As PWMania.com previously reported, former WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov is set to leave the company as his current contract is expiring.
F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez has revealed additional details about Dragunov on his Twitter (X) account. According to F4WOnline.com, further reports indicated that WWE had hoped to retain Dragunov, but he chose to let his contract expire. Alvarez mentioned that WWE and Dragunov were in discussions for his return to television as recently as June. He wrote, “Not sure what happened, but Ilja and WWE were said to be strongly negotiating a return as recently as June.”
There is currently no information on why Dragunov’s anticipated return 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 last appeared on WWE programming on April 17, during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which aired the night before WrestleMania 42.
