Ilja Dragunov Returns & Wins Championship On WWE SmackDown

Ilja Dragunov made his return to WWE on tonight’s October 17 episode of SmackDown after over a year out of action.

In September 2024, Dragunov suffered an injury during an untelevised match against GUNTHER, abruptly ruling him out of action.

Tonight’s SmackDown played host to his return, as he answered the weekly United States Championship open challenge of Sami Zayn.

It was actually The Miz who came out to answer Zayn’s challenge first, but Carmelo Hayes came out and ambushed Miz so he couldn’t compete.

Miz had done the same thing to Hayes a few weeks ago after Hayes broke up their Melo Don’t Miz tag team.

Dragunov then made his entrance, sporting a new look with no facial hair, a new chest & neck tattoo, and a knee brace due to his injury.

Zayn and Dragunov had a hard-hitting title match that hit something of a roadblock when Solo Sikoa came out and distracted Zayn.

The distraction was enough for Dragunov, who seemingly didn’t know it had happened, to capitalize and pick up the win, becoming the new WWE United States Champion.

After the match, Dragunov and Zayn attempted to share a moment of respect, but they were attacked by Sikoa and his MFTs.

Rey Fenix tried to make a save but he was ambushed too, before the MFTs were finally cut off by the Wyatt Sicks, leading to the MFTs retreating out of the ring.