Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov linked to potential AEW move

Speculation is growing regarding the potential move of wrestlers Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes from WWE to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

Reports suggest Ilja Dragunov may join AEW following the expiration of his WWE contract, though visa complications could impact the timing of his arrival. Carmelo Hayes has also drawn attention due to an unexplained absence from the ring since August and a recent change to his social media presence, where he removed his profile picture on X (formerly Twitter). Such actions are often interpreted within the industry as signs of tension with a current promotion.

Adding to the rumors, AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman recently shared archival footage of himself competing against Christian Casanova, the former ring name used by Hayes during his time on the independent circuit. While no official confirmation regarding Hayes’ contract status has been released, the timing of these developments has fueled discussions about a potential future rivalry between the two in AEW.