A WWE star has recalled their frustration with a past Ilja Dragunov match after finally getting his rematch two years later.
The October 31 episode of SmackDown saw Nathan Frazer answer Ilja Dragunov’s United States Championship open challenge in what was the Russian’s second straight week of putting his gold on the line.
Much like he did against Aleister Black the week prior, Dragunov once again retained his title in the match after a tenacious showing from Frazer, who was given a rare opportunity to compete in singles competition on SmackDown.
Despite the loss Frazer took to Twitter to express his feelings of “vindication” with he and Dragunov’s efforts, especially after their previous meeting – a November 2023 singles match on NXT – was only given a five minute runtime.
Frazer wrote:
Me and Ilja Dragunov had a match back on NXT in 2023… it left a really bitter taste in my mouth. Bell to bell, it barely lasted 5 minutes.
Last night, I got that rematch I’d been dying to have for the past two years. We went to war for the United States Championship on Smackdown.
I didn’t get the win, but it really felt like vindication for that night.
Dragunov now holds three wins over Frazer in singles competition throughout their WWE careers, with “The Mad Dragon” previously defending his NXT UK Championship against the English star in March 2022.
Me and Ilja Dragunov had a match back on NXT in 2023… it left a really bitter taste in my mouth. Bell to bell, it barely lasted 5 minutes.
Last night, I got that rematch I’d been dying to have for the past two years. We went to war for the United States Championship on… pic.twitter.com/xDy0ZrGJNR
— Nathan Frazer (@WWEFrazer) November 1, 2025
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