Nathan Frazer Says SmackDown Bout Against Ilja Dragunov Felt Like Vindication For Five Minute Match In 2023

Nathan Frazer answered the US Title Open Challenge of Ilja Dragunov on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

After nearly 20 minutes, Dragunov was victorious in the bout, successfully retaining his US Title.

Frazer posted the following message on social media:

“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.”

Ilja Dragunov and Nathan Frazer first met in 2022 in NXT UK when Frazer challenged for the NXT UK Championship. A year later, they faced in NXT, which is the five-minute match Frazer referenced in his post.

Fans can find results from WWE SmackDown here.