Overview
- Dragunov left WWE after his contract expired in August after being off WWE television since April and chose not to re-sign when negotiations 'didn’t lead anywhere.'
- AEW unveiled Dragunov at WrestleDream in mid-October, restored his original entrance music, and promoted the reveal as a major signing.
- On Wednesday night Dragunov made his in-ring AEW debut on Dynamite and defeated Mike Bailey with his D-Bomb finishing move.
- In interviews this week Dragunov said he left because of creative frustration, described the move as a bet on himself, and downplayed lingering issues such as Brock Lesnar no-selling him.
- AEW’s presentation positions Dragunov as a main-event level performer but the company has not yet announced a long-term program for him as it builds toward Full Gear.