The reason Ilja Dragunov disappeared from WWE television in April was the contract, according to Dave Meltzer.
Meltzer reports that Dragunov had signed what was described as a very good WWE deal and that it was coming due. Talks over a new one left the two sides far enough apart that, in April, WWE decided to stop using him.
His assessment of how the company valued Dragunov is blunt.
It was essentially conceded by WWE that Ilja Dragunov was a great worker but not a numbers mover, and evidently for the level of money he was asking and getting, you needed to be a numbers mover.
That matches what Meltzer said in June, when he described WWE’s view of Dragunov as an interchangeable mid-card wrestler rather than a top act.
The other detail is the one that matters most right now.
He would be free to wrestle anywhere at this point as there is no non-compete for a contract running out.
Wrestlers released mid-contract typically sit out 90 days. Dragunov’s deal expired instead so that he can work immediately. AEW runs All In at Wembley Stadium next Saturday, and the timing has already prompted speculation about a surprise appearance. Kyle Fletcher, who wrestled Dragunov in 2019, posted a photo from that match after the news broke.
The reporting has arrived in pieces over two days. PWInsider broke the news of his exit, Fightful confirmed it, WWE moved him to the alumni section of its site, and False Finish reported that WWE would have liked him to stay. Bryan Alvarez added that the two sides were still in talks as recently as June.
Dragunov last wrestled on the April 17 SmackDown. His last singles match was a United States title loss to Carmelo Hayes on March 20 in Raleigh.
