Ilja Dragunov and Sheamus crossed paths once in WWE during a 2024 Money in the Bank qualifying Triple Threat Match alongside Drew McIntyre. McIntyre won that encounter. Dragunov and Sheamus never got to settle things one-on-one. Now both have departed the promotion, opening the door for a long-awaited singles clash.
The Celtic Warrior built his entire career around hard-hitting battles. The Mad Dragon earned his reputation by absorbing punishment and fighting through exhaustion. A singles match between them would deliver raw, physical violence. More importantly, it would finally give fans the Dragunov vs. Sheamus showdown they never received in WWE.