WWE sets date for Dragunov vs. Brown NXT UK title match

Ilja Dragunov’s next NXT United Kingdom Championship defense is now official.

Dragunov will put his NXT United Kingdom Championship on the line against Rampage Brown on the NXT UK episode that airs two weeks from now (Thursday, December 2). The title defense will be Dragunov’s second since becoming NXT United Kingdom Champion.

At NXT TakeOver 36 this August, Dragunov won the NXT United Kingdom title by defeating WALTER in an instant classic match. Dragunov’s first title defense took place on NXT UK last month, with him retaining against A-Kid.

A-Kid got that title shot by defeating Joe Coffey and Brown in a triple threat match.

Dragunov cut a promo on NXT UK two weeks ago thanking A-Kid for their match. Dragunov said he needs next-level competitors and is looking forward to his next title defense. Brown, who had defeated Flash Morgan Webster earlier in the night, then interrupted Dragunov.

Brown told Dragunov that they have some unfinished business, and he’d love to be the next man to face Dragunov for the NXT UK title. Dragunov accepted the challenge and offered Brown a handshake. Brown went to shake Dragunov’s hand but then dropped him with a lariat. Brown said he doesn’t need Dragunov’s respect — all he needs is the NXT UK title.

An interview with Dragunov aired on today’s NXT UK episode. Dragunov said Brown is a monster and most people should be afraid of him, but Dragunov isn’t most people. Dragunov said legends and myths weren’t written about giants, they were written about the courageous heroes who made them fall.