Ilja Dragunov | |
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![]() Dragunov in 2020 | |
Birth name | Ilja Rukober |
Born | [1][2] Moscow, Russia | 10 October 1993
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Ilja Dragunov |
Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[3] |
Billed weight | 210 lb (95 kg)[3] |
Billed from | Moscow, Russia Dresden, Germany |
Trained by | Axel Tischer Rick Baxxter |
Debut | 21 April 2012 |
Ilja Rukober (Russian: Илья́ Руко́бер, romanized: Ilʹya Rukober; born 10 October 1993), better known by his ring name Ilja Dragunov (Russian: Илья Драгунов, romanized: Ilʹya Dragunov), is a Russian-German professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand.[3] He is a former 1-time NXT United Kingdom Champion & 1-time NXT Champion.
Before signing with WWE, Dragunov competed on the European independent circuit and is also known for his time with Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), where he is a former 1-time wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion, 3-time wXw World Tag Team Champion and 2-time wXw Shotgun Champion.[4] Rukober is the first non-kayfabe Russian male wrestler to compete in the WWE, and is also the first Russian-born champion in the company's history.[5]