Backstage Update On Ilja Dragunov's Recovery From Torn ACL

There have been encouraging signs for fans of Ilja Dragunov. The WWE Superstar could make his return to the ring sooner than expected, following time off for a torn ACL in September 2024.

Dragunov's last match came at a WWE live event in Columbus, Georgia on September 28, where he challenged Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. After the show, it emerged that Ilja would be forced to spend time recovering from an injury.

However, Fightful Select's Corey Brennan reports that things could now be looking up for the former NXT Champion. Brennan has stated that Dragunov has been spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida training for his in-ring return. Dragunov was not at the facility to rehab his injury and he did not wear any support gear for his injury.

After a successful indie career centred around Germany and the UK, Dragunov signed with WWE's NXT UK brand in 2019. He moved to the main NXT brand in 2022, before being called up to Raw in the aftermath of last year's WrestleMania.

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