The Messiah of the Backbreaker and The BruiserWeight clash in a hard-hitting WWE U.K. Title showdown. Video courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.

ATLANTA — The WWE United Kingdom Title will stay in the hands of Pete Dunne after the brutal brawler outlasted Roderick Strong in a grueling championship showdown.

The BruiserWeight’s slow, callous attack reigned supreme in the early goings of the championship bout, as the titleholder methodically beat down his challenger, targeting Strong’s hands and fingers.

After he dropped the champion back-first on top of the steel steps, The Messiah of the Backbreaker turned the momentum in his favor. The champion and challenger went back-and-forth in a marathon clash before Strong seemed to be on the verge of victory following a top-rope Olympic Slam.

Amazingly, Dunne kicked out, and the foes continued their punishing fight. The challenger again had the champion in a precarious position with the Strong Hold submission, but Dunne wrenched Strong’s injured fingers. The pain sent Strong spiraling out of the ring, and when he tried to reenter the squared circle, the champion met him with a knee to the face.

Dunne then connected with the punishing Bitter End to pick up the win and retain his coveted WWE United Kingdom Title.