Ilja Dragunov's WWE to AEW Move

Ilja Dragunov made his AEW debut at Saturday night's AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view.

Dragunov's WWE Contract Ends

The 33-year-old made the decision to leave WWE upon the expiration of his contract this summer.

Dragunov's Reflection Period

Speaking with The Takedown on SI on Tuesday, he said he was able to get through his lack of ring time with the help of his girlfriend.

Dragunov's Thoughts on Freedom

Actually, not being busier for a certain period of time was also not the worst thing to just let the body heal and to have some time to think about certain things.

“Actually, not being busier for a certain period of time was also not the worst thing to just let the body heal and to have some time to think about certain things”

Dragunov's WWE Career

The former WWE NXT Champion signed with WWE as a part of the WWE NXT UK brand back in 2019.

Dragunov's ACL Injury

He received his official call-up in 2024, but just months in, he tore his ACL, sidelining him for more than a year.

Dragunov's WWE Return

Dragunov would make his return in October of 2025, winning the WWE United States Championship from Sami Zayn.

Dragunov's Title Reign

It looked like the start of a new opportunity for the Russian-born star, but a 70-day reign would eventually end.

Dragunov's AEW Debut

Dragunov admitted that their quick success in AEW caught his attention.

“Dragunov admitted that their quick success in AEW caught his attention”

New Level's AEW Success

Kofi and Austin Creed, formerly known as The New Day, made their AEW debuts at All In under the New Level moniker.

Dragunov's AEW Experience

It lets my heart beat faster, and I feel like I re-fell in love with professional wrestling in some kind of way.

“It lets my heart beat faster, and I feel like I re-fell in love with professional wrestling in some kind of way”

Dragunov's AEW Debut Date

Dragunov officially makes his AEW in-ring debut on Wednesday night against "Speedball" Mike Bailey on AEW Dynamite.

Dragunov's Freedom

They want to enhance what I'm doing and they want to put it into the right light, what I'm doing. And I feel if you can describe it with some word, I feel freedom.

“They want to enhance what I'm doing and they want to put it into the right light, what I'm doing. And I feel if you can describe it with some word, I feel freedom”