Ilja Dragunov Upsets Sami Zayn for the US Title in Emphatic WWE Return After over a Year on SmackDown

Despite sporting a knee brace, a returning Ilja Dragunov shocked the WWE Universe by becoming the new US Champion on SmackDown.

Ilja Dragunov Upsets Sami Zayn for the US Title in Emphatic WWE Return After over a Year on SmackDown

Ilja Dragunov beats Sami Zayn for US title [via- WWE]

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Having injured his right knee during a live event in Columbus last year, Ilja Dragunov made it back to WWE programming on this week’s SmackDown. And that’s not it. He has also become the brand-new United States Champion. But how did everything unfold? The Mad Dragon’s music sent the San Jose crowd into a frenzy as he answered the Sami Zayn Open Challenge for the US title.

The Miz had initially answered the call, but Carmelo Hayes ambushed him the same way ‘A-Lister’ did to his former tag team partner a couple of weeks ago. As Miz and Melo’s brawl spilled to the backstage area, Zayn was still waiting for someone to actually come out.

That’s when a bulked-up Dragunov emerged to a loud reaction. The 32-year-old had also gotten a new tattoo around his neck extending down to the chest area. As one would expect from an Ilja Dragunov match, it was intense and hard-hitting.

The defending champion Sami Zayn also upped the ante. During the closing moments, as the former ‘Honorary Uce’ was lining Dragunov up for a second Helluva Kick, Solo Sikoa was spotted standing at the entrance. It distracted Zayn momentarily, which was enough for the ‘Mad Dragon’ to recuperate and clobber him with a Torpedo Moskau followed by the H-Bomb.

A battered Dragunov covered Zayn for the three count, and the latter couldn’t kick out. The fans in attendance erupted in ecstasy as the ‘Unbesiegbar’ had done the unthinkable. He ousted a vet in Zayn, who was on a roll since winning the US title.

The Great Liberator’s reign came to an unforeseen halt at the 49-day mark with 6 successful title defenses in the bag. The aftermath of that bout saw Sikoa-led MFTs take out both Zayn and Dragunov.

Ilja Dragunov reacts after winning the US title on SmackDown

After stunning a well-accomplished Sami Zayn for the US title upon his WWE return after a year, Ilja Dragunov has finally broken the silence. Taking to X, the Russian-born German wrestler posted a picture of himself holding that US title belt and wrote, “Pain shall entertain you.” Now that things are back on track for Dragunov in the most cathartic of ways, he could put an end to the misery behind.

Ilja Dragunov celebrating with the US title
Ilja Dragunov celebrating with the US title [via- WWE]

When he tore his ACL in late September 2024, the reported time period for him to make a comeback was between 6 and 9 months. But it actually took him over a year. One might argue that WWE was just waiting for the right moment to insert Dragunov back into the current storylines across the board. Winning the US title in his return night isn’t something to sleep on.

However, WWE must ensure featuring the ‘Mad Dragon’ on a frequent basis and make him continue holding open challenges the same way Zayn was doing. Keeping the US title belt in play and as one of the prime features of the blue brand will not only elevate the mid-card division on SmackDown but also help Dragunov acclimatize to the main roster crowds.

Before his knee injury, the former NXT Champion was about to enter a feud with the Judgment Day. It couldn’t last long, as ‘The Czar’ buckled his knee while wrestling his arch-nemesis Gunther. Dragunov has long been primed to renew his rivalry with the Austrian on the main roster after the two brutalized each other on numerous occasions, both in NXT and NXT UK.

They were going back-to-back during live events, instilling a hope within the fans that their feud was inevitable. But a hapless Dragunov hit rock bottom with the injury setback and had to be on the sidelines for 12.5 months.

As of now, while the ‘Mad Dragon’ has re-emerged with authority, ‘The Ring General’ is yet to show up since losing the world title at SummerSlam. Speaking of their fancied rivalry, it might be a while before the two rivals get to run it back.

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