Ilja Dragunov made an immediate impact in AEW by defeating Mike Bailey in his in-ring debut on the October 21 episode of AEW Dynamite.

The match was Dragunov’s first singles contest in more than seven months. AEW confirmed his signing at WrestleDream. The Mad Dragon wasted no time making his presence felt, fighting through Bailey’s high-flying offense and targeting his injured knee to secure the victory.

Both men started the match by testing each other with grappling moves. Dragunov took Bailey down with a waistlock, but Bailey countered with a wristlock before locking in a waistlock of his own.

Dragunov backed Bailey into the corner but broke clean. He then tried to hit a powerful chop, but Bailey dodged and hit back with several kicks. Bailey then hit a Frankensteiner after avoiding Dragunov’s attempt to stop his handspring.

Dragunov soon fought back with a pop-up stomp in the corner. Bailey avoided a powerbomb and landed a kick, but Dragunov answered with a big chop followed by a German suplex.

The action then moved to the outside, where Mike Bailey hit an Orihara moonsault. Dragunov avoided another kick and sent Bailey’s foot crashing into the steel steps. He followed up with a German suplex on the floor.



Ilja Dragunov continued attacking Bailey with headbutts and punches. Bailey eventually stopped him with a crescent kick. He followed up with a standing shooting star press, but Dragunov turned the move into a cross armbar. Bailey managed to break free, though Dragunov kept up the pressure.

Bailey then locked in a triangle choke and followed it with several punches. Dragunov fought back by applying a half-crab, forcing Bailey to struggle his way out of the hold.

The two continued trading heavy strikes before Dragunov landed several rolling German suplexes. He came close to winning with a bridging tiger suplex, but Bailey kicked out. Even a diving senton from the top rope wasn’t enough to put Bailey away.

Bailey tried to regain control on the apron, but his next moonsault attempt ended badly. His knees crashed into the hard surface, leaving both men in pain. Bailey was struggling to put weight on his injured leg.

Dragunov then started focusing more on his injured knee. He hit a superplex to Bailey from the top of the turnbuckle.

Bailey nearly stole the win with an inside cradle as Dragunov prepared to hit the D-Bomb. He continued fighting back, but his injured knee made it difficult to follow up. Dragunov took advantage and went after the leg again. He knocked Bailey off the second turnbuckle with a chop to the knee before hitting a powerbomb.

The Mad Dragon then delivered the D-Bomb. He followed up with another D-Bomb to finish the match.