[REVISION HISTORY]

Ilja Dragunov signs with AEW following WWE departure

Updated 28 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-22 11:55 UTC → 2026-10-24 18:03 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the expiration of his WWE contract on August 20, 2026, Ilja Dragunov has officially signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His departure from WWE followed a seven-year tenure, with reports indicating that while leadership sought to retain the former NXT and United States Champion, negotiations reached an impasse due to disagreements over economic terms and perceived commercial value. AEW President Tony Khan confirmed the signing, describing Dragunov as a ‘perfect fit’ and a ‘tremendous wrestler.’ Prior to his in-ring debut, AEW World Champion Will Ospreay expressed interest in a match against Dragunov, describing him as a ‘complete anomaly’ and suggesting a singles match between them could be a ‘big money-drawing’ main event. Dragunov made his official in-ring AEW debut on the October 21 episode of ~~Dynamite, defeating ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey~~ Dynamite at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, ~~Florida.~~ Florida, defeating ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey. The match concluded when Dragunov utilized a powerbomb and consecutive D-Bombs to secure the victory. During this debut, Dragunov also introduced a new entrance theme, ‘Soviet March,’ which he selected to reflect his background as a Russian-born individual raised in Germany. In interviews, including an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dragunov provided context regarding his exit, citing creative direction and a desire for a change of scenery as primary drivers. He noted that he had spent most of his twenties with WWE and sought to avoid creative stagnation, stating, ‘If I feel that the air in a certain environment gets thinner for me, I need to breathe.’ He also clarified that he negotiated exclusively with AEW following a period of rest. During these discussions, Dragunov addressed his mental health, revealing that he experiences panic attacks during matches or entrances. ~~He explained that he has learned to accept these episodes and uses them to fuel his intensity and authenticity in the ring.~~

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