Cesaro issues open challenge at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff

Ilja Dragunov answered Cesaro’s open challenge at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff.

At the end of the match, Cesaro hit a pop-up uppercut as Dragunov was going for Torpedo Moscow. Cesaro then hit the Neutralizer to get the win. 

Cesaro came back to the ring after the match and faked like he was going to attack Dragunov, but he instead offered a handshake. They shook hands and Cesaro spoke in Dragunov’s ear.

WWE posted a video earlier this week revealing that Cesaro would be appearing at UK TakeOver: Cardiff. Cesaro teased that he’d be taking a more “hands-on approach,” and it was announced prior to the show that Cesaro would be issuing an open challenge.

Dragunov walked up to Cesaro during a backstage interview at TakeOver, then went out to the ring and told Cesaro that he was waiting.

Dragunov has now lost two televised matches in NXT UK, with his losses coming against Cesaro and Kassius Ohno. Dragunov defeated Tyson T-Bone on the go-home show for TakeOver.

January’s NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool special also featured a match that involved a member of the main roster. Finn Balor made a surprise appearance and defeated Jordan Devlin at that show.