WALTER Out Of Ilja Dragunov Clash Due To “Severe Hand Injury”
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER is set to miss his highly anticipated clash with Ilja Dragunov due to injury.
On the most recent episode of NXT UK WALTER and Dragunov signed the contracts for the eagerly awaited rematch. After the signing there was an altercation backstage which has reportedly led to the injury.
It was announced by WWE on Twitter that the bout has now been postponed as a result of the injury. The match had been due to take place next week.
The nature of the injury is currently unknown.
BREAKING NEWS
WWE medical staff has confirmed @NXTUK Champion @WalterAUT has suffered a severe injury to his left hand and has been deemed unfit to compete for his scheduled rematch with @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR.
Stay locked in for more updates on this quickly developing story. pic.twitter.com/0ikZn4t4NF
— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2021
The pair first met for the championship in October 2020, in a brutal contest which received praise across the board. It was temporarily the highest rated WWE match of all-time on Cagematch.net, before being awarded a five star rating from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.
WALTER signed with WWE in 2019, debuting at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool in January of that year. The giant Austrian defeated Pete Dunne for the NXT United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver: New York that April.
The leader of Imperium has since gone on to become the longest reigning champion in the belts history, and currently stands as the longest reigning champion in WWE today.
Since winning the title, WALTER has defeated the likes of Tyler Bate, Tomasso Ciampa and most recently Rampage Brown.