Ilja Dragunov may be on his way back to WWE television soon, but fans hoping he immediately walks into a war with Gunther probably need to slow down.
During a WrestleVotes Q&A, JoeyVotes was asked about Dragunov’s return plans and whether WWE is lining him up for a feud with Gunther. That is the match plenty of hardcore fans want, but Joey said he has not heard anything lately that points in that direction.
“Matt, I haven’t heard a word about Ilja creatively in weeks, so I’d be surprised if he showed up and picked up a feud with Gunther out of nowhere. I know that’s what people want to see, but I don’t think it’s happening anytime.”
That makes Dragunov’s situation a little more interesting, because it was previously reported that Dragunov was expected back “sooner than later.” So the return may be coming, but that does not mean WWE already has him penciled in for the big Gunther match fans keep fantasy-booking.
Joey then got into the bigger problem with booking Dragunov. He said the Internet would absolutely lose it if Ilja returned and went after Gunther, but WWE may not see that reaction as enough to build a major TV direction around.
“We talk about this all the time. It would pop. The small percentage of people like you and I and asking questions. Matt Ham and in the live chat, the people who watch weekly, just because they’re entertained at wrestling in general and don’t think about it 24/7, they’re not going to care that Ilya Dragunov has shown back up. And that is probably the problem in booking Ilia Dragunov. He is over with the Internet. The Internet is not be all, end all. As Nick Khan has said, they don’t listen to the Internet.”
Dragunov has been off WWE television since WrestleMania season, with his last match coming in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown before WrestleMania 42. Before disappearing, he had been involved in the United States Championship picture and even held the title during his main roster run.
So yes, Dragunov’s return may finally be getting closer, but the Gunther match does not sound like the plan right now. WWE may bring “The Mad Dragon” back soon, but it looks like fans should not expect him to immediately walk into the feud they have been begging for.
Do you think WWE should bring Ilja Dragunov back with a Gunther feud, or should he return in a different direction first? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
