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SmackDown · Russia
Mad Dragon
Former NXT Champion
Ilja Dragunov — The Mad Dragon
There is no one in professional wrestling who performs with the same uncut, almost frightening intensity as Ilja Dragunov. The Russian-born SmackDown competitor arrived in WWE through NXT UK, became one of the most decorated performers in that brand's history, then won the NXT Championship and announced himself to the world. When the Torpedo Moskow connects, the match is over. Full stop.
TORPEDO MOSKOW
Finisher
NXT UK + NXT Champion
SmackDown main roster 2024
The Ilja Dragunov Story
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NXT UK to the World — The Dragunov Journey
Ilja Dragunov built his legend in NXT UK, a brand that consistently produced some of the best pure wrestling matches in WWE's modern era. His feud with WALTER — now Gunther — is considered one of the greatest series in recent memory. That level of performance at that level of pressure is what makes him different.
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NXT Championship — Intensity Rewarded
Winning the NXT Championship was the culmination of everything Ilja Dragunov had built. He didn't just win the title — he defined the kind of champion NXT needed after years of polished presentation. His reign was raw, physical, and completely authentic to who he is as a performer and a competitor.
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Torpedo Moskow — The Most Dangerous Lariat in WWE
The Torpedo Moskow is a running lariat delivered with every kilogram of Dragunov's body weight behind it. It looks like it genuinely hurts because the way Ilja throws himself into it suggests he doesn't care about the impact on himself either. That commitment is what separates a great finisher from a devastating one.
Ilja Dragunov Highlights
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Chad Gable’s journey for redemption: WWE Playlist
2 views · 3 hours ago
Chad Gable’s journey for redemption: WWE Playlist
4 views · 3 hours ago
FULL MATCH: Roman Reigns vs. Finn Bálor vs. Drew McIntyre | Triple Threat Match: Raw, July 16, 2018
4 views · 3 hours ago
Cody Rhodes refuses to apologize to CM Punk: SummerSlam 2026 Kickoff Highlights
6 views · 19 hours ago
Wait which one is the real Triple H??? 😂 #FanaticsFest #SummerSlam
6 views · 19 hours ago
🚨Triple H made it official: Gunther will face Nick Aldis at #SummerSlam!!! #FanaticsFest
6 views · 19 hours ago
Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns at #SummerSlam is going to be an all timer. 🔥 #FanaticsFest
4 views · 19 hours ago
Paul Heyman is INSANE for this… 😳 #FanaticsFest
8 views · 19 hours ago
OBA vs. LESNAR III inside HELL IN A CELL! We can’t wait for #SummerSlam! 🔥 #FanaticsFest
4 views · 19 hours ago
Chad Gable’s had his eye on the #ICTitle for a long time… 👀 #FanaticsFest
4 views · 19 hours ago
When will people learn that you don’t mess with Danhausen😂 #FanaticsFest
5 views · 19 hours ago
THANK YOU CODY! 👏👏👏👏👏 #FanaticsFest
3 views · 19 hours ago
Things just got personal… Who’s ready PUNK vs. RHODES at #SummerSlam? 🔥🔥🔥 #FanaticsFest
5 views · 19 hours ago
Best of SummerSlam: Full Match Marathon
2 views · 19 hours ago
Top 10 Saturday Night’s Main Event moments: WWE Top 10, July 18, 2026
3 views · 23 hours ago
Rey Mysterio rehires Andrea Bazarte: Lucha Libre AAA highlights, July 18, 2026
4 views · 23 hours ago
Rey Mysterio makes a tournament to crown the new Latin American Champion: Lucha Libre AAA highlights
5 views · 23 hours ago
El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. qualifies for Latin American Title Final: Lucha Libre AAA highlights
6 views · 23 hours ago
Analysis & Coverage
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Event Preview
Why Ilja Dragunov’s return is the tactical correction WWE desperately needs
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Transfer Rumor
WWE is preparing to bring Ilja Dragunov back to television
2 weeks, 5 days ago
Transfer Rumor
Ilja Dragunov could be WWE's next main event breakout
1 month ago
Technical Analysis
WWE is wasting Ilja Dragunov and the ceiling is sinking
1 month, 1 week ago
Event Preview
Ilja Dragunov's return is the violent spark SmackDown needs tonight
2 months ago
Prediction
Ilja Dragunov is the main event player WWE is ignoring
2 months, 3 weeks ago
Injury Report
WM42 Chatter? Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes Need WM41 Moments, Now!
3 months ago
Commentary
Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov just tore the house down on SmackDown
3 months, 4 weeks ago
Commentary
Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov just set a new standard for Friday nights
3 months, 4 weeks ago
Transfer Rumor
Is Ilja Dragunov on the verge of a main roster breakout?
3 months, 4 weeks ago
Latest News
View AllHAYES VERSUS DRAGUNOV: LIVE ONGOING WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
PWInsider
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WWE SmackDown Results (March 21, 2026): Orton Embraces The Viper, Hayes Retains US Title Over Dragunov, Priest And Truth Win Tag Titles, Tama Tells Solo He’s “Acting Like Roman,” Jade’s Faction Attacks Rhea
WrestlingNews.co
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Carmelo Hayes Beats Ilja Dragunov In Latest WWE Men's US Title Defense On SmackDown
Wrestling Inc
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Trick Williams Names Ilja Dragunov As WWE Star Who Pushed Him To ‘Next Level’
WrestleTalk
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Ilja Dragunov Addresses He & Carmelo Hayes Missing Out On WWE WrestleMania 42 Card, ‘Somewhere Down The Line It’s All Going To Make Sense’
WrestleTalk
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Ilja Dragunov Says Missing WrestleMania 42 Won’t Hurt Carmelo Hayes: ‘People That Work Like Him Get Their Payoff’
WrestlingNews.co
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Ilja Dragunov Comments On WWE WrestleMania 42 Absence For Himself & Carmelo Hayes
Wrestling Inc
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Ilja Dragunov Identifies Important Lesson Learned From WWE NXT Boss Shawn Michaels
Wrestling Inc
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Ilja Dragunov Defends Brock Lesnar No-Selling His Chops at WWE Royal Rumble
Ringside News
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Ilja Dragunov Names Classic Staredown As His Favorite WWE WrestleMania Moment
Wrestling Inc
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WWE’s Ilja Dragunov Recalls Training With Nattie & TJ Wilson At The Dungeon Ahead Of Return From Injury
WrestleTalk
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WWE Officials Don’t See Ilja Dragunov As A Top Superstar
BodySlam.net
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THEN, NOW, FOREVER – The Great American Bash: Rey Mysterio vs. Dean Malenko in Rey’s WCW debut 30 years ago, Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk
PWTorch
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Ilja Dragunov’s WWE Return Status Amid Television Absence
Ringside News
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Ilja Dragunov WWE Return Update
WrestleTalk
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Backstage Update On Ilja Dragunov's WWE Status
Wrestling Inc
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Ilja Dragunov WWE return update | Exclusive
F4WOnline
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Where Things Stand on Potential Ilja Dragunov vs. Gunther Feud in WWE
Ringside News
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