NXT TakeOver: Cardiff Results (8/31/19) - New Champions crowned, British Strong Style reunites

The Ring General battled the Big Strong Boi in the main event
The Ring General battled the Big Strong Boi in the main event
Ilja Draganov took Cesaro to the limit in a surprising show-stealing performance
Ilja Draganov took Cesaro to the limit in a surprising show-stealing performance

Ilja Draganov vs Cesaro

Draganov started off with a running big boot out the gate. He and Cesaro traded chops, with the former United States Champion getting the better of the trade. A shoulder block knocked him to the mat, but he responded with a running forearm.

Cesaro caught Draganov going for a crossbody. Draganov escaped his grasp and both he and Cesaro barely missed their strikes. Draganov told him to bring it, leading to a strong European uppercut. Cesaro continued to pelt Draganov with chops, only making the red-eyed brawler more enraged.

Draganov eventually won a striking trade, sending Cesaro into the corner. However, a leaping body splash was caught by Cesaro, who dumped Draganov over the ropes and onto the floor. Draganov was then dropped head first onto the barricade. Back inside the ring, Cesaro kicked Draganov in the jaw, following up with a body slam and a leg drop. Draganov kicked out at two.

Draganov fought back to his feet but was immediately brought down again with a back suplex. A guillotine in the ropes damaged the throat of Draganov, and Cesaro trapped him in a side headlock. Draganov broke out and kicked Cesaro in the face, and managed to counter another back suplex with a crossbody. He ran into the ropes for the 619, only for Cesaro to catch him and swing him around the ring for nearly three dozen rotations.

Cesaro trapped Draganov in a crossface. Draganov fought through and turned it into a pin. Cesaro broke out but was met by the 619 clothesline. Another clothesline leveled the Swiss Superman, and Draganov countered an uppercut with a backslide. Cesaro tried to stop it, leading to a jumping enziguri from Draganov. Cesaro was then dumped overhead and placed inside the ropes for a leg drop from the top rope. Draganov pounded the chest of Cesaro with chops before Cesaro worked his way back to his feet and traded strikes with Draganov again.

Dozens of chops to the throat weren't enough to put down Cesaro, who dropped Draganov with a GTS and a running uppercut to a seated Draganov. Still Draganov managed to break out of the pin. Draganov countered another uppercut with a backslide and when he broke out, sent Cesaro into the corner with a death valley driver.

A senton from the top rope looked to finish the match, but Cesaro managed to power out of the pinfall. Dragano hyped up the crowd and ran in, but a pop-up uppercut stunned him, allowing Cesaro to hit the Neutralizer for the win.

Results: Cesaro defeated Ilja Draganov via pinfall.

After the match, Cesaro chook the hand of Draganov and gave him the chance to celebrate in the middle of the ring.

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