At only 32 years of age, the former United States and NXT champion is one of professional wrestling’s most prodigious in-ring talents — known for his smash-mouth style and unrelenting intensity. Few performers can match the “Mad Dragon’s” pure passion for professional wrestling.
Made famous for his matches with Gunther, then known as WALTER, in NXT UK, Dragunov parlayed his remarkable performances into a brief run on the main roster — where he was, unsurprisingly, grossly mismanaged by WWE’s top brass.
Now, Dragunov has arrived at a new frontier — ready to test his mettle where “the best wrestle.”
Given his youth, size, and unique style; Dragunov will be a seamless addition to AEW’s roster. All opportunities aren’t made equally, though. Some matchups are far more captivating than others.
Here are 10 veritable dream matches for the “Mad Dragon” in All Elite Wrestling.
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Kyle Fletcher
When news broke of Dragunov’s departure, Kyle Fletcher wasted no time opining on the announcement.
2019 pic.twitter.com/s29XgNs6Mr
— “Protostar” Kyle Fletcher (@kylefletcherpro) August 20, 2026
Fletcher shared the squared circle with Dragunov on a number of occasions across the European independents, in both singles competition and as a member of Aussie Open. While both men were in their twenties, Fletcher was more like a babe in the woods — only 21 years old in their last encounter.
In the intervening years, the “Protostar’s” development has been meteoric; cultivating a skill set that belies his size and stature. Given Fletcher’s superior disposition and athletic gifts, it would surely be an interesting reunion.
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“Hangman” Adam Page
“Hangman” Adam Page is a physical marvel, possessing a strata of cruiserweight dexterity and heavyweight stopping power; a rare combination that few wrestlers possess.
Ilja Dragunov is one of the exceptions.
While they’re both dynamic and hard-hitting competitors, their innate dispositions couldn’t be any more dissimilar. The “Mad Dragon’s” raw intensity and competitive fervor would be rendered in stark contrast to Page’s steady hand and championship pedigree.
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Katsuyori Shibata
In the mid-to-late 2010s, Katsuyori Shibata had the allure of Mike Tyson: physically imposing, technically superior, and a master of intimidation.
While Shibata was staking his claim at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Dragunov was rising through the professional ranks. At the time, a clash between Shibata and Dragunov would have been a veritable dream match for fantasy bookers. Today, it would be appointment viewing in a televised main event.
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Kenny Omega
Kenny Omega is considered, by many, to be the best of his generation.
For any pro wrestler, testing their mettle against an athlete of his stature would be a dream scenario.
For a wrestler of Dragunov’s caliber, that opportunity would be explored to its fullest potential.
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Samoa Joe
The “Samoan Submission Machine” is one of the hardest-hitting bastards in professional wrestling history — built in the mold of his idols, Shinya Hashimoto and “Bad News” Brown. In nearly every confrontation of his career, he’s been the Goliath to every would-be challenger’s David.
The “Mad Dragon” would be no exception.
A potential clash between Samoa Joe and Dragunov has the potential to rival the latter’s matches with Gunther. Dragunov would be forced to win a war of attrition, an uphill battle that few wrestlers can achieve under the mat sport’s brightest lights.
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Jon Moxley
Jon Moxley is the ace of All Elite Wrestling. He’s also the Continental Champion, a title that exists to accentuate the gamesmanship of professional wrestling. In his pursuit of the Continental Championship, the “Death Rider” was baptised by fire and reborn as a wrestler’s wrestler. As champion, he’s proven that he can defend his throne without employing his adjutants in the Death Riders. Instead, relying on the scientific application of technique.
For my money, Moxley rarely misses the mark. A match with Dragunov would be no different.
Dragunov has “Death Rider” written all over him. He’s relentless and physical. His dedication to his craft is second to none. However, can the “Mad Dragon” be tamed? That conceit could fuel a program unto itself.
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Konosuke Takeshita
Like Kyle Fletcher or “Hangman” Adam Page, the intrigue here is proximity. There’s only so much rarefied air for wrestlers like Dragunov and Konosuke Takeshita to breathe.
Few wrestlers ply their trade as frequently and fervently as Takeshita. In this calendar year alone, he’s held the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, AEW International Championship, NJPW World Television Championship, and competed in the G1 Climax Tournament.
Dragunov has the potential to match Takeshita’s engine, and even exceed it. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in intangible qualities.
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Kazuchika Okada
Like Gunther or Samoa Joe, Kazuchika Okada is one of professional wrestling’s final bosses. Maybe not in his current incarnation, but the “Rainmaker” of old was one of the sport’s most inviolable forces. On January 4, Hiroshi Tanahashi conjured a vintage performance from that Okada.
Given the proper motivation, Dragunov has the potential to do the same. The “Mad Dragon” has made a career of overcoming impossible odds. In NXT UK, he slayed the colossus that was WALTER. In AEW, he could do the same to the current International Champion.
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Darby Allin
A collision course between Darby Allin and Dragunov is inevitable. Both men are gluttons for punishment, willing to endure inhuman amounts of pain in service of victory. Both men perfectly embody the spirit of David, desperately trying to overcome Goliath. It’s their shared ethos. They are the unstoppable forces, meeting the immovable object.
What happens when two unstoppable forces collide? Who is willing to sacrifice more?
My money’s on Darby death.
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Will Ospreay
Will Ospreay vs. Ilja Dragunov is one of professional wrestling’s last true dream matches. The reason is twofold: (1) the stark juxtaposition of styles and (2) Ospreay is the world’s champion.
In my estimation, no wrestler wears their emotions on their sleeves quite like Ospreay and Dragunov. While their styles are dissimilar, they’re both rooted in dynamic action—spurred on by an indomitable fighting spirit. Passion is their currency.
For all of Ospreay’s failings, his sense of his sense of self is second to none. He wrestles as he lives. Dragunov possesses a similar lust for life. His love for wrestling is evident.
There’s something easily understood in that shared passion; that often creates beautiful art. I’m sure Ospreay and Dragunov would be no exception.
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