Fans have been puzzled by WWE’s use of Ilja Dragunov this year. He lost the United States title to Carmelo Hayes at the end of last year, and worked his first Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia. But the only thing the 32-year old Russian star’s Rumble run led to was denials he’d been “buried” by Brock Lesnar. He picked up a couple losses on SmackDown, worked the pre-WrestleMania Andre the Giant Battle Royal, and disappeared completely.
Eventually, we’ll learn more about what happened to derail the former WWE United Kingdom and NXT champion’s WWE career. We’ll probably hear a version of it in about 90 days soon*, because PWInsider is reporting that Dragunov’s contract has expired and he’s leaving the company. No other details were provided.
This is purely this writer’s speculation, but if Dragunov’s contract was set to expire in August, WWE may have approached him around ‘Mania about re-signing. If that approach made it clear Ilja was going to be offered the flat or reduced compensation, and he made it clear he wasn’t interested… he very well could have been “on the bench” waiting for his old deal to run out.
We’ll also have no shortage of speculation about the Mad Dragon’s next stop. He’s a logical fit for AEW, but they already struggle to find time for most of their roster. Do they have the time and budget to sign another hard-hitting mid-sized guy, regardless of how great he is?
Weigh in on those questions and whatever else regarding Ilja Dragunov’s apparent WWE exit is on your mind, in the comments below.
UPDATE: Dragunov’s already been moved to the Alumni section of the WWE website, which confirms Insider’s report — and indicates WWE was ready to make that move in advance.
* Everyone else on staff says I’m wrong about when Dragunov can show up elsewhere and/or speak freely, and they’re probably right. I’m very confused by the different conditions that apply to talent releases, firings, negotiated releases, contract expirations, etc. Probably cause I’m old. In my day, everybody who left was cut and had a 90-day-non-compete… and we liked it!
