Quick Info
| Profession | Professional wrestler |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Russian and German |
| Date of Birth | 10/10/1993 |
| Age | 33 years |
| Birthplace | Moscow, Russia |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Latest News about Ilja Dragunov
20/08/2026
Ilja Dragunov's WWE contract expired and he chose not to re-sign, with PWInsider reporting his departure and WWE moving his profile to the alumni section. He had not wrestled on WWE television since the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal before WrestleMania 42 in April 2026. Reports at the time said he was expected to explore a new deal as a free agent.
17/10/2025
Ilja Dragunov won the WWE United States Championship by defeating Sami Zayn on SmackDown in his first match back from a long injury layoff caused by an ACL sprain. The win marked a major return to the title picture for the former NXT and NXT UK Champion.
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Bio/Wiki
| Birth Name | Ilja Rukober |
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| Summary | Russian-German professional wrestler known for his WWE tenure, including NXT, NXT UK and WWE United States Championship reigns, and for his earlier work on the European independent circuit, especially with Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw). He signed with WWE in 2019 and left the company in August 2026 after his contract expired. |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
|---|---|
| Billed Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Wrestling Style | Allrounder |
Personal Life
| Children | 1 |
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| Migration | Moved from Moscow to Dresden, Germany with his mother at age five, speaking no German |
Relationships & More
| Notable Rivalry | Walter (Gunther), with whom he fought in wXw and later in WWE NXT UK and NXT |
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Family
| Mother | Moved to Germany with him in childhood |
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Career
| Professional Debut | 21/04/2012 |
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| Major Titles |
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| Promotions |
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| Current Status | Not under contract with WWE as of August 2026; his deal expired and WWE moved his profile to its alumni section |
Style Quotient
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Worked at a pizza parlor and a gas station from a young age to help support his family. | |
| 2. Is a naturalized German citizen. | |
| 3. Was the first non-kayfabe Russian-born male wrestler to win a championship in WWE. | |
| 4. His rivalry with Walter produced two matches rated five stars or higher by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. |
