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
BREAKING: WWE Officially Announces Top Star Has Suffered A Broken Wrist WWE SmackDown 03/27 opened with intense drama as the Stamford-based promotion confirmed that Matt Cardona has sustained a significant wrist injury following his recent clash with Randy Orton. The incident occurred during a heated confrontation, and WWE disclosed that Cardona’s injury will require an extended recovery period, sidelining him from in-ring action for an unspecified duration. Randy Orton, known for his aggressive in-ring style, reacted swiftly to the news. Upon learning of Cardona’s injury, Orton expressed frustration, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the situation. The tension escalated when Cardona unexpectedly entered the scene, catching Orton off guard, and struck him in the head with a microphone. This moment intensified the rivalry between the two superstars, setting the stage for further conflict. Following a dramatic promo by Sami Zayn, Orton took to the microphone to address the situation. He voiced his anger over the circumstances, leveraging his status as a WWE legend to assert dominance. Orton directly challenged Matt Cardona, demanding a match and issuing a warning: if Cardona did not appear in the ring, the consequences would be far worse than the wrist injury. The match between Randy Orton and Matt Cardona has been officially confirmed, marking a significant storyline development. The feud, already charged with animosity, now takes a physical turn as both competitors prepare to face off. The outcome of this encounter is expected to have major implications for their respective careers and the broader WWE storyline. The incident highlights the volatile nature of WWE’s creative direction, where personal rivalries often drive high-stakes matches.#wwe #randy_orton #matt_cardona #sami_zayn #wwe_smackdown_03_27
