Backstage Update on Ilja Dragunov Leaving WWE, Plans To Have Him Return in June

As previously reported, former WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov is leaving WWE with his current deal expiring. F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez had some details regarding Dragunov that he shared on his X account.

F4WOnline.com notes that further reports said that WWE had hoped to retain Dragunov, but the wrestler instead opted to let his contract expire. Alvarez said that WWE and Dragunov had been in talks for his TV return as recently as June. He wrote on the matter, “Not sure what ended up happening but Ilja and WWE were said to be strongly negotiating a return as recently as June.”

It’s unknown why Dragunov’s planned WWE TV return fell through. Dave Meltzer previously said on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE officials didn’t view Dragunov “as a top guy.”

Ilja Dragunov last appeared on WWE programming in April, when he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 17 edition of WWE SmackDown, the night before WrestleMania 42.