WWE star and current reigning NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov recently joined TV Insider to hype up this evening’s Halloween Havoc television special. Dragunov will be defending his title against Carmelo Hayes at Halloween Havoc part II, which takes place next Tuesday.
During the interview, the champ was asked about the advice he received from John Cena during Cena’s recent cameo on NXT television. This is what he had to say:
It wasn’t a long conversation. What I really appreciated was him just randomly pulling me aside. This was something that doesn’t happen every day. He spoke about making moments and building a connection. That is what we were talking about. He gives you a whole different perspective, even when you may have the same opinion on things. When you have his approval, then you have the right mindset for this business, and you are on the right path.
Later in the chat Dragunov was asked about The Undertaker being at NXT and what that meant to the talent backstage.
Meeting those legendary performers for the first time. You feel the connection between the present and the past in a very special way. A lot of people felt proud because you watched those guys growing up and now you’re in the same working environment. It gets you feeling in life, you feel everything is possible.
In a separate interview, Dragunov promised that he will not only retain his NXT title against Carmelo Hayes next week, but make Hayes’ life a nightmare in their rubber match. You can read about that here.