Fan favorite WWE wrestler Ilja Dragunov was released a few days ago when news broke that he’d no longer be part of the promotion. Dragunov has took part in some incredible matches against current stars like Gunther and Carmelo Hayes. However, it appears his time in WWE is ending due to money. Both the financial figures he wanted from his next contract and the company not seeing him as a star spelled his fate.
Dave Meltzer revealed the following about why Dragunov is gone:
“It was essentially conceded [Dragunov] was a great worker but not a numbers mover, and evidently for the level of money he was asking and getting, you needed to be a numbers mover. He had incredible matches in NXT, including bouts with Walter (Gunther) that are among the best matches in company history. He used the name Ilja Dragunov starting in 2012, so [he] would have the prior-use ability to continue using it.”
WWE didn’t want to pay Dragunov anywhere near the money he felt he deserved on his next contract. The decision was made to let Dragunov’s contract expire as an unofficial firing. Good matches were not enough for Dragunov to appease WWE’s desires. Recent changes to the contracts factored into letting Dragunov walk since they don’t believe he’s a draw.
Will Ilja Dragunov End Up In AEW?
The big question for any wrestler leaving WWE is whether they’ll end up in AEW or not. Dragunov perfectly fits the identity of AEW over being known for his in-ring work and having matches up there with any other performer at his best.
AEW President Tony Khan commented on Dragunov when asked after a recent Ring of Honor PPV:
“I’m not sure about the contractual status, but that’s a tremendous, tremendous professional wrestler, absolutely. Again, I don’t know exactly what the contractual status is of people that don’t work here. I can’t keep track of those things and there’s no way for me to know that, but one thing I do know is that’s a great wrestler.”
Khan made sure to protect himself and AEW legally by not making any comment on plans to sign Dragunov. However, the praise of calling him a “tremendous, tremendous professional wrestler” does imply that there will be interest in such an elite talent.
WWE Keeps Losing Talent Over Money
The decision to let Dragunov walk sees WWE losing another talent due to their financial changes under TKO ownership. WWE no longer rewards performers for doing well or experiencing longevity for locker room presence.
New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were let go when they refused to take a pay cut that was reported to be up to 50%. Sheamus is another future Hall of Famer to recently leave WWE. All three names were rumored to be on AEW’s radar.
Dragunov represents a younger star in his prime with a long career ahead of him. AEW will have the chance to add another premiere in-ring performer due to WWE not wanting to invest money in Dragunov’s long-term future.
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