This year’s edition of Night of Champions will feature the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, with the winners going on to have a match for their brand’s world championship at SummerSlam. One interesting name connected to the King of the Ring bracket is Ilja Dragunov, whose possible return has sparked speculation across social media. As of this writing, the winners will either face Gunther or John Cena and Iyo Sky or Tiffany Stratton.
On Monday, June 9, the bracket for the entire tournament was unveiled, with every spot filled except for one. The June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw will feature a fatal four-way match between Bronson Reed, Rusev, Sheamus, and a mystery opponent. When that was pointed out, many people started speculating on who could fill the fourth spot.
Given the timing and past run-ins with Gunther, it makes sense for Ilja Dragunov to make his return next Monday.
Ilja Dragunov’s Return Timeline Lines Up with Monday’s Tease
If you’ve watched NXT UK or NXT, you know who Ilja Dragunov is. A former NXT and NXT UK Champion, he has shown everyone that he can be menacing and powerful in the ring. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown that on the main roster because he’s been out with a torn ACL.
Happening at a live event in late September, it was estimated that it would take six to nine months to fully heal. It’s been nearly nine months since then, so the timing of Monday’s announcement would make sense.
In addition, they announced the return of Asuka on the women’s side of the bracket. She also has been out since last year with an injury. Announcing her return but not his signifies that WWE really wants to keep the return under wraps.
If he walks out next Monday, everyone is going to be very surprised in the best way.
His Rivalry with Gunther Will Be Extended to the Main Roster
One of the most memorable rivalries in NXT UK was between Gunther, then named Walter, and Ilja Dragunov. These two men had several clashes on the brand, showcasing their immense skill and technical ability in the ring.
Their NXT UK title matches on NXT UK TV and at NXT: TakeOver 36 were received with widespread acclaim across the whole wrestling world. In fact, their rivalry didn’t start there. Back when they both worked for German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling, they clashed several times.
Dragunov won the 16 Carat Gold Tournament in 2017 by beating Walter. The two also faced each other for the wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship the next year. It’s obvious the two have tremendous chemistry with each other, given their many matches against each other.
If Dragunov returns and runs the ladder, their iconic rivalry will continue in front of thousands of people at SummerSlam.
All Signs are Pointing to a Dragunov Return
The Men’s King of the Ring tournament is packed with heavy hitters. Sixteen men are competing in four fatal four-way matches, with every man revealed except for one. Given the timeline of his injury and his intense rivalry going back nearly a decade with the current World Heavyweight Champion, it would make sense that Ilja Dragunov will be the final entrant into the tournament.
It would be a great opportunity to reintroduce Dragunov to the main roster audience after being out for nearly nine months with a torn ACL. If he wins at Night of Champions, he’ll be established as a legitimate top star.
Getting that immediate push could help him bring that NXT and NXT UK dominance to Monday Night Raw. Ilja Dragunov returning for the King of the Ring tournament would be a great move for his main roster career.
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