Ilja Dragunov has offered a clearer timeline on when he began considering a departure from WWE, saying the thought was already on his mind around April, and possibly as early as the month before.
Dragunov officially left WWE in August after his contract expired and he chose not to sign a new deal. He had not appeared on WWE television since competing in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal in April. Following the end of his WWE agreement, Dragunov arrived in AEW at WrestleDream and has now begun his in-ring run with the company.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Dragunov discussed the point at which he started to weigh a move away from WWE. The former WWE talent connected those feelings to the direction of his work after returning from a torn ACL, winning a championship following that comeback, and later losing the title.
“After I tore my ACL, I was fortunate to win a championship straight back on my comeback, which was an amazing moment for me that I still cherish,” Dragunov said. “After I dropped the belt, things went into directions where I feel like it could’ve been better and more time to go into a story or something outside of holding a championship.”
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For Dragunov, the issue was not framed as a rejection of the work itself. Instead, he pointed to the importance of having time to develop stories and present a broader version of his character beyond a title reign. His comments suggest that, while he remained grateful for the championship opportunity that followed his injury absence, he was seeking a more sustained creative path after that run ended.
Dragunov says he continued giving everything to WWE
The timeline is particularly notable because it places Dragunov’s initial consideration of an exit months before his contract reached its conclusion in August. He said the thought had emerged around April, perhaps even in March, while stressing that his internal decision-making never changed the effort he brought to his job.
“Around April, maybe even a month before that, I was already just thinking about it,” Dragunov said. “It never changed anything about my work because I love what I do and I make every minute count, but we all have feelings and we all want to devote ourselves to this, but I know it’s part of the business. I wouldn’t change that.”
That perspective fits Dragunov’s reputation as an intense, physical performer whose presentation has consistently centered on commitment and urgency. Even while contemplating his future, he said he continued to approach every opportunity with the same level of investment. His remarks also make clear that he does not view the experience with bitterness. He acknowledged the realities of the wrestling business and said he would not change what happened.
Dragunov’s reference to wanting more time for stories offers a meaningful insight into what he values professionally. Championships can establish status, but a long-term connection with an audience is often strengthened through rivalries, personal conflicts, and character-driven angles that unfold over time. Dragunov indicated that he wanted the opportunity to explore those dimensions outside of simply being positioned as a champion.
His WWE television absence began after the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal in April. The gap between that appearance and the August expiration of his deal created a lengthy period in which fans were left waiting for clarity on his next step. Once his contract expired, Dragunov did not renew, bringing an end to his WWE tenure.
A new chapter begins in AEW
Dragunov’s next destination became clear at AEW WrestleDream, where he made his debut for the promotion. The arrival immediately positioned him as a significant addition to a roster that features wrestlers with a wide range of in-ring styles, from technical specialists to high-flying standouts and hard-hitting brawlers.
His first AEW match followed on Wednesday’s Dynamite, where Dragunov defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey. The matchup served as an immediate showcase of Dragunov’s intensity against an opponent known for speed, striking, and athletic explosiveness. The victory gave Dragunov a successful start to his AEW in-ring career and established momentum for whatever comes next.
There is a natural reason for attention to focus on how AEW uses Dragunov from here. His comments about wanting greater room for stories will invite close scrutiny of his presentation, his first rivalries, and the amount of time AEW devotes to developing his motivations and matches. A debut win is an important first result, but the longer-term creative direction will determine how fully the company capitalizes on his arrival.
Dragunov’s interview comments also provide useful context for the transition. His move was not described as a sudden decision made only when the contract deadline arrived. By his account, it was a process that began months earlier as he assessed the direction of his career after returning from injury and moving beyond a championship reign.
The importance of the post-injury period
The ACL injury and the return that followed remain central to Dragunov’s explanation. He described winning a championship straight after his comeback as an “amazing moment” that he still cherishes. That is a significant point in his account: he was not saying his return lacked recognition or that he was denied an important accomplishment.
Rather, Dragunov distinguished between receiving that championship moment and feeling that the subsequent direction could have gone further. His desire was for additional time and more substantial storytelling after dropping the title. In professional wrestling, the period after a title loss can be as defining as the reign itself, as it can reveal how a performer responds to setbacks, shifts in alliances, or launches into a new feud. Dragunov felt there was potential for more in that space.
That desire is now likely to shape expectations around his AEW run. A performer with Dragunov’s style can make a powerful first impression through match quality and force of personality, but his own comments underline that he is also looking for narrative depth. The strongest next step for him will be one that combines those elements: memorable in-ring performances with a story that gives those performances additional stakes.
For AEW, his signing creates another fresh matchup pool and another performer who can immediately be placed in prominent competition. The win over Bailey demonstrated that Dragunov is not being eased in through a lengthy adjustment period. At the same time, one match only begins the process. The promotion has time to establish who Dragunov is within its environment, what he wants to achieve, and which opponents are best suited to bring out the emotional intensity he believes is essential.
Dragunov leaves WWE with gratitude, not regret
Although the discussion centered on the factors behind his decision, Dragunov’s tone was not one of regret. He spoke warmly about the championship he won after recovering from the ACL tear and emphasized his continuing love for professional wrestling. He also acknowledged that difficult career decisions are part of the business.
That distinction matters. Wrestlers can leave a promotion because they believe their next opportunity is elsewhere while still appreciating the milestones they achieved before moving on. Dragunov’s comments place his WWE departure in that category. He saw areas where his creative direction could have been stronger, thought seriously about his future months before his deal ended, and ultimately chose a new path.
Now, the focus moves to AEW. Dragunov has made his WrestleDream debut, defeated Mike Bailey on Dynamite, and made clear what he hopes to find in the next stage of his career: opportunities to make every minute count, both inside the ring and through stories that extend beyond championship pursuits.
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.