Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes both eliminated in first-ever WWE Speed draw
Former NXT Champions Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes renewed their rivalry on this week’s episode of WWE Speed.
In the first-ever time limit draw to take place on the show, Dragunov and Hayes wrestled for the full three minutes without a winner being decided. Per the rules, Dragunov and Hayes are both eliminated from the WWE Speed Championship number one contender’s tournament. Baron Corbin earns a bye and will challenge Andrade for the WWE Speed title on the episode that airs on X/Twitter next Wednesday (July 24).
Dragunov vs. Hayes was taped in Worcester, Massachusetts before WWE SmackDown last Friday. Dragunov had the advantage when the three-minute time limit expired. After the match, Hayes kicked him and they needed to be kept apart by officials.
WWE uploaded a post-match promo where Dragunov said he wasn’t all that surprised by the draw, because he knows Hayes is someone who can push him to the limit. The two feuded over the NXT Championship last year in a series of matches against each other.
Hayes also cut a promo saying he knows this won’t be the last time he and Dragunov wrestle.
In the 2024 WWE Draft, Dragunov and Hayes were both called up to the main roster. Dragunov is involved in a program with Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn and Bron Breakker on Raw. Hayes is on SmackDown and recently took part in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.