Former WWE Star Ilja Dragunov Is All Elite, Debuts At AEW WrestleDream 2026

By Samantha Schipman
Ilja Dragunov holding the Men's US title in the air WWE
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Ilja Dragunov is All Elite.

During AEW WrestleDream 2026, Renee Paquette came out to make an announcement of the newest member of the deep roster. A large metronome appeared before the lights went down. The theme "Soviet March" played and a logo appeared before the name Ilja Dragunov popped up and the crowd went wild. An extremely excited Dragunov appeared in a suit and he began conducting from the ramp.

Dragunov circled the outside of the ring as Excalibur said, "Russian born, German raised. Ilja Dragunov is All Elite! The most intense wrestler to ever step foot in the squared circle. A man who took Europe by storm has now arrived in AEW." Dragunov conducted from the ropes as pyro went off at the top of the ramp. He continued conducting from other corners before blowing a kiss, then conducted some more as he backed up the ramp.

Immediately after, Tony Khan tweeted the official All Elite graphic for Dragunov.

Dragunov wrestled for "NXT UK" beginning in 2019 and joined "WWE NXT" in 2022. Dragunov debuted on the main roster in 2024, but departed WWE in August after letting his contract expire.

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