Ilja Dragunov reportedly set to join AEW after WWE contract expired

Ilja Dragunov is reportedly set to join All Elite Wrestling after leaving WWE when his contract expired last month, Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp said on social media.

The 32-year-old spent seven years with WWE after beginning his run on the NXT UK brand and reportedly chose not to re-sign when his contract expired. During his tenure he won the NXT UK Championship, the NXT Championship and the WWE United States Championship, and he built a reputation for a hard-hitting wrestling style and intense performances.

Sapp revealed the news on social media and wrote: "Ilja is coming to AEW, myself and @FightfulSelect have learned.Details on the timetable, and why he hasn't appeared yet, up now for subscribers.Please support original coverage! pic.twitter.com/zwa3qDDDiL"

The report has prompted immediate speculation about when Dragunov might debut for AEW; Sapp indicated that details on the timetable and reasons for his absence are still being worked out and that additional information is available to subscribers.

Sources covering the story suggested the move would allow Dragunov to showcase his distinctive style against a new group of opponents and noted it follows other recent WWE departures reportedly headed to AEW, including former New Day members Kofi (Kofi Kingston) and Austin Creed (Xavier Woods), now known as The New Level.

Sapp confirmed that details surrounding the timetable are still being worked out, leaving the timing of any AEW debut unclear.