10 New Directions For WWE After The 2024 Draft

7. Ilja Dragunov Tearing Up Raw

King GUNTHER WWE
WWE.com

The niche audience who religiously watches NXT has been mentioned already, but it's worth bringing up again to illustrate this point. More casual fans who ditch the third brand and only watch Raw/SmackDown are about to have their minds blown by one of the best all-rounders in the biz right now.

Ilja Dragunov.

This former NXT Champ mixes superior in-ring skills that'd make AEW's finest blush with character sensibilities that'd also make Tony Khan take notes. He started coming into his own on the mic as a character shortly before being called up, so it'll be class to see Ilja continue that work on the main roster.

There's just no way he flops. Not this guy. Dragunov's matches are far too exciting to leave him struggling, and the more reps he gets on the mic the better. Don't be shocked if Ilja is the next big breakout star to successfully trade NXT's small scale spotlight for WWE's brightest lights.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.