Results of Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov at WWE NXT No Mercy 2023 PLE

Carmelo Hayes (c) (with Trick Williams) vs. Ilja Dragunov for the world title took place during the WWE NXT No Mercy 2023 PLE. Here were the highlights…

* Dragunov took Hayes with a big boot right off the bat. Dragunov dominated the early moments and kicked Hayes off the apron to the outside of the ring. Hayes, who was fired up, got back in the ring and tackled Dragunov to the mat. Dragunov wiped out Hayes with a big clothesline and regained the upper hand.

* Dragunov delivered numerous machine gun chops in the corner but Hayes fought back with chops of his own. After catching Dragunov with an enziguri, Hayes came off the ropes with a springboard bulldog but Dragunov kicked out.

* Dragunov hit a coast to coast but Hayes kicked out. Dragunov kept going with the offense but couldn’t put away Hayes even with an H-bomb forearm off the top rope. The two traded blows on the apron and Hayes gave Dragunov a cutter onto the floor. The crowd chanted “NXT” and “this is awesome.”

* Back in the ring, Dragunov hit another H-Bomb off the top rope and was finally able to pin Hayes to win the title. Dragunov shook hands with Hayes after the match and hugged him.