Ilja Dragunov Breaks Silence On Infamous Brock Lesnar Incident (WWE News)

With some wrestling fans taking umbrage at the interaction between Ilja Dragunov and Brock Lesnar at this year's Royal Rumble, the Mad Dragon himself discussed that matter during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show yesterday.

That interaction saw Dragunov and Lesnar briefly face off in the men's Rumble match, where Ilja landed several chops on Brock, which the Beast no-sold before screaming and dumping the former NXT Champion and WWE United States Champion over the top rope - sparking quite the reaction online from fans who thought this was disrespectful to Dragunov.

In his 40-minute chat with Ariel Helwani, that Lesnar 'incident' came up at around the 16-minute mark, and the latest AEW signee didn't seem as bothered by that Brock interaction as those concerned fans.

When asked about whether he felt disrespected by that Royal Rumble moment, Dragunov said:

"First of all, that's a shoutout to all the fans that are feeling with me and are passionate with me, and get angry for me. I love all of you guys, and you've been sticking around with me forever, so I appreciate your concern. But I said it before, honestly, if you really understand the persona that I have been in the ring for the most part of the time, I've been facing monsters, you know? And at the end of the day, you can't change certain things. You have a person like Brock Lesnar standing in front of you. Most people would run away as soon as that happens - that's simply what would happen - but me as a persona, me as Ilja Dragunov, who is tough mentally and physically, I think for what I was given, and how this whole situation occurred, I did the best what I could do about it, and I can't change anything about it. But my best career moments were made by my vulnerability. I wasn't becoming a name by being the person who dominates at all times; I became a name on moments where I've gotten beaten down, like beaten down badly. I don't know how good the camera angle is, but my nose is actually making a right turn because it has been broken a few times, but it's always the way how I fought back and how I recovered from those moments, because these moments make great stories. So, I don't see it as a defeat. I'm glad that people are upset for me, and maybe it could've worked out a different way. I don't know it today, but I can tell you so much that I didn't spare a second or third thought about it."

Having opted to depart WWE earlier this year, Ilja Dragunov made his AEW debut at WrestleDream this past weekend, which was immediately followed by the announcement that the hugely talented 33-year-old is now officially #AllElite and that he'll be making his AEW in-ring debut on tonight's Dynamite.

While this Ariel Helwani interview is the first time Dragunov has had the chance to discuss that Royal Rumble interaction in a long-form setting, the topic did previously come up in a short interview Ilja did for Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez back in April.

Ilja Dragunov speaks on Brock Lesnar's reaction to his chops during the Royal Rumble.

Full Interview on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez is available now. pic.twitter.com/dbfqzgBfhI

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— Adrian Hernandez (@UnlikelyAdrian) April 29, 2026

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with an H/T to WhatCulture Wrestling.