Video: WWE’s Ilja Dragunov out for 6-9 months due to knee injury after match with Gunther | News, results, highlights, stats and gossip

Ilja Dragunov will be sidelined for a long time after suffering an injury at the weekend.

WWE announced on Monday that Dragunov is suspected of suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after Saturday’s match with Gunther. The injury is expected to keep him out of the ring for six to nine months.

After starting his wrestling career in Europe, Dragunov signed with WWE in 2019 to perform for the NXT UK brand. He became the NXT UK Champion in 2021 after defeating Noam Dar in a singles match, which helped him join NXT in 2022.

In September 2023, Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes to win the NXT Championship for the first time in his career. He reigned as champion until April, when he lost to Trick Williams in his final NXT match.

After being promoted to Raw during the 2024 WWE Draft, Dragunov participated in the King of the Ring tournament, where he defeated Ricochet in the first round before losing to Jey Uso in the quarterfinals.

So far in his early WWE career, Dragunov has had some success, but has yet to compete in primetime matches. The 31-year-old is still looking for a spot on WWE’s main roster following the promotion, but a torn ACL certainly won’t help Dragunov.

Now he will start rehabilitation, trying to return to the ring as soon as possible.

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