Ilja Dragunov makes surprise Raw debut, declares for WWE Draft

Originally posted on F4WOnline.com | By Joseph Currier | Last updated 4/8/24

The Raw after WrestleMania 40 included a surprise appearance by NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov.

Dragunov was in action on Monday night, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. It was revealed that Dragunov will be joining the WWE main roster. He's declared for the WWE Draft that's taking place at the end of this month.

Welcome to #WWERaw!#WWENXT Champion @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR has arrived! pic.twitter.com/XuQOQ0kA19
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024

This was Dragunov's Raw debut and his first time ever wrestling on the main roster. When Nakamura went for a Kinshasa near the end of the match, Dragunov countered with a kick to the face. He then hit a powerbomb, an H-Bomb, and Torpedo Moscow to get the victory.

#WWENXT Champion @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR arrives on #WWERaw in a big way! pic.twitter.com/ffLptffLtG
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2024

At NXT Stand & Deliver this past Saturday, Dragunov retained his NXT Championship against Tony D'Angelo. Dragunov has held the title since September 2023.

Dragunov, who is originally from Russia, is a former NXT United Kingdom Champion. He's been one of Gunther's top rivals with the two having highly praised matches against each other both in WWE and outside of it.

The 2024 WWE Draft will begin on the April 26 episode of SmackDown and end on the April 29 episode of Raw.

This article first appeared on F4WOnline.com and was syndicated with permission.

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