WWE NXT video highlights: Ilja Dragunov returns

A former NXT United Kingdom Champion made his return in the show-closing angle of last night’s NXT.

For the first time since having to vacate the NXT UK title due to injury, Ilja Dragunov appeared on WWE programming last night. He confronted NXT Champion Bron Breakker and JD McDonagh after the main event of the episode.

In that main event, McDonagh defeated Tyler Bate to become the number one contender to Breakker’s NXT Championship. But McDonagh wasn’t the only person with their eyes on the title. As Breakker and McDonagh were going face-to-face, Dragunov’s music hit and he made his way out to the ring. The show ended with a staredown between all three.

There was also a significant development regarding the NXT North American Championship last night. Shawn Michaels informed Solo Sikoa that he would have to relinquish the title, and it was announced that there will be a five-way ladder match at NXT Halloween Havoc on Saturday, October 22 to crown the new North American Champion.

Sikoa defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the North American title last week, but Sikoa wasn’t supposed to be in the match. Wes Lee, who won a fan vote for the right to challenge Hayes, was taken out of the title match when he was attacked backstage by Hayes and Trick Williams.

Hayes and Oro Mensah (former NXT UK Tag Team Champion Oliver Carter) are the first two wrestlers to be confirmed for the Halloween Havoc ladder match. Lee and Tony D’Angelo will face off in a qualifier next week.

More coverage from last night —

WWE NXT video highlights —

Shawn Michaels forces Solo Sikoa to relinquish North American Championship

Nathan Frazer vs. Axiom (second match in best-of-three series)

Alba Fyre will take Mandy Rose’s title and burn her empire to the ground

Damon Kemp reveals he’s sabotaged Diamond Mine from the beginning

Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley vs. Toxic Attraction

The Schism are done waiting for acceptance

Edris Enofe & Malik Blade vs. The Dyad

Meiko Satomura thinks Roxanne Perez will be a champion soon

Wendy Choo vs. Cora Jade

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams get interrupted by Chase U

Andre Chase & Bodhi Hayward vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams

Gallus don’t want Briggs & Jensen joining their card game

Sanga vs. Von Wagner

Wes Lee will face Tony D’Angelo in a North American title qualifier next Tuesday

North American title qualifying match: Oro Mensah vs. Grayson Waller

Brutus Creed will attempt to end Damon Kemp’s career next week

Bron Breakker honors Connor’s Cure Thriver Landon “The Conqueror” Chase

Sol Ruca is coming to NXT next week

Tyler Bate vs. JD McDonagh number one contender’s match, Ilja Dragunov returns

NXT fallout: Carmelo Hayes is ready to become a three-time North American Champion

NXT fallout: Oro Mensah reacts to making his NXT debut

NXT fallout: Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark are coming for the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles

NXT fallout: Xyon Quinn gives Quincy Elliott some advice