Top WWE Stable To Add Surprising New Member?

One of WWE's top factions could be about to get its ranks bolstered by...

by Andy H Murray
Imperium GUNTHER Ludwig Kaiser Giovanni Vinci
WWE.com

NXT's Ilja Dragunov could be in-line for a call-up to WWE's main roster - potentially as the newest member of Imperium.

This is according to WRKD Wrestling. The account reports that Dragunov's NXT Battleground match with Dijak, as well as Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria, came in for praise following Sunday's premium live event. Talk of Dragunov heading to Raw or SmackDown persists, potentially after SmackDown, with an Imperium role mooted.

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Per WRKD:-

Adding to @PWInsidercom ’s report about #WWENXT: Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkaria and Ilja Dragunov vs. Dijak were praised in particular backstage. There is still talk of possibly calling up Druganov following Summerslam, potentially joining Imperium.

Ilja defeated Dijak in a Last Man Standing match at NXT Battleground, drawing effusive praise for his role in an intense, hard-hitting contest. The Russian-born German wrestler has been with WWE since February 2019, first making his home on NXT UK before moving to the United States permanently in August 2021, having reigned as United Kingdom Champion.

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Dragunov's most notable career rival is current Imperium leader GUNTHER, whom he has warred with inside WWE and out. This is what makes him potentially linking up with the stable so interesting.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.