There’s another update on Ilja Dragunov’s WWE return, and it sounds promising.
The Czar hasn’t been seen on WWE television in months, last competing on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42 in the Andre the Giant Memorial 2026 Battle Royal.
Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez is reporting that Dragunov is expected to be back “sooner than later,” though the report doesn’t provide an exact date for his return.
While he has remained off television, Dragunov has continued training to stay ring-ready. He has regularly attended training sessions at Natalya Neidhart and Tyson Kidd’s Dungeon 2.0. Dragunov and his significant other, Leigh Laurel (formerly known as Jin Tala in NXT/EVOLVE), were reportedly present for training as recently as June 17.
Ilja Dragunov made his return from injury on the October 17, 2025, episode of SmackDown. He defeated Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship in his return bout. He held the title for over two months before losing it to Carmelo Hayes.
Speaking of Zayn, the current Undisputed WWE Champion appeared at the most recent SmackDown taping. That episode will air on tape delay this Friday. WrestleZone has a bunch of spoilers from the show, which fans can check out here.
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