Rumors are growing that WWE is set to get back a major name to the active roster. Ilja Dragunov has been out of action for almost a year, but there’s news that his return may be coming in the next few weeks.
PWInsider reported that Dragunov is either “cleared” or “has already been cleared” to return to in-ring competition. Dragunov was last seen on September 28, 2024, when he battled then WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther in Columbus, Georgia. Dragunov was hurt during that match, suffering a torn ACL. PWInsider’s report hints that WWE is prepping creative for Dragunov to return to the ring.
Ilja Dragunov would be a huge addition to the WWE Monday Night Raw roster
Ilja Dragunov is not only one of the best performers on the WWE roster, but he’s also one of the best wrestlers in the business. It was his run on WWE NXT UK that first introduced mainstream fans to his talents, but he’s since become one of the most “can’t miss” names on the roster. Whenever Dragunov is announced for a match, fans make sure to see it because the match is going to be intensely violent from start to finish.
Think about some of the big matches that would await for Dragunov. Matches against men like Sheamus, Rusev, Bron Breakker, and, of course, GUNTHER. That’s the big match that everyone wants to see on the main roster. Their matches in both NXT UK and NXT put them on the map in the eyes of WWE fans, leading to GUNTHER’s career-defining run as WWE Intercontinental Champion. If they were to get the right type of build and match on a PLE, they could even exceed what they achieved years ago.
The men’s division on the main roster is struggling with age. As individuals like Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles get older, there aren’t enough young names getting opportunities to step into the spotlight. At 31 years old, Ilja Dragunov is one of those performers WWE can count on, and it looks like his return is coming in the next few weeks.