WWE NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov on Advice From John Cena & ‘Halloween Havoc’
Q&A
It was quite a birthday for Ilja Dragunov a few weeks ago when the WWE NXT Champion successfully defended the gold against Dominik Mysterio. The October 10 episode of the USA Network show also saw a slew of top superstars paying a visit including John Cena, The Undertaker, Asuka, and Cody Rhodes.
Next up for the Russian-born “Mad Dragon” is the main event during the second week of Halloween Havoc on NXT. It’s where he’ll put the belt on the line against Carmelo Hayes. They’ve had quite the rivalry putting on two classics at the Great American Bash and No Mercy. Here Dragunov previews the next installment of this trilogy.
As NXT champion, how is it for you to see all eyes on the brand, especially on that October 10 episode leading into Halloween Havoc?
Ilja Dragunov: It’s absolutely beautiful. It was a very special birthday for me. Everything was surreal because you see how everything is evolving. Since I came back to NXT, I have done everything I could do to create memorable performances for the audience. To see how everything else has evolved in the same manner, you see so much passion. That was a historical show and one I’ll remember for a long time.
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You got to spend some time with John Cena. What kind of advice did he give you?
It wasn’t a long conversation. What I really appreciated was him just randomly pulling me aside. This was something that doesn’t happen every day. He spoke about making moments and building a connection. That is what we were talking about. He gives you a whole different perspective, even when you may have the same opinion on things. When you have his approval, then you have the right mindset for this business, and you are on the right path.
How surreal was it seeing The Undertaker backstage?
Meeting those legendary performers for the first time. You feel the connection between the present and the past in a very special way. A lot of people felt proud because you watched those guys growing up and now you’re in the same working environment. It gets you feeling in life, you feel everything is possible.
There was a lot of talk about competition on that night with NXT and AEW going head-to-head. What did it mean for you to see NXT do so well?
I treat it the same way I treat competition in general in my life. I have no opinion because for me when I think of competition in regards to me, there is nobody that can do the things I do. I don’t see any competition in that sense. I see the same for the entire NXT brand. I don’t see anyone working in the same way the NXT brand does.
We have this working environment where everyone is motivated to evolve constantly, and in a way, that nobody else can copy or reproduce. I think everybody else, especially me as NXT champion, was focused on performing on that night to our very best ability. Also, because those icons were there, we wanted to create something that was memorable and beautiful that people were not going to forget for a very long time.
Halloween Havoc is on the horizon. Now in the United States for a longer period of time, what do you make of Halloween?
For me personally, it was a small cultural shock. I’m fully European and enjoy European culture and know that very well. Living in the States, I’ve gotten a chance to learn different traditions and celebrations. It is exciting to me because I want to see as much of this world as possible. You want to have these experiences. I’m looking forward to finding out more about Halloween.
What are some things you haven’t done before but have been able to do in the States?
This is a good question. It sounds funny, but actually, now is the first time I’ve driven a car. I got a license and everything. I’m actually driving a car. Back home I was always busy working, especially in Germany where I lived most of my life so far. There is so much good public transportation, and I was a fan of taking long walks. I just never had the interest or wanted to invest the time to fully learn how to drive. Now in the States, I took the time to attack this topic. It’s one of the biggest memories I’ve had.
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Does this third match with Carmelo feel different than past ones?
I don’t think anything feels different. Carmelo Hayes and I show how important the NXT championship is to us. Carmelo wanted to build this dynasty for himself, but I was the person who fulfilled my destiny. It’s now the reign of the “Mad Dragon.” Here he is trying to take the title off my hands. There is an aura and energy about this match even before it happens. I think this performance will be a unique and memorable performance.
Another big rival of yours Gunther is currently in the middle of being the longest-reigning Intercontinental champion on Raw. A lot of people want to see you face him again.
The number of things I’ve learned from Gunther are the things that made me the person I am today and make me the person I am in the future. There is nobody in the entire business I’ve learned more from than him. Seeing people feel such a connection to the performances we delivered, it’s inspirational and beautiful. We showed the audience who I am as a performer. It was the perfect underdog story of David versus Goliath. The ultimate underdog fighting no matter what versus the “Final Boss” Gunther. It’s something people want to see 500 times more and are hooked. I think we are destined to see it again.
Perhaps at a WrestleMania?
We are allowed to dream, aren’t we?
Was there any real talk of putting you in Imperium?
No specifics. I just saw something about that on the internet. Rumors of me benign in Imperium, but who actually wants that? Who has this idea? There couldn’t be someone who is more different and opposite than me to Imperium. All of those guys are outstanding and supreme technical wrestlers. But they are cold and stoic. I’m the absolute opposite and all over the place, I can be nuts. I’m the “Mad Dragon”. I’m a different animal. Those personas are so different. What is the benefit of my being in this group? I don’t think it would make sense.
With NXT guys and girls making appearances on Raw and SmackDown, anyone you want to test yourself against on those shows?
There are so many people. Rey Mysterio is someone I’ve had in my mind for a very long time because he was one of the first people I saw on the job. He is still active and an outstanding performer. He has done it for a long time. Personally, I would like to work with anyone who can make special moments.
Any shows you watch that may surprise fans?
When I watch something, it’s anime. I’m a huge anime fan. There is so much from anime I can put into my work. The most beautiful thing about anime is there is passion and so much emotion. When you put all that into what you do, it becomes art. There is soul to it. It means something to you. This business is the same. Making things mean something to you. It is about you as a performer making yourself mean something to the audience through moves and words. You want to build a deep emotional connection. Anime reaches deep into your heart. I’m focused on great underdog stories that inspire me….I like to watch Naruto for example. There are so many beautiful characters I take inspiration from them and put them into my own work.
WWE NXT Halloween Havoc, October 24 and 31, USA Network
