Former WWE Star Teases Violent Match With Ilja Dragunov After Recent Exit
Killer Kross has teased a potential violent showdown with Ilja Dragunov following the Mad Dragon’s recent departure from WWE.
Dragunov’s WWE contract reportedly expired on August 20, 2026, with PWInsider reporting that he had decided to leave the promotion. WWE subsequently moved Dragunov’s profile to the alumni section of its official website.
Following the news, The Mark Hoke Show suggested that Dragunov should join Major League Wrestling rather than AEW.
“Everyone is saying Ilya Dragunov should go to AEW. I disagree. He should go to @MLW.”
Kross, who currently holds the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, responded to the post by teasing a potential match with Dragunov.
“If this match happens anywhere, I might have to shave my head for this one. #UltraViolenceMode”
Kross previously revealed that he was given just 24 hours to accept WWE’s new contract offer in 2025. The offer did not include a new deal for Scarlett, which ultimately played a role in his decision to leave the company.
Kross has since returned to the independent circuit.
WWE Felt Ilja Dragunov Wasn’t a ‘Numbers Mover’ for Money He Wanted — Report
Dave Meltzer recently reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that contract negotiations played a role in Dragunov’s decision to part ways with WWE.
Meltzer noted that Dragunov previously had a favorable deal with WWE that was approaching its expiration. However, the two sides were reportedly “far enough apart” during negotiations for a new agreement that WWE stopped using Dragunov on television after April.
Dragunov last wrestled on WWE television on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, where he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
The former NXT Champion had made a successful return from injury in 2025, immediately winning the United States Championship in his comeback match. However, his momentum appeared to slow after he was eliminated by Brock Lesnar during the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble.
READ MORE: Amid Ilja Dragunov Update, More WWE & AEW Stars To Become Free Agents — Report
The post Former WWE Star Teases Violent Match With Ilja Dragunov After Recent Exit appeared first on Wrestlezone.
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