Word has come through that as PWMania.com previously acknowledged, previous WWE United States Titleholder Ilja Dragunov is set to leave the company as his current contract is expiring.
F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez has shared additional details about Dragunov on his Twitter (X) account. Alvarez mentioned that WWE and Dragunov were in discussions for his return to television as not long ago as June. Interestingly enough, citing F4WOnline.com, further reports indicated that WWE had hoped to retain Dragunov, however he chose to let his arrangement expire. He wrote, “Not sure what happened, but Ilja and WWE were noted to be strongly negotiating a return as recently as June.”
There is currently no information on why Dragunov’s anticipated resurgence to WWE programming did not materialize. Dave Meltzer previously stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE officials did not see Dragunov as a “top guy.”
Dragunov final showed up on WWE programming on April 17, during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which aired the night before WrestleMania 42.