NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov recently spoke to Scott Fishman from TV Insider, and one of the questions the talented star was asked, was what advice John Cena gave him backstage at NXT two weeks ago.

Dragunov revealed:

"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.”

The reigning NXT Champion also discussed what it was like encountering legends such as The Undertaker:

"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.”

Dragunov is set to defend his NXT Title once again against Carmelo Hayes next week on night two of Halloween Havoc.

H/T – Fightful.