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Ilja Dragunov leaves WWE as contract expires
Ilja Dragunov has officially left WWE after a seven-year tenure following the expiration of his contract in August 2026. Reports indicate that while WWE leadership reportedly wanted to retain the former NXT and United States Champion, Dragunov chose to let his deal expire to test the open market.
Negotiations between the two parties were reportedly active as recently as June, but a new agreement could not be reached. Some reports suggest financial disagreements played a role, with some sources noting a disconnect between Dragunov's perceived value and his salary requirements. Dragunov had been absent from television since April 2026, appearing only in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
As a free agent, Dragunov is a highly sought-after talent. While industry speculation frequently points toward All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a potential destination, no official deals have been confirmed. His departure has also drawn attention from the European wrestling scene, including his former promotion, wXw in Germany, though experts suggest he is unlikely to return to the independent circuit due to his high market value.
Entities
AEW · Bryan Alvarez · Ilja Dragunov · Jin Tala · NXT · PWInsider · Sami Zayn · Tony Khan · United States Championship · WWE · WrestleVotes · wXw
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dragunov had minimal merchandise available on the WWE Shop. whatculture.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ilja Dragunov is exiting WWE after his contract expired. www.postwrestling.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dragunov's last appearance for the company was during WrestleMania weekend.
- [● 2 SOURCES] WWE's reliance on analytics and a 'Moneyball' approach contributed to Dragunov's lack of television time. whatculture.com