Shawn Michaels: We’ll See Something Special When Ilja Dragunov Gets An Opportunity On A Global Stage

Shawn Michaels says he wouldn’t be surprised if Ilja Dragunov got “snatched up” by the main roster.

Shawn Michaels says he wouldn’t be surprised if Ilja Dragunov got “snatched up” by the main roster.

In recent months, Ilja Dragunov has become the face of NXT. At NXT No Mercy, the former NXT UK Champion beat Carmelo Hayes to win the NXT Championship.

Speaking on Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenberg, Shawn Michaels was asked to share his thoughts on Ilja Dragunov. Michaels highlighted Dragunov’s passion and intensity. He stated that fans will see something special when Dragunov gets an opportunity on a global stage.

“To me, once again, the passion and the intensity. Again, learned it with him in the UK too, and I’m so proud of that, that some of these well-kept secrets, I guess, from a global standpoint, I was so fortunate to get to see it from the beginning over in the UK. You could see then that he unique and different and special. He’s another one that I think, what he’s doing now is unbelievably impressive. But I think when he has an opportunity to do that globally, again, we’re going to see something special, and also something…I don’t know. Ilja’s not the biggest person, but he’s got such a great look and an intensity, you can feel his passion. He can come out in a rehearsal and have that kind of passion and intensity, so that’s the thing that’s so fantastic about that. What you see from Ilja is who he is and what you get. I think people see that, they connect with it right away because they know authenticity when they see it, and that’s what Ilja has. We’re thrilled to have him here, but like I said, it would not surprise me if one day, he gets snatched up. But I’m so happy that he’ll have an opportunity, and happy for the people that have not seen him to be able to have the chance to see him because he is a special kid for sure,” Dragunov said.

Dragunov previously commented on potentially getting called up to the main roster and said he was enjoying the journey.

At NXT Deadline, Dragunov will defend the NXT Championship against Baron Corbin. Check out the card here.

Check out the card for the December 5 episode of WWE NXT here. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs.

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