Ilja Dragunov Shocks WWE Universe with Triumphant SmackDown Return and Championship Glory
The blue brand erupted in excitement this week as WWE SmackDown delivered one of its most stimulating occurrences in recent memory.
Broadcast live from Manchester, England, the night belonged to none other than Ilja Dragunov, whose stunning comeback set the wrestling world ablaze.
It was a moment the WWE Universe had been waiting for. The United States Championship Open Challenge, announced earlier in the evening by General Manager Nick Aldis, promised drama, and it delivered tenfold.
The Miz stepped up, declaring the state of the title as “unacceptable.” But before he could even make it to the ring, Carmelo Hayes ambushed him in a brutal pre-match assault.
The crowd buzzed with confusion. Then, the lights dimmed. The anticipation built. And out came Ilja Dragunov.
Fans erupted. The “Mad Russian” was back.
Dragunov’s return came after nearly a year on the sidelines following a ruinous ACL gash suffered during a clash with Gunther.
Numerous had misdoubted if he’d ever return to his violent, enduring form. But on this night, he silenced the disbelievers spectacularly.
A successful return for Ilja Dragunov.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/BrbAvIARhQ
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) October 18, 2025
His opponent? Sami Zayn. The stakes? Everything.
What followed was a match of sheer grit, near-falls, counters, and chaos. Just as Zayn seemed to seize control, Solo Sikoa appeared at ringside, throwing the match into disarray.
The distraction opened the door for Dragunov, who capitalized on his signature fury to claim the championship.
The arena exploded. He has his first WWE title since losing the NXT Championship last spring. A storybook ending to a long road of recovery.
No rest for the weary. Moments after Dragunov’s emotional victory, the tension escalated backstage. A confrontation broke out between MFT and the eerie Wyatt Sicks.
Rey Fenix attempted to step in, only to be crushed in the chaos. The arena lights flickered, that familiar chilling tone echoed through the speakers, and Wyatt Sicks appeared.
The standoff hinted at something much darker on the horizon, potentially setting the stage for Survivor Series: WarGames.
In a hauntingly cinematic vignette, Aleister Black broke his silence on his alliance with Zelina Vega.
He described their connection as a “necessary evil,” while Vega called it a “strategic crime” born of patience and precision.
Having re-signed with WWE earlier this year after his AEW stint ended, Black appears rejuvenated—mysterious as ever, with vengeance on his mind.
The night’s planned main event was supposed to see Jacob Fatu take on Drew McIntyre to determine the next contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
But fate, or sabotage, had other plans. Fatu was discovered attacked backstage, leaving McIntyre smirking his way to the ring, claiming victory by default.
General Manager Nick Aldis wasn’t having it. Before consequences could be handed down, Cody Rhodes stormed out. Not fully cleared to wrestle but burning with anger, Rhodes demanded the fight anyway.
The result? Pure chaos. The two brawled with raw intensity, spilling out of the ring and into the crowd’s frenzy.
Rhodes’ frustration boiled over, he grabbed the championship belt and struck McIntyre, prompting an immediate disqualification.
Officials flooded the ring, separating the enraged superstars as SmackDown went off the air in a storm of noise and emotion.
Ilja Dragunov’s name is once again on everyone’s lips. His fiery return not only reignited his career but may have shifted the entire landscape of SmackDown moving forward.
With old rivalries brewing and new alliances forming, WWE’s road to Survivor Series looks more unpredictable than ever.
