Trick Williams may have taken the NXT Championship away from Ilja Dragunov, but the new champion has nothing but love for his fellow NXT star.
Speaking during an appearance on WWE’s The Bump, Williams was asked what he would say to Dragunov following his win, and Trick did nothing but praise the former champion.
“Me and Ilja went to war four times, and I credit Ilja Dragunov as the opponent who’s taken my career to the next level on multiple occasions,” said Williams (via Fightful). “The first time we had a match was probably around two years ago. That was the first time I think I was accepted as a true performer here, that I belonged in this business. Second time after that was Heatwave. We went to war, and everybody saw that, ‘Oh, Trick Williams, he’s the real deal.’”
Williams went on to say that no matter, he will have love for Dragunov, calling his “brother” and saying he’d always appreciate the man.
“Last time was Vengeance Day, when Melo turned on me, but another banger. So for me to finally get the win over Ilja Dragunov in the fourth one, man, no doubt about it, that’s my brother,” Williams said. “I love Ilja Dragunov. The things he’s done for me in my career has been nothing short of amazing, so I forever will appreciate him for that. He’s second to none.”
