Ilja Dragunov: Unbesiegbar

This video was my introduction to Ilja Dragunov a wrestler I don't recall hearing about before, but after a reception like this and the intensity he showed in his entrance I had to find out more.

December 23, 2017 was the 17th Anniversary Show of Westside Xtreme Wrestling based out of Germany.  On that day Dragunov main evented in a No Holds Barred Match against wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion John Klinger and he came up short after a near 25 minute war.  The above video was his surprise return on March 10, 2018 on Night 2 of the wXw 16 Carat Gold tournament.  He would go on to win the championship in this match.

Searching YouTube for matches of his to watch I came across a three part documentary that talks about his life, what lead him to wrestling, and where he is now.  The documentary is part of the building leading up the his match on December 23, 2017.  There are subtitles on the videos and I think are a great resource to learn more about him, here are the links:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A big event in his career that I was shocked to learn was that he fractured his skull in 2013 after falling on his head.  It took several exams before they found the fracture.  He knows he taking a risk wrestling with this healed injury but he can't help it, it's who he is.

I encourage everyone to subscribe for a month to the wXw Streaming Service to watch this years 16 Carat Gold Tournament it is stupendous.  Although there are some matches on YouTube the best place to watch his most recent matches is on xWx Now.  Incidentally xWx Now features several shows with English Commentary.

Iija Dragunov is only 24 years old and in my opinion he is definitely one to watch in the future.  If he can make a Soviet gimmick get over in Germany in 2018 I feel like he can get anything over if given the chance. 

Follow him on his social medias:
Twitter: @UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR

Instagram: unbesiegbar_dragunov

Since capturing the championship in wXw he's had amazing matches with Matt Riddle, Absolute Andy, and two hellacious bouts with Walter.  Check out Dragunov's chest after one of these matches.

I cannot stress this enough, make sure you take some time to watch his matches.

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Later Readers!