Ilja Dragunov Calls Out WWE for Mistreating Gunther

Ilja Dragunov has weighed in on Gunther’s recent WWE booking, suggesting that the former World Heavyweight Champion has not maintained the level of presentation established by his high-profile victories over wrestling legends. The former WWE United States Champion shared his thoughts during an appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” where he also spoke about his long-standing friendship with Gunther.

Gunther’s position in WWE changed considerably after he became known as the “Career Killer.” He retired Goldberg in 2025 before forcing John Cena to submit at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, ending Cena’s in-ring career. Gunther then added AJ Styles to that list at the 2026 Royal Rumble.

Those victories established Gunther as a dominant figure capable of ending the careers of some of WWE’s most celebrated names. However, his subsequent direction has drawn questions from fans who expected the company to continue presenting him at the same level.

Dragunov, who shared the ring with Gunther during their memorable rivalry in NXT UK, understands what the Austrian brings to the table. Their history extends beyond their matches, with Dragunov describing Gunther as a close friend he has known since around 2014 or 2015.

Asked about Gunther’s current booking, Dragunov acknowledged that he shared the concerns expressed by many fans. He praised his friend’s ability and standing in the industry but questioned whether WWE’s recent creative direction matched the standard set by Gunther’s retirement victories.

“I guess my feeling is the same feeling that a lot of other people share. If you are the person to retire John Cena, it’s a status that you should keep a certain level of that. For me, he is one of the best and he will be one of the best of all time. He is a dear friend of mine since 2014-15. I know he’s good. I know he will always do good, and whatever he does is going to be awesome. After the standard that he set and how he got portrayed that this is not necessarily the level we’re working at right now,” he said.