4 hours ago
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Ilja Dragunov might be getting closer to stepping back into a WWE ring.
The former NXT Champion, who suffered a torn ACL in September 2024, has been out of action for the past four months, but it looks like his return could be happening sooner rather than later.
According to Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan, Dragunov has been spotted at the WWE Performance Center, actively training for his in-ring return. Sources told Brennan that this wasn’t just rehab—Dragunov was going through traditional training and was not wearing any support gear for his injury, a strong sign that he’s progressing well.
The injury came at a tough time for Dragunov, as he was starting to build momentum on the main roster. Initially, his recovery was estimated at six to nine months, but with him already back in the ring training, there’s speculation that he could return ahead of schedule.
As of now, there’s no word on WWE’s creative plans for his return, but with him putting in work at the Performance Center, it may not be long before he makes his presence felt again.
Should Dragunov pick up where he left off, or would you like to see him come back with a fresh direction? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
