Early Life and Career Beginnings
Ilja Dragunov's birth name is Ilja Rukober.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's birth name is indeed Ilja Rukober, as documented in his career information.
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Ilja Dragunov was born in Berlin, Germany.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov was born in Moscow, Russia, although he later relocated to Germany.
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Ilja Dragunov is billed at a height of 6 ft 1 in (185 cm).
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov is billed at a height of 5 ft 10 in (178 cm), not 6 ft 1 in.
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Axel Tischer, also known as Alexander Wolfe in WWE, was one of Ilja Dragunov's trainers.
Explanation: Axel Tischer, who performed as Alexander Wolfe in WWE, is indeed listed as one of Ilja Dragunov's professional wrestling trainers.
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Ilja Dragunov made his professional wrestling debut in 2019.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's professional wrestling debut occurred earlier, on April 21, 2012, not in 2019.
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Ilja Dragunov was born in Germany and later moved to Russia.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov was born in Moscow, Russia, and subsequently moved to Germany. The statement reverses this sequence.
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Before wrestling, Ilja Dragunov worked at a gas station.
Explanation: Prior to his professional wrestling career, Ilja Dragunov held various jobs, including employment at a gas station.
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Ilja Dragunov's initial WWE tryout in November 2013 resulted in him signing a contract immediately.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's initial WWE tryout in November 2013 did not result in an immediate contract; he later signed in February 2019 after a subsequent tryout.
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What is Ilja Dragunov's birth name?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's birth name is Ilja Rukober.
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Where was Ilja Dragunov born?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov was born in Moscow, Russia.
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What is Ilja Dragunov's billed weight?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov is billed at a weight of 210 lb (95 kg).
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Who were Ilja Dragunov's professional wrestling trainers?
Answer: Axel Tischer and Rick Baxxter
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's professional wrestling trainers included Axel Tischer (also known as Alexander Wolfe) and Rick Baxxter.
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When did Ilja Dragunov make his professional wrestling debut?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov made his professional wrestling debut on April 21, 2012.
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How did Ilja Dragunov's early life in Germany begin?
Answer: He moved to Berlin at age five with his mother, initially not speaking German.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's early life in Germany commenced when he migrated to Berlin with his mother at age five, facing the challenge of not initially speaking German.
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NXT UK and NXT Championship Reigns
Ilja Dragunov officially signed with WWE in early 2018.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov officially signed with WWE on February 27, 2019, not in early 2018.
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Ilja Dragunov has won the NXT United Kingdom Championship and the NXT Championship.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov has achieved significant championship success, holding both the NXT United Kingdom Championship and the NXT Championship.
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Ilja Dragunov debuted in NXT UK by defeating Jack Starz.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov made his official debut on NXT UK by defeating Jack Starz on the May 15, 2019 episode.
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Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) was responsible for Ilja Dragunov's first loss in NXT UK.
Explanation: Kassius Ohno, also known as Chris Hero, was the wrestler who ended Ilja Dragunov's initial undefeated streak in NXT UK.
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Ilja Dragunov answered Cesaro's challenge at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov answered Cesaro's challenge at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff, not Blackpool.
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Ilja Dragunov defeated Walter (Gunther) to win the NXT United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov defeated Walter to win the NXT United Kingdom Championship at NXT TakeOver 36, not NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
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Ilja Dragunov's NXT United Kingdom Championship reign lasted over a year.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's NXT United Kingdom Championship reign lasted 319 days (recognized by WWE as 346 days), which is less than a full year.
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Ilja Dragunov won the NXT Championship for the first time at NXT No Mercy in 2023 by defeating Carmelo Hayes.
Explanation: At NXT No Mercy in 2023, Ilja Dragunov achieved a significant milestone by defeating Carmelo Hayes to capture the NXT Championship for the first time.
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In a match on the 200th episode of NXT UK, the loser of the bout between Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin was forced to leave NXT UK.
Explanation: The stipulation for the NXT UK Championship match between Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin on the 200th episode was that the loser would be forced to depart NXT UK (kayfabe).
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Ilja Dragunov defeated Bron Breakker in July 2023 to earn an NXT Championship match.
Explanation: In July 2023, Ilja Dragunov secured a victory over Bron Breakker, which earned him a subsequent opportunity to challenge for the NXT Championship.
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The stipulation for Ilja Dragunov's NXT Championship match against Trick Williams at Spring Breakin' 2024 was that Dragunov would have to leave NXT if he lost.
Explanation: The stipulation at Spring Breakin' 2024 stated that Trick Williams would have to leave NXT if he lost, not Ilja Dragunov.
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Ilja Dragunov's NXT Championship reign lasted 206 days.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's reign as NXT Champion spanned a duration of 206 days.
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Ilja Dragunov competed in a triple threat match for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc 2022.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov participated in a triple threat match for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc 2022, facing Bron Breakker and JD McDonagh.
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Ilja Dragunov participated in a fatal five-way match for the NXT North American Championship at Stand & Deliver on April 1, 2023.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov was a participant in the fatal five-way match for the NXT North American Championship at Stand & Deliver on April 1, 2023.
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After successfully defending his NXT Championship against Carmelo Hayes at Halloween Havoc (2023), Ilja Dragunov was attacked by Bron Breakker.
Explanation: Following his NXT Championship defense against Carmelo Hayes at Halloween Havoc (2023), Ilja Dragunov was attacked by Baron Corbin, not Bron Breakker.
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Ilja Dragunov lost the NXT Championship to Trick Williams at NXT Vengeance Day (2024).
Explanation: At NXT Vengeance Day (2024), Ilja Dragunov successfully retained his NXT Championship against Trick Williams, rather than losing it.
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Ilja Dragunov's final match in NXT was against Trick Williams at Week 1 of Spring Breakin' on April 23, 2024.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's concluding match within NXT occurred on April 23, 2024, at Spring Breakin' Week 1, where he faced Trick Williams.
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When did Ilja Dragunov officially sign with WWE?
Answer: February 27, 2019
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov officially signed with WWE on February 27, 2019.
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What championship did Ilja Dragunov win at NXT TakeOver 36?
Answer: NXT United Kingdom Championship
Explanation: At NXT TakeOver 36, Ilja Dragunov defeated Walter to win the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
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Who ended Ilja Dragunov's initial undefeated streak in NXT UK?
Answer: Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero)
Explanation: Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) was responsible for ending Ilja Dragunov's initial undefeated streak in NXT UK.
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What was the duration of Ilja Dragunov's NXT United Kingdom Championship reign?
Answer: 319 days (recognized by WWE as 346 days)
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's reign as NXT United Kingdom Champion lasted 319 days, officially recognized by WWE as 346 days due to tape delay.
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What significant championship did Ilja Dragunov win at NXT No Mercy in 2023?
Explanation: At NXT No Mercy in 2023, Ilja Dragunov captured the NXT Championship.
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What was the stipulation for Ilja Dragunov's NXT UK Championship match against Jordan Devlin on the 200th episode of NXT UK?
Answer: If Devlin lost, he would leave NXT UK.
Explanation: The stipulation for the NXT UK Championship match between Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin on the 200th episode was that the loser would be forced to leave NXT UK (kayfabe). Devlin lost and departed the brand.
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What happened during Ilja Dragunov's match against Dave Mastiff on NXT UK in May 2021?
Answer: Mastiff suffered a legitimate broken nose.
Explanation: During the match between Ilja Dragunov and Dave Mastiff on NXT UK in May 2021, Mastiff sustained a legitimate broken nose, leading to a referee stoppage.
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What was the result of Ilja Dragunov's match against Bron Breakker on NXT in July 2023?
Answer: Dragunov defeated Breakker to earn an NXT Championship match.
Explanation: In July 2023, Ilja Dragunov defeated Bron Breakker on NXT, thereby earning an NXT Championship match opportunity.
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What was the duration of Ilja Dragunov's NXT Championship reign?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's reign as NXT Champion lasted for 206 days.
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What happened after Ilja Dragunov successfully defended his NXT Championship against Carmelo Hayes at Halloween Havoc (2023)?
Answer: He was attacked by Baron Corbin.
Explanation: Following his NXT Championship defense against Carmelo Hayes at Halloween Havoc (2023), Ilja Dragunov was confronted and attacked by Baron Corbin.
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What was the outcome of Ilja Dragunov's match against Trick Williams at NXT Vengeance Day (2024)?
Answer: Ilja Dragunov retained the NXT Championship.
Explanation: At NXT Vengeance Day (2024), Ilja Dragunov successfully defended his NXT Championship against Trick Williams.
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What was the outcome of Ilja Dragunov's final match in NXT on April 23, 2024?
Answer: He lost the NXT Championship to Trick Williams.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's final match in NXT, held on April 23, 2024, resulted in him losing the NXT Championship to Trick Williams.
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Main Roster and Championship Pursuits
Ilja Dragunov has competed on the NXT UK, NXT, and Raw brands.
Explanation: While Ilja Dragunov has competed on NXT UK and NXT, his primary main roster brand appearances have been on SmackDown, not Raw.
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Ilja Dragunov returned to the main roster on the October 17, 2025 episode of SmackDown.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov made his return to the main roster on SmackDown on October 17, 2025.
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As of the provided text, Ilja Dragunov is the current WWE United States Champion.
Explanation: According to the provided information, Ilja Dragunov holds the WWE United States Championship.
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Ilja Dragunov challenged Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship on the July 15, 2024 episode of Raw.
Explanation: On July 15, 2024, Ilja Dragunov competed against Sami Zayn on Raw for the Intercontinental Championship.
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Ilja Dragunov defeated Dijak on NXT: Roadblock 2024, with interference from Joe Gacy.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov secured a victory over Dijak at NXT: Roadblock 2024, a match that involved interference from Joe Gacy.
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Which WWE brand has Ilja Dragunov NOT primarily competed on, according to the source?
Explanation: Based on the provided information, Ilja Dragunov has primarily competed on NXT UK, NXT, and SmackDown, with Raw being the brand he has not primarily featured on.
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On which brand did Ilja Dragunov make his main roster return after his injury in October 2025?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov made his main roster return on the SmackDown brand on October 17, 2025.
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What championship did Ilja Dragunov win upon his return to the main roster on SmackDown in October 2025?
Answer: WWE United States Championship
Explanation: Upon his return to SmackDown in October 2025, Ilja Dragunov won the WWE United States Championship.
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Key Rivalries and Notable Matches
Ilja Dragunov's rivalry with Walter (Gunther) led to multiple highly acclaimed matches for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Explanation: The intense rivalry between Ilja Dragunov and Walter (now known as Gunther) is renowned for producing multiple critically acclaimed matches, many of which were contested for the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
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CBS Sports awarded Ilja Dragunov's match against Walter in 2020 as 'Match of the Year'.
Explanation: CBS Sports recognized the exceptional quality of the match between Ilja Dragunov and Walter in 2020 by awarding it 'Match of the Year'.
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The match between Ilja Dragunov and Walter at NXT TakeOver 36 was described as potentially the 'most brutal' in WWE history by some publications.
Explanation: The highly intense encounter between Ilja Dragunov and Walter at NXT TakeOver 36 garnered significant critical acclaim, with some publications labeling it as potentially the most brutal match in WWE history.
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Ilja Dragunov told Walter during a press conference that he still respected him greatly before their NXT TakeOver 36 match.
Explanation: Prior to their NXT TakeOver 36 match, Ilja Dragunov stated that his respect for Walter had diminished, and only animosity remained.
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Ilja Dragunov concluded his feud with Sam Gradwell by forcing him to submit in a no-disqualification match.
Explanation: The rivalry between Ilja Dragunov and Sam Gradwell culminated in a no-disqualification match, which Dragunov won by submission.
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Ilja Dragunov's feud with Alexander Wolfe in NXT UK included a no-disqualification match which Dragunov won.
Explanation: The feud between Ilja Dragunov and Alexander Wolfe in NXT UK featured a no-disqualification match, which Dragunov emerged victorious from.
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Ilja Dragunov told Carmelo Hayes during a press conference that he still respected him before their NXT The Great American Bash match.
Explanation: Prior to their NXT The Great American Bash match, Ilja Dragunov conveyed that his respect for Carmelo Hayes had waned, replaced by animosity.
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Ilja Dragunov's rivalry with Walter is significant due to multiple matches receiving five-star ratings from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Explanation: The rivalry between Ilja Dragunov and Walter is highly regarded, with several of their encounters earning five-star ratings from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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What award did CBS Sports give Ilja Dragunov's match against Walter in 2020?
Answer: Match of the Year
Explanation: CBS Sports honored the match between Ilja Dragunov and Walter in 2020 with the 'Match of the Year' award.
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What was the significance of Ilja Dragunov's rivalry with Walter (Gunther) in professional wrestling?
Answer: It featured multiple highly acclaimed matches, including two rated five-plus stars by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Explanation: The rivalry between Ilja Dragunov and Walter (Gunther) is highly significant due to the numerous critically acclaimed matches they had, several of which received five-star ratings from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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Career Milestones and Recognition
Ilja Dragunov is the first Russian-born male wrestler to win a championship in WWE.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov holds the distinction of being the first non-kayfabe Russian-born male wrestler to win a championship within WWE.
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Ilja Dragunov is the only person to have held both the NXT Championship and the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov holds a unique distinction as the first individual to have successfully held both the NXT Championship and the NXT United Kingdom Championship.
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Ilja Dragunov first appeared in the WWE 2K21 video game.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's video game debut was in WWE 2K22, not WWE 2K21.
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ESPN ranked Ilja Dragunov at number 16 on their '30 best Pro Wrestlers Under 30' list in 2023.
Explanation: ESPN ranked Ilja Dragunov at number 26 on their '30 best Pro Wrestlers Under 30' list in 2023, not number 16.
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Ilja Dragunov was ranked number 30 in the 2024 Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov achieved a ranking of number 30 in the 2024 Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 list.
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What distinction does Ilja Dragunov hold as a Russian-born wrestler in WWE?
Answer: He is the first non-kayfabe Russian-born male wrestler to win a championship in WWE.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov is recognized as the first non-kayfabe Russian-born male wrestler to achieve a championship victory within WWE.
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Ilja Dragunov holds the distinction of being the first person to have held which two NXT-related championships?
Answer: NXT United Kingdom Championship and NXT Championship
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov is the first individual to have held both the NXT United Kingdom Championship and the NXT Championship.
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In which video game did Ilja Dragunov make his debut appearance?
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov's debut appearance in a WWE video game was in WWE 2K22.
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How did ESPN rank Ilja Dragunov in their '30 best Pro Wrestlers Under 30' list in 2023?
Explanation: In 2023, ESPN placed Ilja Dragunov at number 26 on their list of the '30 best Pro Wrestlers Under 30'.
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Injuries and Returns
Ilja Dragunov was forced to vacate his NXT United Kingdom Championship due to a leg injury.
Explanation: Ilja Dragunov was indeed compelled to relinquish his NXT United Kingdom Championship due to a leg injury sustained during his reign.
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Ilja Dragunov returned to NXT after his injury on the September 20, 2022 episode.
Explanation: Following his recovery from injury, Ilja Dragunov made his return to NXT on the September 20, 2022 episode.
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Ilja Dragunov suffered a torn bicep during a Raw match in 2024.
Explanation: In 2024, Ilja Dragunov sustained a torn ACL during a Raw match, not a torn bicep. This injury required significant recovery time.
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During his match against Ridge Holland in December 2023, Ilja Dragunov suffered a legitimate broken neck.
Explanation: While Ilja Dragunov suffered a kayfabe neck injury during his match against Ridge Holland in December 2023, it was not reported as a legitimate broken neck.
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It was announced that Ilja Dragunov was not medically cleared to wrestle on the January 2, 2024 episode of NXT.
Explanation: On January 2, 2024, it was officially announced that Ilja Dragunov was not medically cleared to compete, leading to the rescheduling of his match.
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What injury did Ilja Dragunov suffer during a Raw match in 2024?
Explanation: During a Raw match in 2024, Ilja Dragunov sustained a torn ACL, an injury requiring substantial recovery time.
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What was the stated reason for Ilja Dragunov being unable to compete on the January 2, 2024 episode of NXT?
Answer: He was not medically cleared to wrestle.
Explanation: The official announcement stated that Ilja Dragunov was not medically cleared to wrestle on the January 2, 2024 episode of NXT.
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