A former WWE star made his blockbuster debut at AEW recently. All Elite Wrestling has hired multiple stars in 2026, and each of them has been a hit. As the year is coming to an end, with just two months remaining to spare, President Tony Khan signed a blockbuster star, Ilja Dragunov. The former United States Champion was released from the company in August 2026.
At WrestleDream, the Conductor of Violence made his All Elite debut. The very next Wednesday, he made his in-ring debut against Mike Bailey. Both stars put on a great match, which included technical wrestling alongside some stiff strikes and kicks. In the end, the Mad Dragon emerged victorious. Just by his presentation, it is evident that huge things are planned for him.
After the match, Ilja Dragunov took to X and posted several images and clips of his in-ring debut at Dynamite last week. He also wrote a two-word message.
“Burning hearts🔥,” he wrote.
AEW star Ilja Dragunov explains the process ahead of his debut
While speaking on TMZ Inside the Ring, Ilja Dragunov addressed the road to his All Elite Wrestling debut. He talked about how AEW coordinated with him during his pyro and music arrangement. The Mad Dragon also stated that he and the promotion were on the same page on multiple aspects.
“I already started in the very very small time that we are working together to … have the opportunity to work with great minds when it comes down to the first vignettes that we’re passing on with the perspectives from my other hometown Dresden by night when it comes comes down to the parts with the metronome. When it comes down to the music which came specific specifically from me, but all the different layers like conducting the pyro that came out of the entrance stage that like so many things came from AEW’s side, from my side, but somehow we were always on the same page with everything and everything they offered me was just always better at some point,” he said.
It remains to be seen what is next for the former United States Champion.
Get all the hottest wrestling news FIRST by clicking here
Edited by Tejas Pagare
