Ilja Dragunov Returns On WWE Smackdown, Wins US Championship

Ilja Dragunov is back on WWE TV, making his return on Smackdown to win the United States Championship. Friday night’s show saw Zayn host his latest open challenge and Dragunov came out to accept. The former NXT Champion went over 19 minutes with Zayn in a back and forth match and picked up the win to claim the title.

Solo Sikoa came out at one point to watch the match from the ramp, but returned to the back. The bout ended when Dragunov hit the torpedo Moscow, followed by the H Bomb, for the pinfall victory. Sikoa then returned with the MFTs, who attacked both Zayn and Dragunov after the match. You can see highlights from the match below.

Dragunov has been off WWE TV since suffering an ACL tear during a house show match in September of last year. This marks his first main roster championship in WWWE. He was previously an NXT Champion and an NXT UK Champion during his runs in both of those developmental brands.

Zayn’s run with the US Title ends at 49 days. He won the title from Sikoa on the August 29th episode of Smackdown.