Ilja Dragunov's WWE return update after almost a year out due to injury

Ilja Dragunov picked up an ACL injury in 2024.

It’s been almost a year since WWE fans last witnessed Ilja Dragunov’s intense, high-octane style inside the squared circle.

The former NXT Champion was drafted to Raw in 2024 and wasted no time making an impact, including a strong showing in the King of the Ring Tournament.

But his momentum was abruptly halted in September 2024 when he suffered a torn ACL during a live event match against Gunther.

Since then, his absence has left a noticeable gap in WWE’s mid-card and upper-tier scene. Speculation about his return has been constant, and now there’s finally an encouraging update.

Ilja Dragunov to make his return soon

Cory Hays of Bodyslam recently shared a GIF of Dragunov with the caption “The time draws near,” later revealing that his name was mentioned internally this week.

The time draws near pic.twitter.com/mRniceCTkg

— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) August 10, 2025

While he stressed that a return isn’t imminent, it’s the clearest indication yet that WWE is beginning to plan for his comeback.

How soon? We’ll see. Not expecting it in the next few weeks

— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) August 10, 2025

“How soon? We’ll see,” Hays noted. “Not expecting it in the next few weeks. I wouldn’t say ‘soon,’ but his name was brought up this week.” This marks the first major sign in months that the Mad Dragon could be re-entering WWE’s creative discussions.

I wouldn’t say “soon” but his name was brought up this week

— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) August 10, 2025

Back in March 2025, reports suggested Dragunov’s recovery was taking longer than initially expected. Early projections had him sidelined for six to nine months, but complications extended his absence.

By spring, he was training at the WWE Performance Center and was seen without a knee brace, signaling progress. Still, the updated timeline had fans bracing for a September 2025 return, pushing his total time away to nearly a full year.

Ilja Dragunov’s injury came up at wrong time

The injury came at a particularly frustrating time for Dragunov. He was finding his footing on Raw and earning praise for his physical, hard-hitting style.

The setback forced WWE to reshuffle plans, and other talents stepped into the spotlight in his absence. For a competitor as driven as Dragunov, the layoff has no doubt fueled an even more intense desire to reclaim his place.

If the internal chatter is anything to go by, the Mad Dragon could be back before the end of the year. The question will be how WWE reintroduces him, whether he immediately resumes his push toward championship contention or has to claw his way back up the card. Either way, his return promises the same brand of brutal, high-energy matches that made him a fan favorite.

Fans eager to see him again can rest assured: once Ilja Dragunov steps back through the ropes, the Raw roster will feel his presence. Whether facing old rivals or new challengers, his comeback is set to be one of WWE’s most anticipated moments of 2025.

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