Ilja Rukober

Acting

Biography

Ilja Rukober is a Russian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ilja Dragunov. He is currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he performs on the NXT UK brand. Prior to 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 one-time wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion, three-time wXw World Tag Team Champion and two-time wXw Shotgun Champion. Rukober is also the first Russian-born male wrestler to have ever competed in the WWE.

Born: October 10, 1993

Place of Birth: Moscow, Russia

Known For

99% Match2020HD

The Best of WWE: 10 Best Matches of 2020

In a year of uncertainty and change, WWE once again delivered a bevy of unforgettable showdowns. These matches are the best of the best from 2020, from a groundbreaking and innovative cinematic match to classic old-school battles decided inside the squared circle.

82% Match2021HD

NXT TakeOver 36

For the first time in NXT history, the black and gold brand caps off SummerSlam weekend as Karrion Kross defends his NXT Championship against Samoa Joe, NXT UK Champion Walter defends his title against Ilja Dragunov, Dakota Kai looks to take the NXT Women's Championship from Raquel González, and "The Undisputed Finale" gets underway as Adam Cole takes on Kyle O'Reilly in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match.

80% Match2019HD

NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff

NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff is a professional wrestling show and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their NXT UK brand. It took place on August 31, 2019, at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff in Cardiff, Wales and was streamed live on the WWE Network. It is the second event promoted under the NXT UK TakeOver chronology, after NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.

80% Match2025HD

WWE Best of Raw 2024 Special

Raw plays host to in-ring classics, jaw-dropping confrontations and shocking twists in this best of 2024 recap.

79% Match2012TV

WWE Main Event

WWE Main Event is a professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that airs on Peacock and streams on Hulu Plus in the United States. The show features WWE wrestlers and complements WWE's primary programs Raw and SmackDown.

78% Match2020HD

WWE Worlds Collide

WWE Worlds Collide is a professional wrestling show and WWE Network event featuring the NXT superstars facing off against NXT UK superstars. Taking place during Royal Rumble 2020 weekend, this event features the NXT UK stable Imperium taking on the NXT stable Undisputed Era. This is the second event under the Worlds Collide chronology.

77% Match2022HD

NXT Halloween Havoc 2022

The 2022 NXT Halloween Havoc is the upcoming 15th Halloween Havoc professional wrestling live streaming event produced by WWE. It will be held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event will occur on October 22, 2022, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

75% Match2023HD

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2023

The 2023 NXT Stand & Deliver was the third annual Stand & Deliver professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event took place on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California as part of WrestleMania Weekend, being held the same day as WrestleMania 39 Night 1 with a special start time of 1 p.m. Eastern Time 10 a.m. Pacific Time. WWE wrestlers Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) served as the hosts of the event.