Ilja Dragunov Comments on “AEW Is A Company That Is Working For Fans Of Professional Wrestling”
Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown on SI held a recent interview with Ilja Dragunov. One of the topics discussed included Dragunov’s thoughts about his praise of AEW for being a company that works for the fans of professional wrestling.
“It’s not really much that something is actually changing about the way that I’m working, because I have a lot of confidence of what I did in the past. I was successful with what I did in the past and what I’m believing in as well. I just believe also that from the audience side, it is a company that is working for fans of professional wrestling. We love this craft. I’m the part of a company that loves this craft with all devotion and all the heart, and that’s the focus. Even the fans, when they approach AEW and watch Dynamite or Collisions or the pay-per-views, they want to see this craftsmanship at their highest level. So that’s a major change. The people come in and they know what they’re coming in for.”
Dragunov made his official debut for AEW at last Saturday’s WrestleDream 2026 event and made his official in-ring debut for AEW at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Coral Gables, Florida.
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
The Dogs Comments on Their AEW Careers and AEW Money Being Way Better Than NJPW Money
A recent episode of the What Happened When with Tony Schiavone podcast featured The Dogs’ Clark Connors and David Finlay as the guests. One of the topics discussed included Finlay and Connors thoughts about them both enjoying their time in the company and the money they are getting paid in AEW being “way better” than what they were being paid in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
David Finlay – “I like it. I get to kick ass and be with my boys. Different city, twice a week. What’s not to like? I get to mess with you [Schiavone] on TV and make your life miserable. Life is good. Nothing to really complain about.”
Clark Connors – “The money. I like the money, too. A lot of it.”
Finlay – “Yeah, AEW money is way better than New Japan money.”
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
Maya World Reflects on Her In-Ring Return From Injury at Oct. 21st AEW Dynamite Show
As noted before, Maya World had been out of action for AEW and Ring of Honor since the September 9th Rebel Heart episode of AEW Dynamite due to an undisclosed injury. World made her in-ring return from injury at this past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Coral Gables, Florida and had competed against Queen Aminata in a #1 Contender’s match for the TBS Championship at the show.
World reflected on Thursday on Twitter about her recently making her in-ring return from injury.
“that feeling of being hit by a car after wrestling a match the night before is back, we are soooo backkkk brother ✨
#idontwannagetup”
that feeling of being hit by a car after wrestling a match the night before is back, we are soooo backkkk brother ✨ #idontwannagetup
— maya world (@MayaWorldd) October 22, 2026
Stephanie Vaquer Makes In-Ring Return From Injury at 10/16 WWE Hawaii Tour Live Event
Backstage Update on Max Caster’s Controversial Pre-Match Promo At TNA Bound For Glory 2026 & TNA Cutting Ties With Caster
Various: Billy Gunn Pulled From 10/25 Create-A-Pro Event & Replaced With MJF, Unnamed NXT Talent Files Order Of Protection Against Keanu Carver Update, Indies/Misc.
