Bio

Ilya Rukober (Russian: Илья́ Руко́бер, romanized: Ilʹya Rukober; born 10 October 1993) is a Russian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Ilja Dragunov (Russian: Илья Драгунов, romanized: Ilʹya Dragunov). He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT UK brand and is the current NXT United Kingdom Champion in his first reign. 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 the first non-kayfabe Russia-born male wrestler to have ever competed in the WWE, and is also the first Russia-born champion in the company’s history.