Add as a preferred source on Google Ilja Dragunov has remained off WWE programming since April, but his return could be getting close.
The former United States Champion has not appeared on WWE TV since the April 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, when he took part in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which was won by Royce Keys. During the match, Aleister Black eliminated Dragunov.
According to Bryan Alvarez, Dragunov is expected back in WWE soon.
“Ilja Dragunov expected back sooner than later.”
Before this update, the situation surrounding “The Mad Dragon” had been kept fairly quiet. In early June, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that Dragunov was training at Nattie Neidhart and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon, but there was no indication of a return.
Before his current absence, Dragunov had been involved in the United States Championship picture. On the March 20 episode of SmackDown, he lost to Carmelo Hayes in a title match, with Hayes retaining after a sunset flip powerbomb.
Dragunov had returned to WWE in October 2025 after a long injury layoff and captured the United States Championship by defeating Sami Zayn in an Open Challenge. Months later, he lost the title to Carmelo Hayes on the December 26 episode of SmackDown.
It is still unclear which brand Dragunov will be brought back to.