Ilja Dragunov showed that he was quite satisfied with his first steps in AEW, mainly because of the freedom and trust he found behind the scenes at the company. He commented on his impressions during the press conference held after WrestleDream.
The statements also connect to the explanation Dragunov gave about his departure from WWE. At the same press conference, he said that he needed an environment in which he could continue betting on himself and competing regularly. Although he did not blame his former company, he acknowledged that he had been experiencing a feeling of stagnation in his career.
Dragunov said that, at that moment, everything was quite new to him. Giving a complete summary right then was quite impossible, but if he thought of words, he would describe it as freedom. He described it as trust and a breath of fresh air for him, with a landscape of limitless opportunities before his eyes.
“It’s a landscape of limitless opportunities that I see in front of my eyes because if we say that AEW is where the best wrestle, how couldn’t I belong here?”
Tony Khan also revealed details about Dragunov’s arrival. AEW only received word that he would be able to pick up his work visa last Wednesday, during the broadcast of Dynamite. The company had prepared a promotional video that could be used if his appearance at WrestleDream needed to be postponed.
Dragunov also showed interest in facing several names on the roster, citing Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe and Kyle Fletcher. He said he was eager to compete again and assured that any opponent would have problems facing him.
The first opportunity already has a date. Tony Khan announced that Dragunov will make his AEW in-ring debut on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Oct. 21.