For those wondering why Ilja Dragunov has been missing from WWE programming for months, there’s apparently one very simple answer: analytics.
Per WrestleVotes Live on Fightful Select, the Mad Dragon’s name has reportedly not been mentioned backstage “in weeks,” and one major factor for his ongoing absence is WWE’s reliance on analytics. Basically, WWE operates under a “Moneyball” approach these days, analysing numbers, clicks, view time, etc when looking at which talents to feature on TV. As TC of WrestleVotes put it in regards to Dragunov, “they don’t click on his name,” and that WWE nowadays uses such analytics “more than anyone will ever know”.
It’s not just Ilja Dragunov who’s been impacted by this approach, as TC suggested the former United States Champion is one of several names in a similar position. Likewise, it was also pointed out that Ilja has minimal merchandise on WWE Shop, which makes it tricky for fans to order his merch when, well, there’s only one Dragunov t-shirt to buy; a t-shirt that (potentially) ominously is on clearance right now, with nearly 50% off.
In the case of Ilja Dragunov, he last wrestled on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, where he was involved in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal that was won by Royce Keys. Since then, the 32-year-old Russian has been completely absent from TV. In fact, Ilja has only had eight main TV matches in 2026 so far, though he has also worked the odd WWE Main Event taping or live event match.
For those wondering whether there have been any injuries at play for Dragunov, all reports suggest he’s been fit and healthy this entire time, and he’s also been shown training at Natalya and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon numerous times in the four months he’s been away from TV.
Andrew Pollard