Ilja Dragunov has looked back on his memorable interaction with Brock Lesnar at this year’s Royal Rumble.
Dragunov was a part of the match for just over ten minutes before being eliminated by Lesnar. The sequence where Dragunov was eliminated saw him first hit Lesnar with a series of chops. Lesnar did not sell the impact of the choips, instead screaming at Dragunov before throwing him out of the ring.
Given Dragunov has a reputation for being one of the toughest competitors in wrestling today, and a notoriously stiff striker, fans were upset at the way that the former US Champion was eliminated. However, according to Dragunov, he does not see the moment as a negative.
“I Don’t See It As Defeat”: Ilja Dragunov On Brock Lesnar Interaction
Appearing on the Ariel Helwani Show, Dragunov first thanked the fans who didn’t like how the Rumble played out:
“First of all, shoutout to all of my fans that are feeling with me, are passionate with me, and get angry for me. I love all of you guys and you’ve been sticking with me forever. I appreciate you concern. I said it before: if you really understand the persona that I have in the ring for most of my career, I’ve been facing monsters. You have a person like Brock Lesnar standing in front of you. Most people would run away. Me, as Ilja Dragunov, he’s tough, mentally and physically.”
Continuing, Dragunov admitted that he did the best he could with what he was given, adding that it wasn’t something that he dwelled on:
“For what I was given and how the whole situation occurred, I did the best I could do about it. I can’t change anything about it. My best career moments were made by my vulnerability. I wasn’t becoming a name by being the person who dominates at all times. I became a name on moments where I got beaten down badly. My nose makes a right turn because it’s been broken a couple of times. It’s always how I fought back and recovered after those moments. These moments make great stories. I don’t see it as a defeat. I’m glad people are upset for me, and maybe it could’ve worked out a different way, but I didn’t spare a second or third thought about it,” he said.
Dragunov’s WWE contract expired earlier in the year, making him a free agent. The Russian wrestler made his AEW debut at WrestleDream, confirming the rumours that he had joined the rival company. Dragunov will make his in-ring debut for AEW on the October 21 edition of Dynamite. His first opponent will be Mike Bailey.
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcription.
Featured image: WWE
