Ilja Dragunov: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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For weeks now, United States Champion Ilja Dragunov and DIY have had a problem with each other. Things between them got even worse last week. After he retained on the December 12, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown against Tommaso Ciampa, his partner Johnny Gargano attacked him.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / December 19

SPOILERS: New Champion Crowned on 12/26 WWE SmackDown

An #AndNEW champion was crowned during the December 19, 2025, tapings of WWE SmackDown for its December 26, 2025, show. Fans were left confused this week as the episode taped after WWE Monday Night Raw on December 15, 2025, for SmackDown, was supposed to be aired on December 26, 2025.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / December 5

WWE SmackDown Preview (12/12/25) – The Night Before Saturday Night’s Main Event

On the road to WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, where John Cena will take the final bow of his illustrious WWE career, we make one final stop on this Friday Night SmackDown.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / November 22

Who Was Victorious Between DIY and Fraxiom on 11/21 WWE SmackDown?

For weeks, fans have seen a furious Tommaso Ciampa. He wanted a United States Championship match against Ilja Dragunov three weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / November 11

What is Going on Between Tommaso Ciampa and Ilja Dragunov on WWE SmackDown?

Since winning the United States Championship, Ilja Dragunov has continued the tradition of open challenges. He has since defeated three competitors in great matches.

Wrestling News / Last Word On Sports / November 7

Ilja Dragunov Beats Johnny Gargano in Impressive Showing on 11/7 WWE SmackDown

Ilja Dragunov’s run as United States Champion has been filled with lots of great matches so far. After defeating Sami Zayn for the title, he has beaten Aleister Black and Nathan Frazer.

Wrestling News / The Sportster / 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 / 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 / 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 / Athlon Sports / October 17

WWE SmackDown Results - October 17 - Surprise Return Leads to Title Change

After spending more than a year on the shelf, former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov returned to WWE action and picked up gold in a major win. Dragunov defeated former champion Sami Zayn, whose weekly open challenge was initially accepted by The Miz.

Wrestling News / Wrestling on SI / October 17

Injured Superstar Returns On WWE SmackDown & Wins United States Championship

The Mad Dragon is back and he's the new United States Champion! After missing over a year of action, Ilja Dragunov made his return to the ring Friday night on SmackDown.

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.

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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.

Wrestling News / Yardbarker / September 3, 2024