Ilja Dragunov Explains Why AEW's Stacked Roster Doesn't Worry Him

Ilja Dragunov Addresses AEW Roster Depth Ahead Of In-Ring Debut

Ilja Dragunov has made it clear that he harbors no concerns about navigating All Elite Wrestling’s competitive landscape as he prepares to make his official in-ring debut for the promotion.

Appearing on TMZ’s Inside The Ring ahead of his scheduled match, the former WWE Superstar reflected on his decision to exit WWE in September and explained why his distinct presentation will ensure he remains a standout figure on AEW programming. Dragunov stated that the sheer size and talent level of the roster never made him hesitate when deciding to make the leap:

I didn’t consider how stacked the roster is because it’s a fear I don’t have. I was always betting on myself. I bet on myself when I left WWE. I’m betting on myself still, and I’m betting on what my gut is telling me and the way the people, the company introduced me, I think it speaks for itself that I stick out from all the rest on that roster.

Expanding on his wrestling philosophy, Dragunov emphasized that individuality is the key to longevity, warning that performers who conform to prevailing trends risk losing their identity:

People who stick out and are not like anybody else, you kind of put the objective on them and only if you are like everybody else or try to be like everybody else — which is also like an unfortunate thing happening nowadays, unfortunately — then you get overlooked. But, I haven’t been overlooked once in my 14 years of career.

Dragunov initially made his unexpected AEW arrival at WrestleDream on October 17. He steps into the ring for his first official AEW match tonight, October 21, on AEW Dynamite, where he faces “Speedball” Mike Bailey.