Ilja Dragunov nearing WWE in-ring return has become a major topic among wrestling fans, following reports that he could soon reappear on Monday Night Raw. As WWE advances with its 2025 King of the Ring tournament, anticipation grows that Dragunov may fill the mystery slot in the men’s bracket, signaling his first televised appearance since injury.
Potential Comeback in King of the Ring Tournament
The June 9 episode of Monday Night Raw marked the beginning of the 2025 King of the Ring event, featuring a new twist on the classic tournament. While past formats saw straightforward elimination bouts, this year’s competition opened with four Fatal-Four-Way matches. Each winner advances to the semi-finals, increasing the unpredictability for both competitors and fans. The Queen of the Ring shares this innovative format, running concurrently with the men’s matches.
In the men’s tournament opener, Sami Zayn managed to defeat Penta, Bron Breakker, and Dominik Mysterio, moving forward in the bracket. However, attention shifted to another of the Raw qualifiers, which includes Bronson Reed, Rusev, Sheamus, and the still-unnamed fourth entrant. Rumors are swirling that this position will be filled by a former NXT Champion, leading many to believe Ilja Dragunov is the prime candidate.
Dragunov’s Rehabilitation and Readiness
Ilja Dragunov has been out of action since September, when a torn ACL during a house show match with Gunther forced him onto the sidelines. Since then, Dragunov, who previously carried the NXT Championship, has reportedly dedicated himself to a rigorous rehabilitation routine with the goal of a swift return to WWE competition. The Russian athlete was seen at the Performance Center around six weeks ago, fueling further speculation that he is close to in-ring readiness.
Reports from Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net indicated that Dragunov has been rehabbing “multiple times a day” to get back to wrestling as quickly as possible. While there is no official word that he has participated in full training matches, his persistent recovery effort has not gone unnoticed by those monitoring WWE’s roster developments.
Next Steps for Dragunov and WWE
The identity of the fourth competitor in the Raw bracket is expected to be revealed ahead of, or during, the tournament’s second qualifier, scheduled for June 16. If Dragunov is announced, it would mark his in-ring return after a lengthy hiatus, drawing attention from both the WWE’s core fanbase and casual viewers. The stakes are significant, as a victory could quickly reestablish his presence in WWE and possibly set him on the path to championship contention again.
This anticipated comeback comes as WWE continues to elevate its tournament formats and storylines, with high-profile talents such as Gunther, Sheamus, Rusev, and Bronson Reed featured prominently. As the King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring events progress, fans and observers alike are keenly watching for official updates regarding Ilja Dragunov’s next move.
With so much speculation ahead of the upcoming matches, many are waiting for WWE to confirm the lineup and see if Ilja Dragunov will once again make an impact on Raw after his injury absence.
