Latest Backstage Update on Ilja Dragunov’s AEW Status Following WWE Exit

Earlier this month, fans were shocked when reports emerged that Ilja Dragunov had exited WWE following the expiration of his deal. The Mad Dragon hadn’t been featured on WWE TV since the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42.

Later, it was reported that Dragunov decided to let his contract expire after his discussion with WWE over a new deal allegedly broke down. Subsequent reports claimed that while WWE officials saw Ilja as a greater worker, they didn’t see him as a numbers mover.

Since his departure, there have been speculations about Ilja ultimately ending up in All Elite Wrestling. In this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), Dave Meltzer touched upon Tony Khan’s recent comments about Dragunov. At the recent ROH Media Scrum, Tony Khan hailed Ilja as a “tremendous” pro wrestler, but he also added that he wasn’t aware of the latter’s contractual status.

Meltzer said that given how effusive Khan is in his praise for Dragunov lately, he expects the AEW boss to offer a contract to Ilja. Meltzer noted that the last time Khan praised a wrestler from WWE, it was Claudio Castagnoli, whom he had already signed by then, and the Swiss talent ended up making his AEW debut a few weeks later.

With All In taking place in London, UK, this weekend, it will be interesting to see if Ilja shows up at the event.