Ilja Dragunov is expected to be AEW‘s next major signing. The former United States Champion left WWE in August, and his future is all but decided.
According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, the current plan is for Dragunov to join AEW. He has not officially signed yet, but the final details are being worked out and, barring an unforeseen change, Dragunov is expected to be part of AEW’s roster.
Part of the delay has been visa-related. Dragunov is among several foreign talents who left WWE recently and ran into immigration issues or delays as free agents.
Dragunov left WWE when his contract expired, making him a free agent with no non-compete clause. WWE reportedly wanted to keep him, but the two sides couldn’t come to terms on a new deal.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, money played a major role. WWE considered Dragunov a great worker, but didn’t see him as a numbers mover who could justify the kind of money being discussed in the new deal.
His most recent match was the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 17 episode of SmackDown.
AEW’s interest had already been signaled publicly. Tony Khan praised Dragunov shortly after his WWE departure, calling him a “tremendous professional wrestler.”