Former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov has suffered his first defeat on the WWE main roster.
One of many call-ups in the 2024 Draft, many were predicting big things for The Mad Dragon as his call-up had been a long time coming. Entering the King of the Ring tournament, Dragunov defeated Ricochet in the opening round on Raw and advanced to the quarterfinals to take on Jey Uso.
With the winner of Dragunov vs. Uso facing Gunther in the semifinals, fans were optimistic that the third match between The Ring General and The Mad Dragon would take place the following week and would be yet another classic match between the two hard-hitting stars. However, this was not meant to be as Uso defeated Dragunov in the main event of Raw.
Speaking in a digital exclusive after the match, Dragunov declared that although he is in pain he will become even more dangerous:
“I mean, what should I say? It’s so frustrating, it is. But where is actually the shame to lose to the man the ‘Main Event’, right? All I know right now, I’m tired, I’m in pain, but the beauty of it is that in already very dangerous in this ring. But when I’m pain, I’m an entire monster.”
When asked who he thinks will win the next match between Gunther and Jey Uso, Dragunov did not ay who would win but instead issued a warning to the roster:
“Predictions? I mean, they’re both like the absolute bar. The only prediction I can make is for myself, and this prediction is, no one is safe anymore. To quote Shawn Michaels, ‘I’m what the kids call a real problem.”
Ilja Dragunov Looks To Chase His Destiny
Now a part of the main roster, there are many first time ever matches involving the former NXT Champion that fans can’t wait to see. However, when it comes to the opponent that is at the top of the list, Ilja Dragunov described the match as his destiny.
H/t to SEScoops.