted wearing a walking boot. He’d reigned as champion since last August after defeating WALTER, and has since defended against the likes of Roderick Strong, Jordan Devlin, and A-Kid.
When, exactly, Ilja Dragunov returns to action remains to be seen. He last wrestled on 23 June for a match yet to air.