Ilja Dragunov Closing On WWE Return

Ilja Dragunov could be back in the ring very soon.

On the June 9 episode of Monday Night Raw, the 2025 edition of the King of the Ring tournament got underway. Unlike previous years, the first round is made up of four Fatal-Four-Way matches with the winners advancing to the semi-finals.

The same format is also being applied to the Queen of the Ring, which is also now underway.

In the opening match of the men’s tournament, Sami Zayn successfully saw off Penta, Bron Breakker, and Dominik Mysterio. In the other match from the Raw bracket, Bronson Reed, Rusev, and Sheamus will be joined by a mystery fourth man—a man who many believe could be a former NXT Champion.

Ilja Dragunov To Return On Raw?

The confirmation of the mystery competitor has sparked speculation that Ilja Dragunov could be the man to step up. The Russian star has been out of action since suffering a torn ACL in a house show match against Gunther back in September, but he’s been training relentlessly for a comeback.

During a recent Q&A, Wrestle Votes noted that the star had been at the Performance Center “about six weeks ago,” but there was no word on whether he got in the ring.

A further update from Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net noted that Dragunov has been rehabbing “multiple times a day” in an effort to get back in the ring as quickly as possible.

The second Raw men’s King of the Ring qualifier is set to take place on June 16.