Ilja Dragunov Leaves WWE After Contract Expires Ilja Dragunov has officially parted ways with WWE following the expiration of his contract, marking the end of a seven-year tenure with the company. The former Men’s United States Champion, who had not appeared on WWE programming since competing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the SmackDown episode preceding WrestleMania 42, is now a free agent. Multiple sources, including PWInsider’s Mike Johnson and Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, confirmed the news, with Dragunov’s name being moved to WWE’s alumni roster page—a clear indication of his departure. Dragunov’s time with WWE began with his debut on the main roster during the episode of Monday Night Raw following WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia. His first match saw him defeat Shinsuke Nakamura, launching him into the 2024 King of the Ring tournament. Over the summer, he competed for the Men’s Intercontinental Championship against Sami Zayn and Bron Breakker before sustaining a torn ACL during a match against Gunther, a former World Heavyweight Champion. The injury sidelined him for over a year, significantly impacting his career trajectory. Dragunov made a triumphant return in October 2024, defeating Sami Zayn to win the Men’s United States Title. He continued to dominate the roster, carrying on the legacy of the United States Open Challenge with high-profile matches against Aleister Black, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and Carmelo Hayes. His reign as United States Champion ended when he lost the title to Carmelo Hayes, after which he gradually faded from the main event scene. Despite competing in the Men’s Royal Rumble Match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dragunov only wrestled four more times afterward, including a rematch with Hayes for the U.S. Title.#wwe #bron_breakker #sami_zayn #ilja_dragunov #shinsuke_nakamura
WWE’s WrestleMania 41 Mistakes to Avoid at WrestleMania 42 WWE’s WrestleMania 41, held in 2025, was marred by several missteps that undermined the event’s credibility and fan engagement. As the company prepares for WrestleMania 42, analysts and insiders have highlighted five critical errors from the previous year that must be avoided to ensure a more polished and impactful show. These mistakes range from overbooked finishes and excessive celebrity interference to confusing character bookings and rushed title changes. One of the most glaring issues was the handling of title changes in multi-person matches. The Intercontinental Title ladder match, which saw Dominik Mysterio pin Finn Balor to win Bron Breakker’s championship, ended with Penta Barajas claiming the belt shortly afterward. This sequence of events was criticized for being rushed and undermining the credibility of both Mysterio and Penta. The abrupt transition not only confused fans but also raised questions about the legitimacy of the title change, especially since Penta had worked tirelessly to earn the championship. WWE officials are now urged to avoid repeating this pattern, as it risks damaging the perception of title legitimacy and the wrestlers involved. Another significant problem was the overreliance on celebrity interference in high-stakes matches. Celebrities such as Travis Scott, Pat McAfee, Lil Nachty, and iShowSpeed were heavily involved in storylines, often overshadowing the wrestlers. For instance, Travis Scott’s interference in the Cena-Rhodes angle led to John Cena’s heel turn, a move that was widely criticized for diluting the narrative and alienating fans. This year’s event already features McAfee and others in the Orton-Rhodes feud, raising concerns about the potential for similar disruptions.#wwe #bron_breakker #dominik_mysterio #wrestlemania_41 #finn_balor
WWE Rumors on Stone Cold, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, McIntyre, Rollins, Lesnar, Breakker & LA Knight WWE is reportedly planning to honor the legacy of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on 3:16 Day, which falls on March 16 and marks the anniversary of Austin’s legendary career. The event, which will take place on the upcoming Raw episode in San Antonio, Texas, is expected to feature a special tribute to the Hall of Famer. While sources indicate WWE is "very hopeful" Austin will appear, there is no confirmation he has been officially invited. The 61-year-old Austin, who last appeared on Raw during the 2020 3:16 Day celebration amid the pandemic, made a triumphant return to in-ring action at WrestleMania 38 in 2023, defeating Kevin Owens in a surprise main event. He also participated in WrestleMania 41 last year, driving an ATV to the ring and announcing attendance figures. His potential return for 3:16 Day could energize the show, given his enduring popularity with fans. Cody Rhodes is set to defend his WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 after a recent storyline involving Drew McIntyre. Rhodes won the title on SmackDown by defeating McIntyre, who had interfered in a previous match at Elimination Chamber. Originally, the WWE Championship match was planned as a Hell in a Cell match between Rhodes and McIntyre, but the interference led to a new storyline. McIntyre will now face Rhodes again at WrestleMania, with the match likely being a singles contest. WWE sources suggest there is no significant backlash within the company over the decision to crown Rhodes as champion before WrestleMania, citing his status as a top draw. The rivalry between Rhodes and McIntyre appears to be concluding, paving the way for a high-stakes matchup against Orton, a former ally and stablemate.#stone_cold_steve_austin #cody_rhodes #randy_orton #drew_mctiire #bron_breakker
