Ilja Dragunov is officially All Elite. The former WWE star made his AEW debut at the 2026 WrestleDream pay-per-view, and he addressed the moment directly afterward during the post-event media scrum alongside Renee Paquette and AEW President Tony Khan.
Asked about the reception he received from the WrestleDream crowd, Dragunov did not hold back. “I would say very, very overwhelming,” he said, describing the response to his arrival in terms that reflected just how significant the moment felt to him personally and professionally.
Dragunov also used the scrum to make a statement about where he believes he fits within the AEW roster. “If we say that AEW is where the best wrestle, how couldn’t I belong here?” he said, framing his signing as a natural step for a wrestler who considers himself among the top performers in the industry. The remark doubled as both a confidence statement and an introduction to a fanbase seeing him compete outside WWE for the first time on this stage.
Beyond discussing the crowd and his own standing, Dragunov used the media session to look ahead, naming roster members he wants to wrestle now that he is under contract with the promotion. While specific opponents were not detailed beyond that general interest, the comments signal that Dragunov intends to move quickly into meaningful program with established AEW talent rather than ease into the roster quietly.
The timing of the announcement, debuting at WrestleDream itself rather than being teased in advance, fits the kind of surprise arrival AEW has used at its tentpole events to generate shock value. Tony Khan’s presence alongside Dragunov and Paquette in the scrum underscored that this was being treated as a notable addition to the roster rather than a minor appearance, with the AEW President on hand to help introduce the newly signed star to media immediately following his in-ring arrival.
What matches or storylines Dragunov will be plugged into next has not been detailed in the available reporting. His comments about wanting to face specific roster members suggest AEW officials and Dragunov himself view his first steps in the company as a priority, but no confirmed opponent, date, or show has been attached to those ambitions yet.
