AEW rolled out the red carpet for Ilja Dragunov tonight (Oct. 21) on Dynamite by booking his debut match against “Speedball” Mike Bailey in the main event of the show. Before that, AEW hyped up the Mad Dragon with this nifty video package.
Ilja continued getting the star
treatment with his ring introduction for the main event.
Did Dragunov come off like an obvious top star in the match itself? I’m not sure about that. It was the expected great work rate back-and-forth fare against mid-carder Bailey. Speedball nearly scored the win, but Dragunov ultimately put him away with the D-Bomb.
There was no post-match angle afterwards to tease Ilja’s first major feud in AEW, so great work rate will have to suffice for tonight’s debut (in addition to Don Callis’ interest in scouting Ilja). Regardless, it is clear from his presentation that AEW is trying to position the Mad Dragon as a bigger star than he ever was in WWE.
What’s your reaction to Ilja Dragunov’s debut night on AEW Dynamite, Cagesiders?
Catch up on all the results from Dynamite in our live blog right here.
