Kyle Fletcher is excited about the possibility of wrestling Ilja Dragunov again, and one fan learned pretty quickly that Fletcher wasn’t interested in turning that excitement into another AEW-versus-WWE argument.
Fletcher got people talking when he posted “I LOVE J AEW” on Twitter. Reading the first letter of each word spells “ILJA,” which immediately stood out with Dragunov reportedly set to join AEW barring unforeseen circumstances.
One fan on Twitter wasn’t impressed. He argued that AEW wrestlers spend too much time celebrating former WWE talent instead of showing the same enthusiasm for people already on the roster.
“See, this right here is what’s sad. AEW has an entire roster of men and women that the talent can be gassing up, but they choose to froth at the mouth over the newest WWE departure instead. We had MJF tweeting about the New Day, now Kyle Fletcher is tweeting about Ilja Dragunov.”
Fletcher didn’t exactly prepare a diplomatic response: “Oh f*** off colin.” That didn’t end it. The fan asked whether he was actually wrong and suggested the same thing would happen if names such as Sheamus or Kairi Sane left WWE.
“Am I wrong? I’m sure the tweets about Sheamus will go out next, then Kairi Sane, then whoever else leaves WWE next year.”
That’s when Fletcher explained why Dragunov’s situation meant something to him personally. He said Dragunov is an old friend he hasn’t seen in years, and the possibility of finally wrestling him again is something he genuinely wants to enjoy.
“So what? I love professional wrestling and am excited at the prospect of wrestling one of my friends I haven’t seen in years. Someone who has been underappreciated for years, will finally have the chance to spread his wings and create the professional wrestling he loves. Let people be excited and live with a childlike sense of wonder without feeling the need to poopoo all over it, Colin”
The fan kept going, pointing to Megan Bayne and Bobby Lashley as examples of AEW talent he believes don’t receive the same attention. He also brought up MJF’s own line about Tony Khan bringing in the latest former WWE wrestler.
“AEW has talent like Megan Bayne and Bobby Lashley, just to name a couple, who are heavy hitters and none of them get the attention that the newest WWE departure gets. Ilja Dragunov will be awesome in AEW, no doubt about it, I’d just like to see the men and women that have been in AEW for a while get all this love. MJF literally said it in a promo ‘Tony Khan brings in the newest ex WWE guy.’ AEW should be All Elite Wrestling and not All Ex WWE.”
Fletcher had heard enough as he made it clear the fan was either an idiot or choosing to act like one for engagement and ultimately blocked him.
“Well thanks for the fun Colin but now I know you’re either an idiot or choosing to act like one for engagement In either case, have a nice life. Blocked.”
The exchange comes with Dragunov’s future suddenly looking much clearer. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that Dragunov is expected to join AEW, although a signed contract has not yet been confirmed.
“We have not confirmed that Ilja has put pen to paper, but he is set to join AEW barring unforeseen circumstances.”
Dragunov became a free agent after leaving WWE when the two sides couldn’t reach terms on a new deal. Now Fletcher is already thinking about getting back in the ring with his old friend, and apparently anyone trying to ruin that excitement might end up joining Colin on the block list.
Would you want Kyle Fletcher to be one of Ilja Dragunov’s first opponents if Dragunov officially joins AEW? Let us know in the comments.
