Ilja Dragunov’s departure from WWE appears to have come after a significant shift in circumstances over recent months. The wrestler left the company when his contract expired and has already been moved to the Alumni section on WWE.com.
As recently as two months ago, however, WWE was still actively working toward getting Dragunov back on television.
Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that both sides were deep in negotiations over a TV return as late as June.
“Not sure what ended up happening but Ilja and WWE were said to be strongly negotiating a return as recently as June.”
Whether those talks involved a contract renewal or simply creative plans to get Dragunov back on TV remains unclear. Alvarez himself had reported on June 30 that the former United States Champion was expected back “sooner than later,” suggesting his exit was far from a foregone conclusion at the time.
Dragunov’s absence was also not tied to a new injury. In early June, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select noted he had received no information about any physical issues. Dragunov had reportedly continued training at Natalya and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon, though he was not part of any known creative plans.
Dragunov had not wrestled for WWE since April 17, when he competed in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown. His last televised singles match was a March 20 loss to Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship.