AEW has released another cryptic teaser ahead of Ilja Dragunov‘s expected arrival. Their latest social media post has put WrestleDream firmly in the picture.

The former WWE star has been linked to the promotion for weeks. Now, the newest video adds another clue about when fans might finally see him make his entrance.

The vignette continues the unusual presentation seen in AEW’s recent programming, using music and training imagery rather than revealing Dragunov outright.

AEW also included the WrestleDream hashtag, raising interest in whether the upcoming event could mark the next step in his arrival.

The latest video features Dragunov training and conducting, with repeated shots of a metronome. These elements mirror the earlier teaser shown during AEW Collision. That video featured similar orchestral imagery alongside footage connected to the wrestling ring.

Fightful Select reported on September 14 that Dragunov was headed to AEW. A subsequent report indicated that he had signed with the company, although his visa situation needed to be resolved before his arrival could move forward.



Dragunov left WWE after his contract expired. He had been absent from WWE television since April. This left fans waiting to see where the former NXT Champion would continue his career.

AEW has begun building anticipation through its own programming, with the repeated imagery suggesting that the company wants viewers to pay attention to the details. The metronome is keeping time, but the promotion has yet to provide a confirmed date for Dragunov’s first appearance.



The WrestleDream connection could prove significant, particularly given the teaser’s timing. However, AEW has not explicitly confirmed that Dragunov will appear on the event’s broadcast, so fans should treat a debut there as a possibility rather than a certainty.

For now, the promotion is letting the clues do the talking. Dragunov’s reported move to AEW has already generated interest, and the latest teaser suggests his long-awaited entrance may be approaching — even if the curtain hasn’t officially risen yet.