Disappointing update on 31-year-old star’s return date amidst months long injury hiatus

Former NXT Champion is likely to miss the majority of 2025 after suffering an injury in mid-2024, putting a question on his WWE status.

Disappointing update on 31-year-old star’s return date amidst months long injury hiatus

WWE star set to miss majority of 2025 (via WWE)

WWE has been ramping up the road to WrestleMania 41, aiming to make it a historic event. However, several talents have been missing from the spotlight this year, including former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov. The Mad Dragon suffered a torn ACL last year and has been off WWE TV ever since. However, a new report has now revealed the expected timeline for his return.

According to PWNReports, Dragunov is expected to return after September this year. While The Mad Dragon has been recovering quickly, WWE is reportedly aiming for a fall comeback. If that timeline holds, the former NXT Champion will end up missing most of 2025. Dragunov suffered the injury last September during a match against Gunther at a WWE Live Event.

YouTube video

Before his injury, WWE had been teasing a potential feud between Gunther and Dragunov last fall. However, the 31-year-old’s setback forced those plans to be scrapped. With The Mad Dragon boasting a massive fan following, this update has left many WWE fans disappointed. That said, only time will tell when Dragunov will officially make his comeback.

Dragunov frequently shares updates on his recovery through photos and videos on social media. What sets him apart is his undeniable presence, which makes him feel like a future star. When discussing WWE’s next generation of talent, many see him as a future World Champion, making his eventual return even more exciting for the company’s future.

Ilja Dragunov blacks out his social media to indicate a potential hidden message

Ilja Dragunov has kept his social media profile blacked out for the past few months, sparking speculation about a possible WWE return. However, there might be more to it than just that. The Mad Dragon could be subtly hinting at something deeper, leaving fans wondering about the true meaning behind his silence.

Ilja Dragunov
Ilja Dragunov on Raw [via- WWE]

The former NXT Champion might be signaling that he’s preparing for his return in complete silence and darkness. His Mad Dragon persona aligns with this mysterious approach, as if he’s embracing his roots—training in solitude, waiting for the right moment to strike. This could be his way of hinting that when he does return, he’ll come back burning with fire and determination.

The 31-year-old has taken a similar approach before, blacking out his social media ahead of his NXT return. If Dragunov is planning a full-force comeback, WWE might have big plans in store—possibly even a title run. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how things unfold as he continues his recovery, taking it one day at a time.

Other WWE returns are also on the horizon following WrestleMania

While several WWE stars are set to miss this year’s WrestleMania, the show after The Show of Shows is shaping up to be stacked. Reports suggest that names like Asuka, Tonga Loa, and others who have been absent for a while are expected to make their return after April.

WWE SmackDown
WWE (via WWE)

According to PWNReports, Tonga Loa, a member of The Bloodline, is expected to make his return in June this year. Loa suffered a major injury during the WarGames match at Survivor Series, which led to him being sidelined. However, it looks like he’ll be reuniting with his brother Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu when he makes his comeback.

Additionally, Asuka is also expected to make her return sooner rather than later, with this summer being a potential timeline for her highly anticipated comeback to WWE. On top of that, names like Becky Lynch are also on the horizon for a return after WrestleMania 41, adding even more excitement to the post-Mania landscape.

Related: Gunther breaks silence with three-word message after destroying ‘BLOODY’ Jimmy Uso in front of his brother on Raw