#ilja

WWE’s Ilja Dragunov is a grappler that harks back to an era of strong-style, technical wrestling, making sure that every move performed in the ring has a purpose. And, as his sweat filled gym sessions show, this Moscow born mat star is just as aggressive with his workouts. Dragunov is a details man when it comes to his training and is a proponent of Zecher movements. Here’s why they are so…

Ilja Dragunov is officially back—and heâ€s got gold around his waist to prove it. WWE released new backstage footage on October 19, 2025, showing Dragunov after what appears to be his United States Championship win. The former NXT Champion returned to television on the October 17 episode of SmackDown from the SAP Center in San Jose, where he stepped up to accept Sami Zaynâ€s open challenge. The…

Ilja Dragunovâ€s return to WWE SmackDown ended with him defeating Sami Zayn to capture the United States Championship—but the story behind the decision just took a surprising turn. While one report claimed Zayn personally pushed for Dragunov to beat him, Baron Corbin has now stepped in to call that rumor false. According to Bodyslam, Zayn wanted Dragunov to take the title off him, hoping it…

Ilja Dragunov made a stunning and thrilling return to the ring after being out for over a year due to injury, answering Sami Zayn’s United States Open challenge during Friday’s edition of SmackDown and taking the champion’s title belt. Dragunov got the job done after hitting Zayn with a Torpedo Moscow and then an H-Bomb for the win. Zayn was clearly distracted by nemesis Solo Sikoa beforehand,…