WWE Long-Term Plans For Ilja Dragunov Revealed

WWE have major plans for Ilja Dragunov in the coming years.

Dragunov is the reigning NXT Champion and he is scheduled to defend the belt against Tony D'Angelo in one of the headline matches at NXT Stand & Deliver. It appears Dragunov will be retaining the title at the WrestleMania weekend show as, according to Fightful Select's Corey Brennan, Dragunov is not planned to be called up to the WWE main roster at this time but he is expected to join either Raw or SmackDown when he loses the NXT Championship. 

When he does move to the main roster, the belief amongst several in NXT is WWE view Dragunov in a similar way to Gunther and they have plans to push him in a similar manner to Der Ring General when Dragunov does move to Raw or SmackDown. Some within NXT already feel Dragunov is beyond the brand. 

WWE reportedly also think highly of Dragunov. He is constantly praised as NXT producers need to give him very little direction, which is said to be unique on the current roster. One NXT talent also believes Dragunov elevates anyone he wrestles, while others have noted he is very easy to work with and a "wonderful person to be around." 

Some fans have questioned if Dragunov making trips home might affect his main roster schedule. This wouldn't be an issue, though, and WWE are more than happy to accommodate Dragunov's schedule. 

Ilja Dragunov has been a part of WWE since February 2019, initially as part of the NXT UK brand where he became NXT UK Champion. He moved full-time to WWE NXT in 2022 after NXT UK was shut down.