Wrestling fans have been waiting for a while now for Ilja Dragunov, and how he left his stamp on WWE with his passion and intensity. After many months of being on the shelf due to a torn ACL, inside sources are talking about his return. It is being rumored that the Mad Dragon’s return will come in September of 2025. Fans are excited, but now speculation arises about what that means for WWE programming.
Table of Contents
Ilja Dragunov’s recent status
The injury occurred during a non-televised live event in September of 2024, where Dragunov faced Gunther. His injury halted momentum after he was drafted to Monday Night RAW earlier that year. Dragunov has a reputation for being a ferocious, strong style performer with a continued track history of captivating matches. He was also the first Russian-born male champion in WWE’s history. Dragunov was already gaining traction on the main roster after being a two-time NXT Champion.
Details about Ilja Dragunov’s rumored return
Reports say Dragunov is expected back to action in September of 2025 as per PWN, which will mark a year since his injury. An official statement from WWE has not been made. But Dragunov has been seen training at the Performance Center and is no longer wearing any support gear during workouts. It can be considered that he is a good way into his recovery. September 2025 might be a tactical time for his return, especially if he returns in the period of WWE’s fall pay-per-views or within the storyline arcs on RAW.
Potential storylines and opponents after potential return
Dragunov’s return presents thrilling opportunities. He truly could return to his feud with Gunther or pursue the Intercontinental Championship following his history in the title picture. Being back would also lay him in the crosshairs of the top-tier stars in the company, such as Seth Rollins or Cody Rhodes. It will create new feuds for a character that thrives on his intense persona.
His matches with Carmelo Hayes or Dominik Mysterio would also present a significant amount of interest from fans leading up to the match and then promote more interest in the interest when they were there.
Ilja Dragunov’s uniques style and appeal
Dragunov’s unique style and energy level allow him to show a level of raw emotion that makes him one of the most quality performers on the show. He naturally taps into fans’ excitement and passion through his attention to detail, while finding ways to promote and create new dynamics in his storytelling when he is in the ring. Any return would unquestionably help bolster the roster for fans. Dragunov presents an opportunity for some intriguing matches with others on the roster.
Fans reactions and social media buzz
There are already conversations that have begun on social media regarding Dragunov. One of the first videos was a montage of clips of Dragunov’s best moments and fans mentioned they all just wanted Dragunov to get back soon. All of this social media buzz also further evidences the popular connection Dragunov had and will have moving forward with the WWE audience.
Given that Dragunov has been absent indefinitely in the world of WWE programming, the idea of his potential return in September is exciting. He could ignite all the fireworks he naturally brings to WWE shows, making him one of the most anticipated returns in 2025. The entire team of “FightManiacs” wishes Ilja Dragunov for a speedy recovery and good health.
Reddaveni Saisneha 
Sachin Singh