Tony Khan is not sure.
Ever since the news of Ilja Dragunov leaving WWE became public earlier this week, there has been discussion about the former NXT UK Champion potentially joining AEW.
Since Dragunov’s contract with the company expired instead of him being released, the 32-year-old could theoretically show up at the Elite promotion without any delay.
Tony Khan on Ijla Dragunov
So it was no surprise when AEW President Tony Khan was asked if he had any interest in signing the Mad Dragon during his appearance on the ROH Death Before Dishonor media scrum. While the wrestling executive did not confirm or deny the possibility, he did praise Ilja Dragunov as a tremendous wrestler:
I’m not sure about the contractual status, but that’s a tremendous, tremendous professional wrestler, absolutely. Again, I don’t know exactly what the contractual status is of people that don’t work here. I can’t keep track of those things and there’s no way for me to know that, but one thing I do know is that’s a great wrestler.
Dragunov has kept silent since his WWE exit was confirmed, so it’s hard to say what he is planning for his future. Though the upcoming All In PPV will be the perfect place for Ilja to make his AEW debut if he is indeed thinking about joining the promotion.
