Ilja Dragunov showcased his physicality and killer instinct during his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in-ring debut to beat Speedball Mike Bailey.
Dragunov made his first AEW appearance in the WrestleDream event in Florida on Saturday after his tenure in the World Wrestling Entertainment.
Dragunov stated in a video package that aired during Dynamite that his debut “came together in an amazing, beautiful way.”
He added that he is “starving” and is keen on sharing his passion with the audience.
“Such a warm welcome… Everything, all the details, everything came back together so nicely. I couldn’t be more grateful,” Dragunov stated in the video, referring to his WrestleDream debut.
“The Mad Dragon”, who was born in Russia and raised in Germany, then pledged that there will be more “symphonies to come.”
Dragunov is here to fight
Similar to his weekend appearance, Dragunov arrived in Dynamite on Wednesday night “conducting” the audience, as red light surrounded the arena.
As the bell rang, fans were pumped as Dragunov and Bailey locked horns.
The commentators noted that Dragunov should not brush over Bailey, as Speedball could utilize his swiftness and his “explosive taekwondo background.”
Bailey echoed the commentators’ statements as he launched several kicks to Dragunov’s thighs.
But Dragunov launched a leaping kick off the corner to fight off the surging Bailey.
The two men then fought outside the ring, and Speedball tried to down the newcomer who was leaning on the steel steps.
“The Mad Dragon” telegraphed the attack and dodged, as Bailey kicked the steel steps instead of Dragunov, hurting his left foot.
Dragunov then capitalised on the hurt Bailey, hitting the Canadian with a Release German Suplex on the mat.
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Dragunov targets the leg
Dragunov then unleashed two stomps on the back of a downed Bailey, as he screamed that “it’s nothing personal.”
Dragunov further inflicted damage to Bailey’s leg to neutralise his kicking ability.
In an exchange later on, Bailey managed to fight off a relentless Dragunov with a kick to the head, but the damage he suffered in his leg slowed him down.
In the closing moments of the bout, Bailey hit Dragunov with a Knee Strike, but the newcomer immediately retaliated with a Spinning Chop to the leg.
Speedball was not done with his offence, as he hit Dragunov with a Crane Kick.
He looked to end the match with an Ultima Weapon, but Dragunov yet again managed to attack his hurt left leg.
Dragunov then hit a D-Bomb to Bailey’s leg, and another one to his face for the pinfall victory.
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