Ilja Dragunov Joins AEW After WWE Tenure

Ilja Dragunov has officially joined AEW, making his debut at the WrestleDream pay-per-view on October 17. The former WWE Superstar had a successful in-ring debut against Mike Bailey on AEW Dynamite.

Dragunov's transition to AEW follows a seven-year tenure with WWE, during which he faced various challenges. He expressed a desire for change after returning from an ACL injury last October, reflecting on his experiences and questioning if there was more for him beyond WWE.

He has indicated that WWE's latest contract offer did not meet his expectations, prompting his decision to pursue opportunities in AEW. The duration of his AEW contract remains undisclosed, but fans are hopeful for his long-term presence in the promotion.