ilja dragunov
Photo Credit: WWE

Ilja Dragunov Reflects On Meeting John Cena And Undertaker

Ilja Dragunov comments on getting to meet two bona fide WWE legends as part of the special NXT episode on October 10, 2023.

Because WWE NXT went head-to-head with AEW Dynamite on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, the show was loaded with legendary names that wouldn’t normally appear on Tuesday night. Both John Cena and The Undertaker were in the NXT Arena on October 10 and they were able to meet and impart wisdom to the WWE Superstars of tomorrow.

Speaking with TV Insider, Ilja Dragunov reflected on advice given to him by John Cena, saying that the “Greatest of All Time” pulled him aside and shared with him the importance of building connections as a WWE Superstar.

“It wasn’t a long conversation. What I really appreciated was him just randomly pulling me aside. This was something that doesn’t happen every day. He spoke about making moments and building a connection. That is what we were talking about. He gives you a whole different perspective, even when you may have the same opinion on things. When you have his approval, then you have the right mindset for this business, and you are on the right path,” said Dragunov.

Ilja Dragunov Feels Like Everything Is Possible

Overall, Dragunov says that getting to meet Legends like John Cena and The Undertaker is a proud moment because it shows that you are now their peers after growing up fans of their work.

“Meeting those legendary performers for the first time. You feel the connection between the present and the past in a very special way. A lot of people felt proud because you watched those guys growing up and now you’re in the same working environment. It gets you feeling in life, you feel everything is possible,” said Dragunov.

Ilja Dragunov will next defend the WWE NXT Championship against former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes on the October 31 episode of WWE NXT, the second night of NXT Halloween Havoc.

SEE MORE: Ilja Dragunov: It’s Easier To Be Good In The Ring, But Very Hard To Be Incomparable

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