Ilja Dragunov: Being On The Same Brand As Gunther Is Destiny

Ilja Dragunov shares his thoughts on getting drafted to WWE Raw.

On the April 29 episode of WWE Raw, Raw selected former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov in the 2024 WWE Draft.

AEW Collision And Rampage Spoilers For 5/18 (Taped On 5/16)

In a Raw Exclusive, Ilja Dragunov was asked to describe how excited he was about getting drafted to WWE Raw.

“I have no words. NXT became my home. These people, a lot of these people became a home away from home for me. But now it’s time for my next chapter, and I gotta make a promise. One promise that I already kept here. To every place I come, I push the place to the next level. That’s what I do. That’s what I did with NXT. This is the same thing I do when I come to Raw, with incomparable passion and incomparable intensity. Trust me, no one is prepared, and no one is safe anymore when ‘The Mad Dragon’ arrives," Dragunov said.

Dragunov was then asked to comment on what it felt like to see the NXT locker room erupt with excitement when he got drafted, and he expressed his gratitude for everyone there, as he reiterated that NXT was his home.

“It’s amazing, I never expected it. I never expected, so far away from all the places I came before, I find home again. They are beautiful people here who exactly pushed me as much as I pushed everything else, and I will be always grateful for that," Dragunov said.

Lastly, Dragunov was asked to share his thoughts on joining the same roster as Gunther, someone who he had an unforgettable rivalry with during his time in NXT UK.

“I think there’s only one word that describes it. Destiny," Dragunov said.

Click here to catch up on our coverage of the April 29 episode of WWE Raw. For a full review, check out the post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.

If you use the above quotes, please credit the original source and link back to Fightful with an h/t for the transcription.

Get exclusive pro wrestling content on Fightful Select, our premium news service! Click here to learn more.