Major WWE Champion Suffers Gruesome Injury On SmackDown

WWE star Ilja Dragunov has been on a roll as United States Champion ever since winning the belt from Sami Zayn during his open challenge a few weeks back.

Since taking the title from the former Bloodline member, Dragunov continued the tradition that Sami Zayn brought back with his run and offered an opportunity at his title to several underappreciated talents.

In one of his title defenses tonight, he faced long-time rival Tommaso Ciampa in an extremely hard-hitting and brutal match between the two former NXT Champions.

Ilja Dragunov seemingly suffers broken nose on WWE SmackDown

Ciampa was in control of most of the match as he targeted Ilja’s surgically repaired knee. Both men wrestled an incredibly tiring match and traded some hard-hitting blows.

.@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR isn't giving up yet! 👊@CiampaWWEpic.twitter.com/bt9bqiVEww

— WWE (@WWE) December 13, 2025

In one such blow, it seemed like Dragunov took a huge blow to his nose which left him bloodied in the middle of the match. He was bleeding profoundly from his nose but managed to find the strength to not only continue the match but also emerge victorious.

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