Ilja Dragunov has officially signed with AEW and is expected to make his debut soon, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Dave Meltzer mentioned in the latest issue that Dragunov’s agreement is finalized and he should start appearing shortly. This follows a previous report from Fightful Select on Sunday, which indicated that AEW was always the intended destination, but administrative details were slowing down the process, with Sean Ross Sapp noting no contract had been signed at that time.
The Observer stated, “As expected, Ilja Dragunov (real name Ilja Rukober, who will turn 33 soon) has signed and is slated to begin very soon. This was hinted at back in August by Tony Khan, but as noted with the New Level deal, contracts often take weeks to complete. Dragunov is known for delivering outstanding matches, but AEW may need additional TV time to showcase their large roster and keep wrestlers visible.”
Fightful’s report also highlighted that Dragunov, similar to several other recent WWE departures, experienced visa challenges that impacted the timing of his next career move. Unlike some, Dragunov left WWE after his contract expired rather than requesting an early release, meaning he wasn’t bound by a 90-day non-compete clause—a reason Tony Khan has been able to discuss him openly. Although Khan hasn’t officially confirmed Dragunov’s signing, he spoke very highly of him during the Death Before Dishonor media event.
Dragunov, aged 32, worked with WWE from 2019 to 2026 across NXT UK, NXT, and the main roster. He held the NXT UK Championship for 351 days after defeating WALTER in August 2021, ending WALTER’s historic 870-day title run, and later won the NXT Championship from Carmelo Hayes at No Mercy in September 2023. On WWE’s main roster, he also captured the United States Championship during his tenure on SmackDown. Prior to WWE, Dragunov was a two-time wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion in Germany, where he grew up after his family emigrated from Russia.
Fan Take:
This signing is a huge win for AEW fans, as Dragunov’s intensity and in-ring skill promise some electrifying matches that could elevate AEW’s already impressive roster. For the sport, his move signals a continuing shift in wrestling dynamics, showcasing how top talent can find fresh opportunities outside WWE, potentially leading to more competitive and thrilling programming.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
