Ilja Dragunov made a stunning and thrilling return to the ring after being out for over a year due to injury, answering Sami Zayn’s United States Open challenge during Friday’s edition of SmackDown and taking the champion’s title belt.
Dragunov got the job done after hitting Zayn with a Torpedo Moscow and then an H-Bomb for the win.
Zayn was clearly distracted by nemesis Solo Sikoa beforehand, although he still caught a charging Dragunov and gave him an Exploder Suplex.
Zayn then ran in for a Helluva Kick, but Dragunov countered and closed the match, stunning fans.
Dragunov previously suffered a torn ACL in a match with Gunther during a live event in Sept. 2024 and had been out ever since.
Dragunov almost didn’t even get the opportunity to answer the Open Challenge. The Miz first took the opportunity and started cutting a promo on Zayn as he walked down to the ring. However, Carmelo Hayes then attacked The Miz from behind, and that challenge was soon squashed.
Zayn then awaited a new challenger, and Dragunov took advantage of his opportunity. He also debuted a new look, showing a more bulked-up physique and sporting a neck tattoo as well.
Dragunov signed with WWE in 2019 and wrestled on NXT UK from 2019-2022 before moving to NXT in 2022. He fared quite well, winning the NXT United Kingdom Championship and the NXT Championship. Dragunov also earned Male Superstar of the Year honors in 2023.
He made his main roster debut on April 8, 2024, but his first stint there unfortunately lasted just five-plus months.
However, Dragunov didn’t waste any time making a major impact in his return, taking Zayn’s belt and becoming a champion for the first time on the main roster.
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