Another new report on Friday confirmed the status of former WWE star Ilya Dragunov. The star, who? opted not to renew his WWE contract over the summeris set to headline All Elite Wrestling.
Fightful Select confirmed the news in Friday’s report, following an earlier update Wrestling Observer Newsletter:. Fightful reported that they have been confirmed this week that Dragunov is set to join AEW and that his visa situation is currently being sorted out following his departure from WWE. According to the report, graphic and other materials related to him are being prepared.
Fightful reported on Monday The Mad Dragon headed to AEWand in Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer, Dave Meltzer reported that Dragunov has already signed with AEW and should begin “very soon.” Meltzer wrote that he expected the deal to go through after AEW president Tony Khan went public. praised the former WWE United States Champion when news of his free agency first broke.
No word has been confirmed on when Dragunov will make his first appearance in AEW, or even what his ring name will officially be. Next weekend, AEW will host All Out 2026 from the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. an event that has already sold out. AEW is also set to travel to Paris next month for the AEW Grand Slam Paris.
It is unclear, however, when Dragunov’s visa issues may be resolved. His last match was the Andre the Giant Memorial Tournament, which he eventually defeated Royce Keys, which took place just before WrestleMania 42.
