Kyle Fletcher has made no secret of the opponent he would most like to see arrive in AEW: Ilja Dragunov.
With Dragunov’s WWE deal reported to have expired last month and questions continuing over where the former NXT Champion could wrestle next, Fletcher addressed the possibility of seeing the hard-hitting Russian-born star join the AEW roster. Fletcher did not present Dragunov’s free-agent status as settled fact, but he made it clear that, from a personal standpoint, he would welcome the chance to share a ring with him again.
Speaking ahead of AEW All In, Fletcher identified Dragunov as one of the most compelling names connected with possible movement in the wrestling landscape. More importantly, he explained that there is a direct history between them that makes a potential AEW encounter particularly appealing.
“The one on the top of everyone’s list at the moment is Ilja (Dragunov). He’s possibly a free agent, as we’ve all heard. He’s someone that I wrestled in PROGRESS over here in the UK before. So for me personally and selfishly, I would very much love to see him in AEW. I think that would be awesome, and I look forward to seeing what a 2026 match with Ilja Dragunov looks like. I think that would be very exciting.”
For more background on this topic, read Kyle Fletcher Explains Why Claudio Castagnoli’s Advice Became a Wrist Tattoo.
Fletcher sees unfinished potential in a Dragunov rematch
The key part of Fletcher’s comments is not simply that he would like Dragunov to sign with AEW. He also sees their prior work together in PROGRESS Wrestling as a foundation for a new meeting at a very different stage of their respective careers.
Both wrestlers have developed reputations for aggressive, physical matches and a willingness to make major bouts feel like fights. Dragunov’s intensity has long been central to his presentation, while Fletcher has continued to establish himself as a prominent young AEW competitor. A rematch between them would therefore not just revisit their UK independent wrestling past; it would place two performers with added experience, exposure, and expectations in a new environment.
Fletcher specifically framed the prospect as a “2026 match,” suggesting that he believes time and career progression would make another contest distinct from anything they did previously. That is an important distinction. Wrestling rematches are often built on familiarity, but they are most effective when the competitors have changed enough for the rivalry to carry a fresh sense of discovery. Fletcher’s comments indicate that he sees that potential in Dragunov.
There is no announced AEW agreement for Dragunov, and Fletcher’s remarks should not be treated as confirmation of one. His wording reflected the uncertainty surrounding Dragunov’s situation, referring to him as “possibly a free agent.” Still, the comments offer a clear picture of the interest that a wrestler of Dragunov’s profile could generate within AEW if he does become available to the promotion.
Why Dragunov has become a heavily discussed name
Dragunov’s reported WWE departure immediately prompted discussion among fans about his potential future. As a former NXT Champion, he enters any free-agency conversation with an established track record, a recognizable in-ring identity, and a history that extends beyond WWE.
His reputation was built in part through European wrestling, including his years in the United Kingdom and appearances for promotions such as PROGRESS. That background gives him existing connections to a broad range of wrestlers who have since reached major international platforms. Fletcher is one such wrestler, and his public interest in a reunion illustrates why Dragunov’s name has drawn attention.
For AEW, the appeal of a prospective Dragunov signing would be straightforward on a creative level. The roster contains a large number of wrestlers whose styles could complement his forceful, high-impact approach. Fletcher has now openly volunteered himself as a potential opponent, but the significance of his statement is broader than one matchup. It underlines how an arrival by Dragunov could immediately create matches with history attached to them.
That history is useful because it does not require a promotion to present two strangers as instant rivals. Fletcher and Dragunov have already competed against one another in PROGRESS, giving any future AEW program a genuine starting point. Their past can be acknowledged, expanded upon, or simply used as texture for a contest driven by competitive pride.
An AEW match would arrive at a different point for Fletcher
Fletcher’s interest also reflects the position he now occupies in AEW. A wrestler who once crossed paths with Dragunov on the UK scene is now discussing the prospect of bringing that rivalry to a global company and to one of the largest stages available to him.
That contrast is part of what makes Fletcher’s comments notable. He is not only looking backward at a previous match; he is looking forward to measuring how both athletes have evolved. Fletcher’s phrasing was enthusiastic but also competitive. He wants Dragunov in AEW because he believes the match would be “awesome,” and because he is intrigued by what the updated version of their rivalry might look like.
In-ring chemistry is often impossible to guarantee before a match takes place, but prior experience can be valuable. Fletcher already knows the type of intensity Dragunov brings, and Dragunov would likewise be familiar with Fletcher from their time in PROGRESS. That can create a different kind of anticipation than a first-time matchup, particularly when both men have continued to develop their work in the years since.
Fletcher’s statement does not outline a proposed storyline, a match date, or a specific AEW event. It is instead an expression of interest from a wrestler who sees a high-level opponent, a familiar rival, and a chance to produce something different from their previous encounter. For fans following Dragunov’s next step, that is a meaningful endorsement.
Speculation remains separate from confirmation
As of Fletcher’s interview, the central question remains unresolved: where will Dragunov wrestle next? The reported expiration of his WWE contract has fueled speculation, but speculation is not the same thing as a signed deal or a confirmed debut.
Fletcher was careful not to claim knowledge of Dragunov’s plans. His use of “possibly” acknowledged the public uncertainty, while his broader message focused on what he personally hopes happens. That is the appropriate lens through which to view his remarks. They are not an announcement; they are a candid indication that Fletcher would be excited to see Dragunov become part of AEW.
Should that happen, a Fletcher-Dragunov match would be an obvious bout for fans to discuss. Their shared PROGRESS background offers a natural hook, while their current positions ensure that a 2026 meeting would not simply be a recreation of the past. It would be a chance to see how two wrestlers shaped by the UK independent scene have changed after taking divergent paths through major promotions and high-profile opportunities.
For now, Fletcher has put his preference on record. Dragunov may be one of the most talked-about possible free agents in wrestling, and Fletcher believes AEW would be a fitting destination. More specifically, he wants to be waiting on the other side of the ring if Dragunov does arrive.
Whether that desired reunion becomes reality will depend on Dragunov’s eventual decision and any agreements that follow. Until then, Fletcher’s comments have added a compelling potential matchup to the conversation surrounding Dragunov’s future.
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.