Ilja Dragunov says he wants a spot in AEW’s Continental Classic
Ilja Dragunov told AEW Advance he wants to compete in the Continental Classic, calling the tournament a test of mental toughness and hinting at a future match with Eddie Kingston.
Ilja Dragunov told AEW Advance he wants to be part of the upcoming AEW Continental Classic, calling the tournament a measure of mental toughness and resilience. The remarks came weeks after his AEW debut.
On AEW Advance, Dragunov referenced the event’s recent winners — Eddie Kingston (2023), Kazuchika Okada (2024) and Jon Moxley (2025) — and said the Classic rewards competitors who have overcome injuries and setbacks.
He also reflected on his history with Kingston and suggested their paths could lead to a match in the future, while noting that booking decisions are not his to make.
The interview was conducted by Arkady Aura and Lexy Nair on AEW Advance. Separately, Dragunov recently faced The Beast Mortos at the Oct. 28, 2026 taping of AEW Fright Night Collision.
AEW has not announced the full Continental Classic field. Dragunov’s comments were reported by F4WOnline and are available via AEW Advance and AEW’s social channels.
