WWE has 'major plans' for Ilja Dragunov upon main roster debut: Report

Ilja Dragunov is one of the most dominant and powerful strikers on the WWE’s developmental brand NXT. He has been having an incredible run with NXT UK & NXT, where he is a former NXT UK Champion & the current NXT Champion. Dragunov is so dominant in the ring, and has done some unthinkable things in the company.

He was the first one to dethrone Walter (now Gunther) to become the NXT UK Champion. After switching to the NXT mainline, he soon reached the top to become the NXT Champion, by dethroning Carmelo Hayes. As most wonder, when he will be making his debut in the WWE main roster, a backstage update on the plans for his main roster debut has been released.

Ilja Dragunov main roster status

Corey Brennan of Fightful Select reported that WWE has no immediate plans for Ilja Dragunov to call up for the main roster, however he is expected to make the move after his NXT Championship loss. WWE is looking to make his travels planned and considers him as a Gunther level prospect.

Fightful Select’s report,

“There are no immediate plans to call Dragunov up to the main roster, but he’s expected to go up once he loses the NXT Championship.”

“Rumors of Ilja’s family in Germany being a reason for the apparent hold-up on his career progression are unfounded; WWE is willing to accommodate his trips to visit family. As for NXT Europe, he’s been considered past that point since moving over from the UK to mainline NXT.”

“Internally, WWE sees Ilja as a prospect on the level of GUNTHER, planning to push him in a similar way once he hits the main roster.”

“In NXT Ilja has earned a reputation of needing very little direction from the producers – something no other NXT talent can boast. In general, he’s very well-liked for being easy to work with and elevating everyone he steps into the ring with.”

Ilja Dragunov has been the NXT Champion for 180+ days and he is all set to defend his NXT Championship against Tony D’Angelo at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, 2024 in the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Will Ilja Dragunov retain or will lose to D’Angelo and make his WWE main roster debut on the WrestleMania fall out shows? Comment your thoughts.

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