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The Judgment Day Member Answers Ilja Dragunov’s Open Challenge On WWE SmackDown

By Faiz Ahmed • Published Nov 21, 2025 20:45 EST
WWE Ilja Dragunov

WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov has had an extremely entertaining run with the title. He won the championship from Sami Zayn on his first night back after spending a year on the sidelines due to an ACL injury.

Sami Zayn brought back the United States Open Challenge during his short but successful run with the title, and Dragunov has continued from where Zayn left off after he won the title. The 32-year-old has held his own Open Challenges every week.

Till now, Ilja has faced various wrestlers during his run and has had some memorable matches with Nathan Frazer, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black and Axiom. Tonight, he faced another wrestler making for a new and fresh matchup.

JD McDonagh challeged unsuccessfully for the WWE United States Championship

Finn Balor and JD McDonagh are both on tonight’s edition of WWE SmackDown with Finn competing in the Last Time is Now tournament. McDonagh answered Ilja’s challenge and the two put on an amazing match for the fans in attendance.

The Judgment Day member went close to winning the title and drew a two-count from the referee on multiple occassions, especially after he performed his trademark moonsault from the top rope.

However, the Unbesiegbar proved to a bit too much for JD and ultimately retained his title after hitting a powerbomb on him, which he then followed it up with an H-bomb.

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