In the course of the newest weekend of WWE stay occasions, Ilja Dragunov suffered a leg damage in matches towards the World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther. The corporate introduced that he can be out for a prolonged interval.
As Gunther made his technique to the ring on the September 30, 2024, episode of Monday Night time RAW, the WWE confirmed footage of Dragunov going through the Ring Normal on the September 28 stay occasion in Columbus, Georgia. Announcer Joe Tessitore stated that the prognosis is that Dragunov suffered a torn ACL and shall be out six to 9 months.
It’s not fully clear when the damage occurred. Nonetheless, Dragunov was put in a Boston Crab submission submission by Gunther, which locations plenty of strain on the opponent’s legs. He additionally took a wide range of different strikes from the World Heavyweight Champion, together with numerous suplexes.
After the match, Dragunov was filmed limping to the again. He is likely one of the WWE’s most bodily performers, continuously placing his physique on the road. Hopefully, he shall be again in time for WrestleMania season.
If he recovers in six months, he shall be again a month earlier than WrestleMania 41. Nonetheless, if he takes a full 9 months or longer, he won’t be returning till no less than the summer time of 2025.
His matchup on the WWE stay occasion towards Gunther is hopefully an indication of what’s to come back. The 2 have a longstanding rivalry that dates again to their time in NXT UK.
Gunther even responded to the video in a quote put up on X, previously Twitter. He wrote, “Weak issues break,” in reference to Dragunov’s damage. Maybe their program will resume as soon as Dragunov is again off the shelf.
Ilja Dragunov’s WWE profession
Sadly for Ilja Dragunov, his ACL damage comes as his WWE profession is beginning to take off. After beginning his profession in NXT, he lastly made his technique to the primary roster in 2024.
Throughout his time in NXT, Dragunov received the NXT Championship and NXT UK Championship. Dragunov had a number of matches with Gunther, who was known as Walter at that time. He ended the Ring Normal’s lengthy reign as NXT UK Champion at NXT TakeOver 36 in 2021.
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At No Mercy in September 2023, Dragunov received his first NXT Championship from Carmelo Hayes. He held the title for over 200 days, dropping it to Trick Williams at Spring Breakin’ and marking the top of his run within the developmental model.
Monday Night time RAW drafted Dragunov to their model throughout the 2024 WWE Draft. He instantly entered the King of the Ring event, defeating present AEW famous person Ricochet within the first spherical.
Nonetheless, Dragunov would lose to Jey Uso within the quarterfinals of the event. In the end, Uso would go on to face the eventual winner, Gunther, who defeated Randy Orton within the finals.
Quickly after, Dragunov confronted then-Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn for the title on the July 15 episode of RAW. The match led to a no-contest after Bron Breakker interfered.
His damage comes at an inopportune time. Fortunately, he has proven his price in his quick time on the primary roster. Each time he does come again, anticipate a extra fiery Dragunov than ever.
