Ilja Dragunov: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Ilja Dragunov keeps Sami Zayn's weekly U.S. Title open-challenge tradition, calling it his "duty." After a torn ACL sidelined him, Dragunov returned Oct.

Wrestling News / FirstSportz / October 25

Triple H Comments on Ilja Dragunov’s First Successful US Title Defense on SmackDown

The most pleasing takeaway for fans from this week’s SmackDown was the continuation of the United States title Open Challenge. Ilja Dragunov, who ousted Sami Zayn for the gold last Friday, vowed to carry forward the legacy of the open challenge.

Wrestling News / SportsInfo / October 20

3 wrestlers who might challenge Ilja Dragunov for the United States Championship

Ilja Dragunov won the United States Championship on his return on Friday Night SmackDown by dethroning Sami Zayn The Czar of NXT might have a rematch with

Wrestling News / FirstSportz / October 19

Ex-WWE Star Debunks Report About Sami Zayn’s US Title Loss to Ilja Dragunov on SmackDown

Ilja Dragunov‘s WWE return from a torn ACL on this week’s SmackDown proved to be his best night on the main roster. ‘The Mad Dragon’ not only answered Sami Zayn‘s call in the United States Title Open Challenge but also went on to dethrone the erstwhile ‘Honorary Uce’ for the gold.

Wrestling News / The Sportster / October 18

Surprising Star Specifically Chose Ilja Dragunov To Beat Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn personally picked Ilja Dragunov to dethrone him for the U.S. Title. Dragunov returned from injury, answered the open challenge, and won in a match called one of the year's best.

Wrestling News / FirstSportz / October 18

Ilja Dragunov Upsets Sami Zayn for the US Title in Emphatic WWE Return After over a Year on SmackDown

Having injured his right knee during a live event in Columbus last year, Ilja Dragunov made it back to WWE programming on this week’s SmackDown. And that’s not it.

Wrestling News / The Sportster / October 18

Ilja Dragunov Returns to WWE SmackDown, Wins United States Championship

Ilja Dragunov returned to SmackDown and dethroned Sami Zayn for his first main roster U.S. Title. He answered Zayn's open challenge, showed new neck ink, then was attacked post-match by MFT.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / October 17

Ilja Dragunov Shocks the World; Win Title on WWE SmackDown In His Return

Ilja Dragunov has been on the injured list for a year after a blown right knee. This week on WWE SmackDown, Dragunov saw the opportunity and he took it.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / October 17

Ilja Dragunov Returns to WWE on SmackDown After a Year On the Shelf

A defiant Sami Zayn pleaded his case to WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, regarding why he isn’t on the show to continue his U.S. Open Challenge.

Wrestling News / Wrestling on SI / August 31

Major Update On The Return Of Injured WWE Raw Superstar

The Mad Dragon appears to be on his way back to the ring. Ilja Dragunov has been out of action for nearly a year after he suffered a torn ACL during a match with Gunther at a WWE live event last September.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / June 12

Why Ilja Dragunov Will Return for the King of the Ring Tournament

This year’s edition of Night of Champions will feature the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, with the winners going on to have a match for their brand’s world championship at SummerSlam.

Wrestling News / FirstSportz / June 12

Positive Update on Ilja Dragunov’s WWE Return from a Torn ACL

It has not been an easy road for Ilja Dragunov on the main roster. Having officially been called up to Raw in the 2024 WWE Draft, the Moscow-born grappler suffered a torn ACL injury in late September while wrestling his arch-rival Gunther during a live event.