Add as a preferred source on Google Ilja Dragunov remains without much of a spotlight on WWE programming, and the reason may be directly tied to how the company views his ceiling on the main roster.
On a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said WWE does not see Dragunov as a top name, but rather as a mid-card wrestler.
“I just think that they’ve got other guys that they got storylines now for. You add some people and some people get lost in the shuffle. He’s a unique character, but to them, he’s an interchangeable mid-card guy. They don’t see him as a top guy. They just don’t.
And I’m not even saying they’re necessarily wrong, but he just never really had the opportunity to be anything more than the guy who gives you really, really great matches. He’s got a level of intensity that no one else has, which is his calling card, but I think that maybe they feel the promos aren’t great.“
Dragunov returned to WWE in October 2025 after more than a year out due to injury, defeating Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship on Friday Night SmackDown.
At the time, his return seemed to point to a major future for the “Mad Dragon.” However, the title reign did not last long. Dragunov lost the title to Carmelo Hayes in late December and has since lost ground again on the blue brand.
His most recent TV appearance came on the April 17 episode of SmackDown, during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Royce Keys.
Although he is not currently being treated as a priority, Dragunov has a strong resume in WWE. In addition to the United States Championship, he has also won the NXT Championship and the NXT UK Championship, becoming one of the most respected names from the old NXT UK.