Ilja Dragunov

[8.0] "Someone who is almost too unique for his own good. WWE is too safe and sanitized for him, and AEW is too flippy and spot-filled. There's not a clear place for Dragonov to go. That said, I'm interested to see how he'll do in AEW. Sadly, my expectations are for him to end up in the lower mid-card, but I hope I'm wrong."

[10.0] "Words cannot describe how excited I am to see him have so many of my dream matches in AEW. Besides Punk and Ospreay (maybe New Level), this is the most pumped ive been for an AEW signing. I never thought this day would come. But after seeing that teaser on collision, my heart was beating out of my chest. UNBESIEGBAR"

[10.0] "Its crazy yet not surprising that WWE has yet fumbled another wrestler as good as Ilja, but it's WWE after all, they got this guy lose to fucking Jey Uso at King of the Ring and the U.S Belt he and Carmelo carried became a sideshow once again thanks to Trick and Baron Corbin. Hopefully he succeeds in another company like AEW or NJPW since it's crazy how WWE fumbled him"

[9.0] "Ilja is just insanely good. One of the most intense wrestlers I've watched and pretty much everything he does looks like it actually hurts. His matches with WALTER/Gunther were unbelievable and are still some of my favorite WWE matches ever. He's great at selling, his strikes look brutal and the H-Bomb always looks nasty. I honestly feel like you can put him with almost anyone and he'll give you a great match. I don't think he's perfect though. His promos and character stuff have never been as good as his actual wrestling in my opinion, but in the ring he's easily better than most of the WWE roster. That's why it's crazy how badly they handled him. His US title run was good and then after he lost it he basically just went nowhere. They had an easy Gunther feud sitting right there too and somehow never properly did it. Now he's gone and I genuinely don't understand how you fumble someone like Ilja Dragunov. Hopefully wherever he goes next actually treats him like a big deal because he's way too good to just be another guy on the roster. AEW, NJPW, wherever, just give this man big matches and push him."

[10.0] "Was first introduced to him on NXT and quickly rose to one of my favorites, this dude is just straight up awesome and i'm convinced that he can put on a banger with anyone. edit: HOW DO YOU FUMBLE ILJA DRAGUNOV? !"

[10.0] "As of today, Ilja Dragunov is gone from WWE. It's utterly incomprehensible how you fumble a man of Ilja's caliber. He is one of the best wrestlers in the world right now and his matches feel like actual fights. His matches with Walter/Gunther were some of the best matches in WWE history. He is excellent at selling and has some of the most brutal strikes I've ever seen. His talent level exceeds 95% of WWE's roster today and it's genuinely mind-boggling how you screw him up and let someone like him just leave the company. A main roster feud between him and Gunther would have match of the year candidates and all-time promos. Hopefully he goes to either AEW or NJPW and become a multiple time world champion like he deserves."

[10.0] "There he goes from the WWE because he just left according to PWInsider today. Man could've done so much better in the company until they did absolutely nothing with him. I mean his United States Championship run was very god damn good but when he dropped it he faded from the WWE. Back in like 2019-2022 and during the pandemic era this wrestler was a fucking monster in NXT because he literally worked his ass off with matches against Gunther (Known as Walter) which I highly suggest you to watch. But Jesus Christ he was my favorite wrestler at that time but now he's gone due to TKO's asshole decisions so fuck you TKO. One thing I hope for he goes to AEW or back to the indies because if he does they're gonna push him very strongly. So yeah but his wrestling moves are fucking great along with his H-Bomb finisher because it looks real to me. One last message if he goes to any other company please fucking push him strongly because he has been so fucking great in the 2020 era."

"Ilja Dragunov wrestles like somebody told him the match ends when he calms down, so naturally he refuses to calm down under any circumstances. I was eating noodles during one of his matches and had to put the bowl down because his facial expressions made me think an actual emergency had started. The guy can turn a basic struggle over position into a personal argument with destiny. Is it subtle? Absolutely not. Ilja does subtle the way a fire alarm does background music. But the intensity works because he commits to every consequence. When he gets hit, it looks like the pain has offended him morally. When he attacks again, it feels less like a comeback and more like a man filing an appeal with his entire body. Sometimes the constant maximum emotion gets exhausting, and I need the match to breathe before he explodes for the ninth time. Still, I never wonder whether he cares. My noodles got cold. Match stayed hot. Fair trade."

[10.0] "You know, if WWE ever decides to unceremoniously release this man I will cry. I'm not gonna deny that a Dragunov run in Japan would kick maximum ass, however the greedy, disheveled company that is WWE seriously cannot afford to lose him. I genuinely believe Ilja Dragunov could be the savior of WWE if they utilized him correctly, and it seems that few people actually understand how. He IS undeniably the most proficient, intense, and passionate in-ring worker currently in WWE. Now that Styles has retired and Gunther has noticeably taken a step back ever since his feud with Jey, the discussion realistically shouldn't even be close. Now there obviously aren't many fans who are willing to criticize Ilja's superior wrestling ability, and anyone who does is more than likely just trying to stand out. So instead one might try to criticize his promo skills. But ask yourself, how often has WWE even presented him with the CHANCE to cut promos? Unless WWE knows something about his mic ability that us fans do not, it's difficult to label Dragunov as a "bad promo" when he is seldom given the chance to ever prove himself in that department. On a side note, I find it hard to believe that someone as dedicated to their craft as Dragunov WOULDN'T make sure to put emotion into promos when the time finally comes. Additionally, while I personally believe this is a pathetic metric to grade a WRESTLER by, others may criticize Dragunov's lack of merchandise sale or crowd interaction. However, this too is an area that Dragunov could excel in. Every time he charges the Torpedo Moscow from the corner, fans are given the perfect opportunity to chant "UNBESIEGBAR" yet few actually seem to participate. Possibly because a certain unfunny vine from 2016 was catastrophically raised from the dead when a drunk performer attended a post show conference, which is now unfortunately the only chant in WWE that anyone gives half a shit about. In a time where the heretical scumbags of TKO treat pro wrestling more as a kids show than an art, where talentless, out of shape hacks are favored over those who embody a deep admiration for the craft, Ilja Dragunov should be the man who facilitates the return of classic professional wrestling from the overly corporate, sterilized, sports-entertainment bullshit that plagues the industry today. Do the right thing, Triple H. Push Ilja Dragunov."

[9.0] "This man has it all. Get him out of WWE. It's very tough for anyone different to truly make it there. CM Punk did it back in the day. Jeff Hardy did it back in the day. It was very tough though. Dragunov's talents would be much-better utilized elsewhere."

[10.0] "If there is a black spot in Ilja's career is that he and Melo pushed Trick Williams. Trick Williams we call him Ricko (a local mediocre singer) in our country. try to write this in the youtube and you will understand what i mean (but translate it to arabic) "Adel Emam and Riko""

[10.0] "I absolutely adore Ilja Dragunov. He is the absolute definition of modern intensity, a performer who treats professional wrestling not as a performance, but as a gruelling battle for survival. He is undeniably one of the finest in-ring workers in the world, combining a charismatic presence with a world-class psychological approach to selling. Whether he is weathering a brutal assault or unleashing his own, Dragunov makes every agonising second look completely legitimate without ever crossing into theatrical overselling. Yet, despite this, it is impossible to shake the feeling that he is being profoundly underutilised on WWE's main roster. Despite a fantastic run with the United States Championship, he has since been sidelined. I feel that the clock is ticking on someone who wrestles with such reckless, yet controlled intensity. At this stage in his career, especially after suffering from a severe ACL tear, his physical window will have only dwindled for continuing to execute his specific, intense style. Every week he spends lost in the shuffle of creative stagnation or sporadic television usage is a wasted masterpiece. I hope he is utilised more and pushed to the moon, but ultimately I do not see that happening. Long-term, I hope he is able to secure a move away from the ill-fitted sports-entertainment product that is WWE and find a place in NJPW or AEW, where I feel the product they produce will go hand-in-hand with his style. He belongs in an environment that does not just accommodate his relentless violence and flawless psychology, but actively builds the entire show around it, giving him the freedom to put on the unrestricted classics he was born to deliver."

[10.0] "WWE are wasting his prime years by just having him on the bench not doing jack shit. I really hope that Ilja eventually leaves that dog shit company and makes a move to AEW as I feel he's probably the guy on the whole roster that would benefit the most from making the switch."

[10.0] "A very good wrestler whose career has stalled for some reason. He's young, puts on good matches, and has a knack for storylines. I don't know why they treat him this way, but I'd like to believe he'll get what he deserves soon. The guy could easily be on the upper card and hold the world title. His program with WALTER in WWE is one of the most memorable."

[7.0] "Ilja Dragunov has always been one of the best wrestlers in WWE . The man only has to work more on his character because he is kinda bland. From bell to bell he's one of the best but outside of that he isn't good"

[9.0] "Ilja is one of my Favorites Wrestlers going Today he just bring a certain type of Emotion and Realism in the In-ring that not too many Wrestlers have his Special And Awesome."

[10.0] "Ilja is awesome. Everytime I watch him wrestle, he wrestles like he means it. He sells so damn good too. Hope he wins a world title one day. Highly recommend watching this man."

[7.0] "He's one of those guys where there is a clear disconnect from how good of a wrestler he is and how well he connects with the fans. He's always reliable to put on a good match and he has the ability to put on a great match when given the opportunity. The issue is he's not a good talker, he lacks charisma and doesn't have aura. Within the world of WWE it's better to be an average wrestler with insane amounts of charisma (like Trick Williams) than it is to be a really good/great wrestler with no charisma. I personally think he would be a better fit in NJPW where it is more focused on the quality of the matches."

[10.0] "I can't wholeheartedly say that Ilja is lower than a 10, I really can't. He's one of the few guys in WWE that can actually wrestler like he means it. Seeing a guy like him get snubbed of Mania because of politiking is a shame. Ilja fights like it was a war in the squared circle."

[9.0] "lja Dragunov is one of WWE best wrestlers today his matches with Carmelo Hayes has made smackdown actually watchable. I'm hoping that he wins the United States Champion again from Melo or have them becoming a freakenteam."

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers in the world, without a shadow of a doubt. His move-set is violent, precise and makes his wrestling look real. Everything he does is incredibly intense and locks your eyes to whatever he's doing, each match is a banger and his US title run was amazing. Loved him in NXTUK and NXT, and he's only improved since. Even with that injury setback. Could and should be a world title holder in WWE in the future."

[10.0] "One of the most legit wrestlers in the planet. The way he wrestles you'd think it wasn't scripted which is what makes him so good. He makes pro wrestling feel like it's not pre determined and his moveset is stiff and unlimited. He's had less than 5 bad matches in his career and none of them were his fault."

[10.0] "Ilja Dragunov makes every match he's in intense and he's such a great wrestler. He's just fun to watch in the ring, every time he's in a match, you have to watch it cause it'll be a great match or one of the matches of the year. Love Ilja"

[10.0] "I'm pretty sure Ilja Dragunov believes professional wrestling is real and no one had the heart to tell him that it isn't. Probably the best relatively young wrestler in the company right now. I'm admittedly not super familiar with his pre-WWE work but his NXT stuff was magical and his matches with WALTER are as outstanding as they're renowned to be. I don't really watch the product at all anymore but I always keep an eye out for Dragunov because he manages to cut through the absolute bullshit that is post-TKO enshittification WWE and and and make me care. Godspeed you mad Russian bastard."

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers in WWE currently. He is slowly climbing up the ranks in WWE. Hopefully, he wins the Undisputed WWE Number 1 Contenders match. He's been putting in so much work, and he deserves it. He and Sami have elevated the US title so much that I genuinely think they both deserve it at this point."

[10.0] "The first time I watched Ilja Dragunov was in a tag match against Aussie Open and I became a fan of him instantly. Fast forward to 2025 and while he was out for the majority of the year, only 2 months after his return and he is one of the few wrestlers in the WWE that will made your time feels worth after watching his matches. There is intensity, raw power, pure striking ability and a very ring awareness in every match possible and I have an opinion that if you put him in any slot, he will steal the show. His bumping and selling sometimes are a little exaggerated, but I think he is kinda putting all pieces together. For all the bad wrestling that the fed will provide, Ilja Dragunov is one of the guys that deserves a chance with the world championship."

[10.0] "I dont hand out 10's easily. Ilja is the best case of stiff style America gets to see on a weekly basis. He's believable, he's jacked, his offense looks like it will knock you the hell out, he.... sells (WHAT). Unrivaled in-ring stamina and awareness. Elevates anyone in the ring with him. Ilja vs Walter I and II are must watch matches. I hope they get a chance to run it back, without being stifled by being on the main roster."

[10.0] "Ilja Dragunov is one of the best wrestlers in the world, top 3 in my opinion and just screams intensity. One of the hardest hitters in the game and sells/bumps like a mad man to make his opponents look good"

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers of the last five years. Everything he does is magic. Every single one of his matches is a banger. Absolute monster of a wrestler!"

[10.0] "He came back from an injury that benched him more than twice the length of his first run main roster, so they bring him back to a new show, and in less than a month he's the only reason to watch that show. Seriously, Ilja is a talent who defined every show he's on, and is undeniable every second he's in the ring. Absolute mad lad who ought to win to be given everything under the sun, he's so good nobody will doubt it. He redefines intensity in wrestling."

[10.0] "This guy is ridiculous. Genuinely one of the few wrestlers I've ever seen who puts on 4 or 5 star matches on a regular basis, always putting his body on the line and giving his best effort every time he's in the ring. His resilience and perseverance is scary, he's strong as hell, stiff, intense, and a very all around competent wrestler. He makes Smackdown feel like it's worth watching, and he's acceptable on the mic. He has a great physique as well. He is without question one of my favorite active male wrestlers along with Gunther, Je'Von Evans, Konosuke Takeshita and a couple others."

[10.0] "He might be my favorite wrestler in WWE, and I really hope he gets the opportunities he deserves to shine in the Main Event scene. He has passion, technique, speed maybe he's missing a little something on the mic, but being Russian it's understandable; we've seen much worse. He works as a face, he works as a heel, he just works in every possible way. He has potential dream matches with so many wrestlers it's mouth-watering. In the ring he's definitely one of the top talents in the company. Hopefully, as I keep saying, he'll be given the chance to break into the main event."

[10.0] "The most intense wrestler I've ever seen, he would be an ace for WWE if they give the chance. Absolute Monster and Psycho on the ring."

[10.0] "A symphony of violence. That's what you sign for whenever you step into the ring with The Mad Dragon. When it comes to Ilja Dragunov, pain shall entertain you indeed. The hell this man is willing to put his body through is mind-boggling. But that's what Ilja is all about, that's how wildly passionate he is, and it truly is a sight to behold. He might get brutalized, but he'll always will his way through even the most sadistic beatings imaginable (Hi WALTER), and he'll do so with the kind of indomitable fire and breathtaking intensity only a few (if any) can match. His offense is as ferocious, hard-hitting and devastating as it gets; nothing too flashy, bombs only, and I absolutely love it! Ilja is a different kind of beast and a modern embodiment of man's man wrestling; no knee pads, no elbow pads, just delightful raw violence. But really, Ilja can do it all in that ring. His wrestling is incredibly tight and to the point, his sense of urgency is top-tier, his work on the mat excellent, his strength is impressive, he's explosive, he can even fly a bit, his attention to details is brilliant, and on top of all that, he can be a masterful storyteller with outstanding psychology. Now I know some say he tends to oversell, and while it might be true to some extent, when it's on point, it can actually transcend a match. Aside from his magnificent in-ring work, Ilja still has some work to do when it comes to his character. He might have significantly turn the silly over-the-top psychotic shticks down a notch, but his excessive facial expressions are still there, and it doesn't help that he kinda looks like a buffed Joffrey (from Game of Thrones). On a side note, his drip is immaculate. His mic skills are pretty decent but his voice tends to be a bit too theatrical. Regardless, his in-ring work is just too damn good and as daring as it might sound, if he can perform like this at least another 8 to 10 years, he might end up as my favorite in-ring performer ever. Knowing the workhorse he is and the sheer passion he brings to the table, that bad ass beast might just do that. Just give the man the main event push he deserves, because he might very well be the best male wrestler in WWE right now."

[7.0] "Good but not like everyone think an overrated wrestlers with good abilities and I think water made the people think that he's a great wrestler but Walter can make anyone looks good so a good wrestler but with bigger haype but he's better than a lot of wrestlers today"

[10.0] "Pure grit and talent this man. He is incredible. He's got a great future ahead of him, just needs the right booking and the spotlight to shine on him good. If the stars align, its his game."

[7.0] "The "Mad Dragon" himself! Dragunov is certainly a favorite of mine out of these young, up and coming talents in WWE. I love the intensity he brings to the ring, he's like a modern day Chris Benoit in the best way possible, you can just tell he truly cares about the industry and the quality of each match he's in. He does a great job at making his work feels so real while at the same time making sure to protect whoever he's in the ring with, he's had awesome matches in NXT and is coming off a banger for the US title with Sami Zayn. I can't help but always think of his longtime rival and foil Gunther whenever talking about Ilja as well, they both bring a similar intensity to the ring, but where as Gunther feels more brutal and ruthless, Dragunov brings more of that Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle "never say die" attitude and perservance. I will say some of the moves he does can look sloppy at times, he is a little small, and he still has a lot to prove in my eyes, but man is he talented."

[2.0] "Ilja Dragunov is not as good as people think he is. Let me explain and think about it and please just notice obvious things, first of all he's just the most unauthentic wrestler now, and he's definitely up there and might be truly the most ngl, his face expressions? You see how cringe they are? Like just everything or almost everything feels so weird and forced. It's kind uncomfortable, I just don't like his style his not my cup of tea at all and not even close to. Most of his popular matches are super overrated, it's not all time matches but at least some is really good, but him as a wrestler ? No just no."

[10.0] "the future greatest of all time, i miss him so much and he's probably my favourite modern wrestler, he's a diamond, he's everything you want from a wrestler"

[10.0] "Can't wait for him to return to WWE. He was one of my favourite WWE wrestlers. He isn't just a good wrestler, he embodies what it means to be a pro wrestler."

[10.0] "He will be a world champion one day. And when that day comes, he could be considered one of the greatest wrestlers alive."

[10.0] "He's still young, but already showed so much greatness. I want to see Ilja Dragunov in the main-event"

[10.0] "He's the best Underdog babyface in the businesses right now and one of the best of all time. Dragunov's selling is unmatched wether he's selling a limb or just exhaustion and pain. The Mad Dragon is a gimmick that works and Dragunov himself is very charismatic. Much like Gunther, His matches Feel real. They feel like a fight. Dragunov isn't the greatest promo which keeps him away from being perfect but he's still one of my favourites."

[8.0] "Ilja Dragunov is one of the most intense and compelling performers in modern wrestling. Known for his ferocious in-ring style, unmatched physicality, and raw emotional storytelling, Dragunov brings a level of realism and passion that few others can replicate. His matches are battles of attrition, where he absorbs brutal punishment and fights with almost reckless determination. What sets him apart is his ability to make every strike, scream, and expression feel genuine. He doesn't just wrestle; he endures, and watching him do so is magnetic. His series with WALTER in NXT UK produced some of the most violent, dramatic, and unforgettable matches in recent memory. That rivalry alone cemented his legacy as a modern warrior with a never-say-die spirit. Since moving to NXT, he's continued to prove himself as a top-tier talent, capable of anchoring the brand with show-stealing performances and a deeply unique presence. While he may not have the broad mainstream charisma of others, Dragunov more than makes up for it with authenticity and intensity. Every match feels like a chapter in a personal struggle, and every victory feels earned. He's not just a great wrestler--he's a captivating story every time he steps into the ring, tho he still has some room to grow in adapting to the "WWE style""

[10.0] "One of the realest wrestlers in the world. He makes you feel unlike many others are able to. His selling is his best trait but his offense always looks awesome too. Cool move-set as well"

[10.0] "Ilja Dragunov is the embodiment of the unbreakable spirit in professional wrestling. He isn't the most versatile wrestler on the roster, but what he does, he does with unmatched conviction. His portrayal of a warrior who thrives on pain, emotionally and physically, is one of the most compelling character interpretations in the business today. He makes you believe in the fight, every single time he steps into the ring. What sets Ilja apart is how consistently he elevates both himself and his opponents. Whether winning or losing, he makes his matches feel epic and his adversaries look like monsters. His ability to sell, not just moves, but moments and emotions, is among the very best in WWE today. It's hard to think of a genuinely bad match in his recent run; his floor is higher than most performers' ceilings. Few wrestlers on the main roster deliver emotional realism and cathartic storytelling quite like Ilja. He brings an intensity and sincerity to his performances that avoids the usual tropes or overacting. Everything feels earned, every comeback, every moment of desperation, every final blow. Technically, he's excellent on the mat as well. His in-ring psychology is top-tier, and he's able to build drama through pacing, strikes, and structure rather than relying on shortcuts. Every match feels like a battle--structured, meaningful, and impactful. I'm counting the days until his return from injury. If he can stay healthy, Ilja has all the tools to become a top-tier main roster star, not just critically acclaimed, but emotionally resonant with audiences on a large scale."

[9.0] "Dragunov is the perfect combination of pure wrestling, with the emotion of entertainment, a monster!"

[10.0] "One of the best wrestlers in WWE, who can make a good match with everyone in a roster. Charisma, Passion, Killer Instinct - he have it all. He's even good on a mic. Can't wait what he can do with guys in a main roster. DAVAIIIIIIIIIII."

[9.0] "This guy is wrestling personified. Watch him wrestle and he will instantly convey a part of his passion to you. Hits and sells like his life depends on it."

[9.0] "Ilja Dragunov is the total package. He has charisma and a good gimmick which he makes work. In the ring he has had some phenomenal matches with Walter and Carmello Hayes. Hard hitting offense and good psychology make his matches stand out. Injury issues at the wrong time has hurt his WWE run."