Published: 11 minutes ago by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: 2 seconds ago by Jamie Toolan
Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.
WWE
An update has emerged regarding Ilja Dragunov’s contract negotiations with WWE prior to his departure.
On Thursday, August 20, news broke regarding the departure of former United States Champion Ilja Dragunov from WWE, with the Russian star exiting the company following the expiration of his contract.
Dragunov’s status in WWE had long been the subject of speculation given that he vanished from TV without explanation after participating in the 2026 Andre The Giant Battle Royal on April 17, and now we have more information regarding this period of absence.
In a new update on the situation published in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer revealed that Dragunov was previously signed to a “very good contract” and upon negotiating a new deal, he and WWE were “far enough apart” that a decision was made by WWE to not use him on TV beyond April.
Meltzer wrote:
We had over the months since his disappearances asked about him and the only answer we had gotten was that he wasn’t injured but creative was not using him.
One version was that they had nothing for him but another was that they were specifically told he was unavailable to be used. Essentially, he signed what was termed a very good contract and it was coming due.
In talks over a new deal, the sides were far enough apart that the decision was made in April not to use him anymore. He would be free to wrestle anywhere at this point as there is no non-compete for a contract running out.
Meltzer then added that Dragunov would have had to have been a “numbers mover” in order to warrant the kind of money he requested in his new deal, but WWE did not view him as that:
It was essentially conceded he was a great worker but not a numbers mover and evidently for the level of money he was asking and getting, you needed to be a numbers mover.
Dragunov may not be the only main roster name departing WWE before the end of 2026, as it was also revealed yesterday that several more talent contracts are due to expire in October.
It’s not yet known which stars could be set to exit the company, but Bayley is one high profile name that is known to have a contract that is due to expire before the end of 2026.
As well as the two dozen WWE talent cuts back in April, Sheamus and The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) also exited the company this year, with all three reportedly turning down contract restructurings before departing.
With Dragunov’s future up in the air, one of his former colleagues in WWE has teased shaving his head if he secures a match with ‘The Mad Dragon’ – click here for further details.
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