Ilja Dragunov joins AEW following departure from WWE

Ilja Dragunov has officially joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) following his departure from WWE. After a seven-year tenure with WWE, Dragunov made a surprise appearance at the WrestleDream event in Orlando, Florida.

During a post-show media scrum, Dragunov explained that his decision to move was driven by a need for fresh challenges and a desire to compete in a new environment. He stated that he felt a need to “breathe” and find a landscape that would satisfy his “hunger for competition.” His departure from WWE reportedly followed a disagreement regarding contract terms in August.

AEW President Tony Khan noted that visa processes can be unpredictable, but confirmed that Dragunov is scheduled to make his in-ring debut on the October 21 episode of AEW Dynamite. While his opponent has not been announced, Dragunov expressed interest in facing various members of the roster, including Jon Moxley and Samoa Joe.

Reports indicate there is no animosity toward Dragunov within WWE following his exit. While Triple H reportedly wanted to retain the talent, the company is said to wish him well. Meanwhile, AEW star MJF has already used social media to criticize Dragunov’s debut, calling him a “loser” and mocking his orchestral presentation.