Ilja Dragunov (Credits: Fightful)
AEW’s newest signee Ilja Dragunov is eyeing the annual Continental Classic tournament, and he has a very personal reason: unfinished business with the man who won the first one.
Dragunov appeared on the social media show AEW Advance, where Arkady Aura and Lexy Nair asked him about entering the tournament. The former NXT star said he has “a lot of thought” about the Continental Classic, and immediately looked back at its champions: Eddie Kingston (2023), Kazuchika Okada (2024), and Jon Moxley (2025).
Why Ilja Dragunov Wants Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic
The big moment came when Dragunov brought up Kingston, the inaugural champion. “Back in the day — Eddie, I love you. I love your work — but you still called me an actor, and you still said that you are tired of making stars,” Dragunov said. “So, we have some date somewhere and you know that.”
He described the tournament as a test of “strength, resilience” and mental toughness, pointing to how every past winner fought through injuries and setbacks. “I feel like the landscape of AEW is about to change. Why? Because I am here,” he added, noting that while he’s not the one making the decision, it would be “second-hand embarrassing” to deny the fans a run at the tournament.
Ilja Dragunov’s AEW Debut and What’s Next
Dragunov arrived in AEW at the WrestleDream pay-per-view, and Tony Khan himself has detailed how the signing came together. With the Continental Classic fast approaching, his name is now one to watch in the field.
Also Read: Ilja Dragunov vs The Beast Mortos Set for AEW Fright Night Collision and AEW Fright Night Collision Spoilers: Full Results from the October 28 Taping in St. Louis
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.
