The WWE roster just got a little lighter. Ilja Dragunov, one of the most intense competitors to step through the ropes in recent memory, has officially parted ways with the company. According to PWInsider.com, the 32-year-old's contract expired, and he's already been moved to the alumni section on WWE's website.
"Ilja [Dragunov] is exiting World Wrestling Entertainment, PWInsider.com can exclusively confirm," the outlet reported. "We are told that Dragonuv's deal has expired. He was removed internally from WWE roster this week."
A Hard-Hitting Career in WWE
Dragunov, born Ilja Rukober, burst onto the scene in 2019 after building a reputation in Germany and England. He quickly became a cornerstone of NXT, where his brutal, no-nonsense style earned him a devoted following and the NXT Championship.
His main roster debut came the day after WrestleMania XL in 2024, but a torn ACL sidelined him for most of 2025. He returned in October and immediately captured the United States Championship from Sami Zayn, a moment that felt like a long-awaited payoff for fans who'd watched him grind for years.
Championship Run and Final Matches
During his title reign, Dragunov ran through a who's who of challengers: Aleister Black, Nathan Frazer, Johnny Gargano, Axiom, JD McDonagh, Carmelo Hayes, and Tommaso Ciampa. He finally dropped the belt to Hayes in December, then continued competing into early 2026.
At the 2026 Royal Rumble, he entered at number 17 and lasted 11 minutes before Brock Lesnar, a man who's made a career of ending others' nights, tossed him out. His final WWE match came in a battle royal on the April 17 edition of SmackDown.
Dragunov's absence in the months before his departure was never explained, but at just 32, he's got plenty of gas left in the tank. The question now is where he lands. AEW? New Japan? A return to the independent scene? The wrestling world is watching.
His exit adds to a growing list of big names leaving WWE, a trend that's reshaping the landscape. For Dragunov, the next chapter could be his most compelling yet.
