Tony Khan Says He’s Unsure About Ilja Dragunov’s Contractual Status, Thinks He’s ‘A Great Wrestler’

Former WWE US Champion Ilja Dragunov is no longer a WWE Superstar, as he exited the promotion earlier this week. That’s led to many fans questioning where the wrestler will land next. During last night’s ROH Death Before Dishonor post-show media scrum, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan was asked about AEW’s potential interest in the wrestler.

Khan stated that he was unsure about Dragunov’s contractual status, but he did share high praise for the former WWE wrestler. He said about Dragunov (via Fightful), “I’m not sure about the contractual status, but that’s a tremendous, tremendous professional wrestler, absolutely. I don’t know exactly what the contractual status is of people that don’t work here, I can’t keep track of those things, and there is no way for me to know that, but one thing I do is that’s a great wrestler.”

As previously reported by Fightful Select, people in AEW haven’t heard anything about the wrestler joining the promotion. Also, industry sources do not expect the 32-year-old former WWE Superstar to end up there, but that was “considered a hunch as opposed to firm.”

Dragunov last wrestled on the final SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, competing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The wrestler is now reportedly an unrestricted free agent after his WWE contract expired.