Ilja Dragunov expected to sign with AEW after WWE departure

Ilja Dragunov is expected to move from WWE to AEW after leaving the company earlier this year. The 32-year-old did not renew his contract when it expired last month, after seven years with the organization where he started as part of NXT UK and won the NXT UK Championship, NXT Championship and WWE United States Championship titles.

According to Bleacher Report, per reporting by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Dragunov is on the verge of signing a deal with AEW.

Known for his hard-hitting style and fighting spirit in the ring, Dragunov is considered a fitting addition to AEW’s roster, which has a wide list of talent. He marks another case of wrestlers moving from WWE to AEW, following names like Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed (formerly of The New Day), who also joined the promotion after leaving WWE.

The news broke ahead of the All Out 2026 event, and information about this transfer was carried by Bleacher Report.