Breaking News! ILJA DRAGUNOV returns & wins US championship!

THE CZAR IS BACK: ILJA DRAGUNOV STUNS SAMI ZAYN, WINS US TITLE AFTER NEARLY A YEAR ABSENCE!

SAN JOSE, CA – The wrestling world was set on fire tonight on SmackDown as Ilja Dragunov made his electrifying return after almost a full year on the shelf, not just to step back into the ring, but to walk out as the new WWE United States Champion!

The night began with Sami Zayn, the fighting champion, issuing his advertised United States Championship Open Challenge. While initial plans were derailed by Carmelo Hayes taking out The Miz, the atmosphere exploded when the familiar, haunting theme music of "The Mad Dragon" hit. Looking absolutely shredded—and sporting a vicious new neck tattoo—Dragunov answered the call, making his official SmackDown debut after a year away battling a torn ACL.

What followed was an intense, gritty war. Zayn, known for his relentless heart, fought with everything he had, but he met his physical equal in the returning Czar. The final moments were pure chaos: a distraction by Solo Sikoa appearing on the ramp was enough of a momentary break for Dragunov to seize the advantage. He immediately drilled the champion with the Torpedo Moscow jumping headbutt, followed by the thunderous H-Bomb elbow drop for the 1-2-3!

The crowd was stunned silent before erupting. Ilja Dragunov is back, and he is the new United States Champion, ending Sami Zayn's feel-good run in brutal fashion.

The immediate celebration was cut short as The Bloodline’s MFT (Sikoa, Fatu, and Uso) swarmed the ring, laying waste to both the new champion and the former champion. Sikoa grabbed the microphone and swore he would make his family champions again, a clear declaration that the US Title picture just got ten times more volatile.

​A new era has begun on the blue brand, and it is governed by UNBESIEGBAR!

Kimster AFW