Ilja Dragunov is back.
During the October 17, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown, Ilja Dragunov made his long-awaited return to the ring after a year out of action.
Dragunov came out to answer an open challenge laid out by reigning, defending WWE United States Champion Sami Zayn. In the near end Solo Sikoa came out and he distracted Sami Zayn. Then Dragunov was able to hit his finishers, followed by an H Bomb, to win the match and become the new United States Champion.
