Ilja Dragunov: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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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.

Wrestling News / Fights Around The World / October 22

AEW Dynamite 10/21 Results: IIja Dragunov Makes AEW Debut, Steven Borden Returns

WrestleDream was over, but some rivalries will never die. AEW walked into South Florida and took over the city. Inside the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, the crowd came alive as Wednesday night Dynamite unfolded like the opening scene of a new chapter in a dramatic professional wrestling soap opera.

Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / October 22

Ilja Dragunov Addresses Brock Lesnar No-Selling His Offense at Royal Rumble: 'Glad People Were Upset On My Behalf'

Ilja Dragunov has addressed the reaction to Brock Lesnar no-selling his offense before eliminating him from the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble. The former United States Champion said he appreciated fans getting angry on his behalf, explaining why the moment did not change how he viewed his own performance.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / October 21

AEW Dynamite Results (10/21/26): Ilja Dragunov Wins Debut Match

The WrestleDream event follow-up led the night on this week's episode of AEW Dynamite. At WrestleDream, The Young Bucks defeated Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight of The Don Callis Family to retain their AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / October 21

Former WWE Star Ilja Dragunov To Make AEW In-Ring Debut Tonight

Former WWE star Ilja Dragunov will wrestle his first match for AEW tonight, just days after officially joining the company. Dragunov will face “Speedball” Mike Bailey on Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite from the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / October 21

AEW Dynamite Preview (10/21/26): Start Time, Match Card

AEW WrestleDream was packed with action, but the biggest news item from the PPV was undoubtedly the highly anticipated debut of Ilja Dragunov. Dragunov elected to test the waters of free agency and not renew his contract with WWE.

Ilja Dragunov News / Yardbarker / October 20

Ilja Dragunov discusses his WWE departure, AEW debut

After spending seven years under the WWE umbrella, which included winning the United States and NXT Championships, Dragunov made his AEW debut on Saturday at WrestleDream, giving the promotion a much-needed positive boost after the sudden deaths of Benjamin "Pac" Satterley and Andy “The Butcher” Williams.

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Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / October 18

Ilja Dragunov Reveals Why He Joined AEW Ahead of His In-Ring Debut

The Mad Dragon has arrived in All Elite Wrestling as company president Tony Khan continues his hot streak of landing free agents that fit his brand of professional wrestling like a glove.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / October 17

Ilja Dragunov Arrives in AEW at WrestleDream 2026

Following the vignette that aired on the October 14 Dynamite and Collision 3-hour special, Ilja Dragunov is now officially All Elite after arriving in AEW at the WrestleDream 2026 pay-per-view in Orlando, Florida.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / August 27

The Latest on The New Day and Ilja Dragunov Potentially Joining AEW

Are the New Day and Ilja Dragunov AEW bound? The WWE Universe got a shock to its system back in May when it was announced that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day would depart the company.

Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / August 25

Tony Khan Comments On Ilja Dragunov's AEW Chances After WWE Exit

Tony Khan has addressed the speculation surrounding Ilja Dragunov following the former WWE United States Champion’s departure from the Stamford-based company.

Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / August 25

Backstage News on Ilja Dragunov Emerges After WWE Exit

Ilja Dragunov’s WWE run is over, but the latest update on his departure suggests the door had not been closed on a return until fairly recently. The former United States Champion and WWE were reportedly still working on plans for his return to television two months ago, before those discussions eventually went nowhere.

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Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / August 22

WWE News & Rumors: Weekly Roundup (August 22, 2026)

It has been a busy week in WWE, both on television and behind the scenes. From an increasingly interesting contract situation involving Bayley to Ilja Dragunov’s surprising departure, here’s what you need to know from the week in WWE news and rumors.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / August 21

New Details Emerge Regarding Ilja Dragunov's Surprising WWE Departure

The Mad Dragon's days in WWE have come to an end. News first started making the rounds early Thursday afternoon that Ilja Dragunov had chosen to let his contract with the company expire, and that he was officially a free agent.

Wrestling News / The Takedown on SI / August 20

More WWE and AEW Talent Reportedly Set To Hit the Open Market This Fall

Ilja Dragunov shocked the pro wrestling world on Thursday when he let his contract with WWE expire. Dragunov is now a free agent and out of contract for the first time in years.

Wrestling News / Athlon Sports / August 20

New Backstage Detail Emerges on Ilja Dragunov’s WWE Exit

Ilja Dragunov’s WWE exit was reportedly his decision, not WWE’s. After reports emerged Thursday that Dragunov’s contract had expired, False Finish added an important detail: WWE reportedly wanted the former United States and NXT Champion to stay, but Dragunov chose to let his deal expire and leave the company.

Wrestling News / The Spun / August 20

Longtime WWE Star Ilja Dragunov Departs Company Thursday

The past year-plus has seen a number of high-profile departures from WWE, from John Cena to AJ Styles to Kofi Kingston and most recently Brock Lesnar. Joining the list of people departing is longtime superstar Ilja Dragunov.

Wrestling News / TheSportster / June 8

WWE Fans Lobby For Ilja Dragunov To Defect To AEW Following Latest Update

Ilja Dragunov has been with WWE for seven years, wrestling some incredible matches. However, despite what he has given to the company and how much fans gravitate to him, WWE higher-ups apparently don't see the Russian wrestler as a top star, and fans think it might be time for Dragunov to cut his losses.

Wrestling News / TheSportster / October 31

Ilja Dragunov Keeps Sami Zayn's U.S. Title Open Challenge Tradition Alive

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 / SportsInfo / October 20, 2025

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 / TheSportster / October 18, 2025

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.