WWE's Booker T Comments On Ilja Dragunov's Arrival To AEW

Following his departure from WWE, Ilja Dragunov became All Elite, with his official AEW debut emerging in the midst of WrestleDream on October 17. Since then, he's competed in a pair of matches under the AEW banner, one of which pitted him against the high-flying "Speedball" Mike Bailey.

On a recent episode of the "Hall of Fame" podcast, "WWE NXT" commentator Booker T, who called many of Dragunov's developmental performances in WWE, weighed in on his arrival to AEW.

"He's a great entertainer, great wrestler," Booker said. "I think he'll fit in over there fairly well just because he's one of the guys that can really make you feel when you watch him perform from the entrance. But that's where it's going to be a test for someone like Ilja because he's got to be able to go out there and have those kind of matches on a regular occasion. Every time you see him, that's what you're going to be expecting is that type of a match."

Dragunov departed from WWE after turning down a contract extension offer and letting his existing deal expire. The former NXT and United States Champion hadn't been on WWE programming since the April 17 edition of "WWE SmackDown," when he and other stars competed in the 2026 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal ultimately won by Royce Keys (formerly AEW's Powerhouse Hobbs).

"I wish him all the luck in the world because I always thought that dude was a major talent, I had so much fun calling his matches in NXT," Booker added. "I used to love talking about him coming out to play his greatest symphony."

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Hall of Fame" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.