Ilja Dragunov is preparing to make his in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling, but he has already made clear that he is studying the depth and variety of talent around him. Ahead of his October 21 match against “Speedball” Mike Bailey on AEW Dynamite, Dragunov singled out Bandido as a performer who has consistently left a lasting impression on him.
Bandido currently holds two major distinctions within the broader AEW and Ring of Honor landscape, as he is recognized as the ROH World Champion and one-third of the AEW World Trios Champions. For Dragunov, though, the appeal appears to extend beyond championships. He spoke about Bandido’s unique athletic ability and the apparent ease with which he pulls off movement that many wrestlers would find impossible.
“This is also somebody I have been impressed about, like, at all times, is a person like Bandido. What this person is just capable of is just like somebody just straight out of a video game. That is incredible. Some things he makes so effortlessly that I don’t have the capacity to describe that.”
The description is a fitting one for a wrestler whose offense has repeatedly been defined by speed, balance, aerial precision and bursts of power. Bandido’s style does not fit neatly into a single category. He can fly with the kind of confidence associated with the most daring lucha libre specialists, but he also has the strength to surprise opponents who underestimate him because of his agility. That combination has helped make him one of the most distinctive champions connected to AEW and ROH.
For more background on this topic, read Ilja Dragunov Says He Is Betting on Himself as AEW Debut Nears.
Dragunov’s praise also arrives at a notable moment for Bandido. At AEW WrestleDream, on the same night Dragunov made his AEW debut, Bandido teamed with Hangman Adam Page and Brody King in a successful effort to regain the AEW World Trios Titles. The trio defeated Swerve Strickland and The New Level, comprised of Kofi and Austin Creed, to put the championships back around the waists of Bandido, Page and King.
That result underscored the range of roles Bandido is carrying. He remains ROH World Champion while also being part of a high-profile championship unit in AEW. Alongside Page and King, he occupies a group built on dramatically different strengths: Page brings experience and explosive intensity, King supplies physical force, and Bandido provides a difficult-to-predict athletic dimension. Their WrestleDream victory reinforced why the trio can be so challenging to prepare for.
Dragunov Enters An AEW Roster Full Of Possibilities
For Dragunov, the immediate assignment is Mike Bailey. “Speedball” has earned his own reputation as one of the fastest and most inventive wrestlers in the ring, making him an especially demanding opponent for a debut match. The October 21 Dynamite bout will give Dragunov an early opportunity to show how his intensity translates in an AEW setting against an athlete whose striking and pace can rapidly change the direction of any contest.
It is also a matchup that places two stylistically vivid performers across from one another. Bailey’s quickness and kick-heavy approach can pressure an opponent from any angle. Dragunov, meanwhile, is known for competing with urgency and physical commitment. Neither man’s appeal is based on restraint, which gives the match an obvious potential to become a showcase for speed, toughness and momentum swings.
Still, Dragunov’s comments about Bandido matter because they reveal that Bailey is not the only name that has caught his attention. Entering a new environment means assessing the field, and Bandido is an especially conspicuous figure to evaluate. He has championship credentials, a major WrestleDream victory behind him and a style that inspires reactions even from fellow elite-level performers.
There is no announced match between Dragunov and Bandido at this time. Dragunov’s remarks should not be treated as confirmation of a future program or title challenge. They do, however, establish a clear measure of respect from one wrestler to another, while also pointing to the type of opponent Dragunov recognizes as exceptional. In a roster as broad as AEW’s, such comments naturally add intrigue to the possibilities that could emerge down the line.
Why Bandido Stands Out
Bandido’s ability to make remarkable offense look smooth is central to Dragunov’s assessment. Wrestling audiences often respond most strongly to difficult maneuvers when they retain an element of struggle or danger. Bandido’s appeal is that he can perform dazzling sequences with control, making extraordinary feats appear almost instinctive. That is the quality Dragunov compared to a video game: the sense that Bandido can access movements and transitions that do not seem available to most competitors.
That kind of praise carries weight coming from Dragunov. A wrestler does not need to share another performer’s style to recognize its difficulty. In fact, the contrast makes the compliment more revealing. Dragunov’s identity is tied to relentless combat, emotional intensity and a willingness to absorb punishment in pursuit of victory. Bandido’s game is marked by extraordinary athletic fluency. They approach wrestling from different angles, but both demand a significant physical and mental investment every time they compete.
A potential meeting would therefore be compelling not because the two men are alike, but because their strengths could force each other into unfamiliar territory. Dragunov would have to account for Bandido’s speed, leverage and aerial attack. Bandido would have to deal with an opponent whose pressure and determination can turn a match into a sustained fight. Those are questions for another day, but the mutual wrestling logic is already evident.
Championship Success Shapes The Conversation
Bandido’s standing as ROH World Champion adds another layer to any discussion of major future opponents. The championship represents the top prize in Ring of Honor, and it places Bandido in a position where every prospective challenger is measured not only by star power but by the ability to present a worthy championship contest. His AEW World Trios Title reign with Page and King further expands the number of directions available to him.
The WrestleDream result demonstrated that Bandido can thrive in the trios environment while still maintaining the profile of a world champion. Page and King bring established credibility to the partnership, and the title win over Strickland, Kofi and Austin Creed was an important statement for the new champions. Regaining the belts on the same card that introduced Dragunov to AEW also creates an interesting shared point in the timeline of both men’s current stories.
Dragunov’s debut night gave AEW a new in-ring presence to watch. Bandido’s victory that night reaffirmed the position he already holds. One man is beginning a new chapter in AEW competition; the other is continuing to build on a championship run across AEW and ROH. Those paths have not crossed in the ring, but Dragunov has made clear that Bandido is on his radar as a standout talent.
A Strong First Impression Before The First Bell
AEW’s schedule is built around a roster where fresh matchups can emerge quickly, especially when champions and newly arrived competitors are both in the mix. Dragunov’s first priority is unquestionably Bailey on October 21. A debut match is a chance to set a tone, introduce a competitor’s approach to a new audience and establish what opponents should expect moving forward.
But it is equally meaningful that Dragunov has chosen to highlight Bandido before competing in his first AEW match. His comments were not centered on a challenge or a demand. They were an expression of admiration for a wrestler who has consistently impressed him. That distinction matters. Respect does not guarantee cooperation, and admiration in professional wrestling can often become the foundation for a fiercely competitive encounter.
For now, Bandido remains focused on his responsibilities as ROH World Champion and AEW World Trios Champion alongside Hangman Adam Page and Brody King. Dragunov heads into a high-energy test against Mike Bailey on Dynamite. Yet Dragunov’s description of Bandido as someone “straight out of a video game” has put an intriguing spotlight on a possible future collision between two wrestlers whose strengths are unmistakably their own.
Whether that encounter takes place soon or remains only a possibility, the message from Dragunov is clear: Bandido is not simply another talented name in a crowded field. In Dragunov’s view, he is an athlete capable of things that defy easy explanation.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.