Ilja Dragunov Reveals Why His Son Has Never Seen Him Wrestle

Ilja Dragunov recently opened up about how his family views his wrestling career and why his young son has never watched him perform in the ring.

Dragunov, who has been making waves in WWE since his debut in 2019 with the NXT UK brand, spoke candidly in an interview with Metro about his family’s perspective on his unique and brutal in-ring style.

“I think my family hates my wrestling style,” Dragunov admitted. “Literally, until this day, my son didn’t see one match of me. He’s 7, and he’s going to turn 8 this year.”

When asked why his son has yet to see him wrestle, Dragunov explained, “So, because I know what I do in that ring, and I know how I do that, it would be a bit too much for a 7-year-old to understand. He’s going to need a bit more time until we get to that point.”

Dragunov’s wrestling style is known for its intensity and physicality, traits that have made him a standout performer in WWE. Despite his family’s reservations, Dragunov doesn’t dwell on their opinions, emphasizing that his approach to wrestling is essential for his success in the business. “If I didn’t do what I do, I would have no place in this business,” he stated.

Since joining WWE, Dragunov has achieved significant milestones, including holding both the NXT United Kingdom Championship and the NXT Championship. His rivalry with GUNTHER (formerly known as WALTER) has been particularly noteworthy, with the two delivering some of the most memorable and brutal matches in recent WWE history.

Fans have been eager to see Dragunov and GUNTHER clash on the main roster, and footage of a recent house show match between the two, held on August 25, 2024, has only heightened that anticipation. The duo first faced off in WWE singles action on the October 29, 2020, edition of NXT UK, where GUNTHER defeated Dragunov to retain his NXT UK Championship. That match was so well-received that WWE named it the eighth best match of the year, surpassing numerous main roster bouts.

As Dragunov continues to make his mark in WWE, fans and peers alike are eager to see what the future holds for the Russian-born Superstar, both in terms of his in-ring achievements and his journey with his family as they eventually come to see him in action.

What are your thoughts on Ilja Dragunov’s decision to keep his son from watching his matches, and how do you think this might affect their relationship in the future? Let us know in the comment section below.