Report: Ilja Dragunov Originally Scheduled For WWE Main Roster Call-Up Earlier This Year

Ilja Dragunov was originally scheduled to move to the WWE main roster earlier this year until plans changed, according to a new report. 

Dragunov is currently riding high in WWE NXT, having captured the NXT Championship from Carmelo Hayes at No Mercy on September 30. The 29-year-old has been one of the standout performers in NXT throughout 2023 and he had been in the hunt for the NXT Title for some time, having previously unsuccessfully challenged for the belt at Halloween Havoc 2022 and Great American Bash 2023. 

Dragunov may have never become NXT Champion if WWE hadn't scrapped their plans for a main roster call-up, with Better Wrestling Experience reporting that Dragunov was slated to move to Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown earlier this year. 

"Dragunov was slated for a callup earlier in the year. A lot changed. Doubt we see it anytime soon," BWE tweeted.

Rumours earlier this year suggested Dragunov could head to the main roster and link up with Imperium. Dragunov has since told Cultaholic Wrestling that he isn't interested in joining Gunther's faction, noting he and the Intercontinental Champion are completely different. 

It was noted in August that WWE were not planning to move Dragunov to the main roster any more.