Ilja Dragunov Finalizing Deal to Join AEW Following WWE Departure

The free agency board is losing one of its heaviest hitters. Former WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov is finalizing a deal to join All Elite Wrestling, ending a 30-day window of open-market speculation following his August 2026 departure from WWE.[1][5]

Dragunov, 32, walked away from the sports entertainment giant after a 7-year tenure that began in 2019. Because his contract simply expired rather than being terminated, the "Mad Dragon" bypassed the standard 90-day non-compete clause, making him immediately eligible to negotiate and sign elsewhere.[3][4][5]

The move to Tony Khan's promotion has reportedly been on the whiteboard for weeks. According to Fightful Select, "some final details are getting nailed down to make it a reality," but Dragunov is fully expected to debut on AEW programming barring unforeseen circumstances.[2]

A significant bottleneck in the timeline has been international red tape. Sources indicated that Dragunov, who resides outside the United States, was among several recent WWE departures facing "visa expirations or visa hurdles that was affecting their free agent process."[2][5]

The financial gap that led to his WWE exit also played a role. While WWE officials reportedly viewed Dragunov as a top-tier in-ring talent, industry reports noted they did not consider him a "numbers mover" at his requested salary point, paving the way for AEW to swoop in and secure his signature.[4]

AEW President Tony Khan made no secret of his admiration for the Russian-born star earlier this month. Khan publicly praised him as a "tremendous professional wrestler" and an "excellent athlete" who has "competed at a very high level."[4][6]

Dragunov's final WWE appearance came on the April 17, 2026, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, where he competed in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal—a match ultimately won by Royce Keys, formerly known as AEW's Powerhouse Hobbs.[2][5]

During his WWE run, Dragunov built a reputation for blistering, high-impact offense, capturing 3 major singles titles: the NXT UK Championship, the NXT Championship, and the United States Championship.[4]

One lingering question is his exact presentation in AEW. Reports note he will continue using his real first name, "Ilja," but it remains uncertain whether he has secured the rights to the "Dragunov" surname, despite using it on the independent circuit prior to his 2019 WWE signing.[4][5][6]

Dragunov's arrival continues a massive 2026 talent acquisition cycle for AEW, which recently secured former WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. As the ink dries on the paperwork, the focus now shifts to which AEW star will be the first to step into the ring with the Mad Dragon.[2]