Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Ilja Dragunov Leaves WWE After Contract Expiration
Ilja Dragunov is no longer a WWE wrestler because his contract ended.
WWE moved his profile to the alumni section of its website.
He had not appeared on television for about four months.
His last reported match was a battle royal before WrestleMania 42.
Dragunov joined WWE in 2019 after wrestling in Europe.
He won important championships in NXT and NXT UK.
He later won the United States Championship after returning from a serious knee injury.
WWE has not explained exactly why the contract was not renewed.
Dragunov and WWE have not publicly commented on his departure.
WWE moved Ilja Dragunov’s profile to its alumni section after his contract expired.
The 32-year-old wrestler had been absent from television for about four months.
Dragunov last appeared in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal before WrestleMania 42.
He won the NXT Championship in 2023 and later became United States Champion.
WWE has not said whether it declined to renew his contract or Dragunov chose not to re-sign.
- Who
- Ilja Dragunov and WWE.
- What
- Dragunov departed WWE after his contract expired and was moved to the company’s alumni roster.
- When
- The roster change was reported on Thursday, after Dragunov had been absent from television for about four months.
- Where
- The departure concerns WWE’s wrestling promotion; his last reported appearance was on SmackDown in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
- Why
- The contract reached its end, but it is unclear whether WWE chose not to renew it or Dragunov decided not to re-sign.
- WWE tenure
- Nearly seven years, beginning with his February 2019 signing.
- Age
- 32
- Last reported appearance
- Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown before WrestleMania 42.
- NXT Championship
- Won by defeating Carmelo Hayes in September 2023.
- United States Championship
- Won by defeating Sami Zayn in an October 2025 open challenge.
- Television absence
- Approximately four months.
- Recent injury
- A torn ACL kept Dragunov out of action for roughly a year.