Ilja Dragunov debuts for AEW with victory and discusses WWE exit

Ilja Dragunov made his in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the October 21, 2026, episode of Dynamite, defeating ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey. The match, held at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, featured high-intensity exchanges before Dragunov secured the win with consecutive D-Bomb maneuvers.

In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dragunov addressed his departure from WWE, stating that while the company attempted to re-sign him, he sought a change in creative direction and a fresh environment after spending most of his 20s with the promotion. He described his transition to AEW as a “fairy tale” and noted that he only engaged in negotiations with AEW.

Dragunov also reflected on his mental health, revealing that he experiences regular panic attacks during matches. He explained that rather than trying to eliminate them, he has learned to accept them, which has helped him focus on his performances. Additionally, he addressed a controversial Royal Rumble moment involving Brock Lesnar, stating that he views such encounters with “monsters” as part of his character's resilience and vulnerability.