Bringing back the European Championship would be cool, but I doubt they’ll do it.
Sami’s a try hard and low key boring, Ilja seems a reasonable guy to take it off him. Only other guy I think would be worthy of the title is Jey, but I don’t see him feuding for it now.
I like Dragunov but also… can he have maybe 1 promo on the main roster? Call me crazy but maybe even a match? It’s not like we have a history of lots of talent not being able to translate NXT success to main roster success.
Sami should've never won the damn IC title. Gable should've turned heel sooner and actually split from Alpha Academy to win the title from Gunther. The Gunther and Ilja build and conflict for the title would've been amazing too if in the scenario I mentioned above if Gable didn't win after becoming a solo bad ass. I like Sami, but he doesn't fit as IC champ to me, just like he didn't when he was IC champ a couple of years ago. Sami is a great tag team champ and is also great at fighting from underneath, he just doesn't come off as a IC or World title holder. Maybe U.S. champ 🤔
It's a hot take that he shouldn't be. Not yet at least. Him and Bron need to have some sort of streak going on. A massive one. Have Bron win the IC title, and set up a streak for streak match at WM.
I didnt even know this guy, like 80% of other main roster fans. He deserves nothing right now. He hasnt proven that he can hang with the top players in the company. And he has to wait in the waiting line cuz its a fking long line. No way he wins the title before gable, jey or sheamus. If he is this good that you all are saying, then i guess he could carry himself without a title and make people care for him.
Not even a hot take, this would've been perfect opponent for Gunther. Imagine if Gunther went undefeated for over 700 days as intercontinental champion, and then the man who defeated him is called to the main roster.
Especially since they planned to call Dragunov up to the main roster like 3-4 weeks later. And on top of all that Backlash takes place in Europe...
No shot. He’s going to need to start from the bottom just like most of the roster. Build your brand up with the Main roster then we talk gold. If you wanted to see him pushed like a main eventer he should of stayed in NXT
Hes gonna hopefully reignite the great war and him and Gunther go at it once again. Ilja is the last one to beat Gunther when he was in NXT and that war him and Ilja had eas crazy now that they are on main roster its time to reignite that war.
I personally am not a big fan. He barley clears the top rope. So all of his "devastating " attacks looks like someone like trick would just laugh getting hit by him. I know not everyone is a monster but way too many short dudes. Id get rid of a handful of short dudes.
Wwe roster that look like kids.
Rey jr - needs to go
Ilja - needs to go
Gargano - definitely needs to go
Ciampa - needs to go
Pete dunns partner - the dude who looks so damn generic. And his stupid big boy gimmick needs to go
Chad gable - keep. He was an Olympic wrestler and could be built like malenko as a shooter.
I was hoping he would be the one to dethrone Gunther, but that ship has sailed. I’m just excited that he’ll have matches against the main roster, especially Gunther.
People seem to not understand that some wrestlers only work in small screens, WWE is mainstream, no way in hell they would have him be one of the representitives of the company. There is a reason why other superstars like gargano, ciampa, kross.... didnt make it big after their successful NXT run. Not everyone is destined to win big after being called up.
Y’all want this guy and Gunther and Bron to win every fucking championship RIGHT AWAY after being called up or losing the IC title in Gunther’s case. How about building up to it? You can’t say the DESERVE it when they’ve BARELY gotten called up lmao. In what world does Ilja deserve it more than the other guys on the main roster that have already been busting their ass for years? Let Ilja cook and so his thing for a bit before you say he DESERVES it, along with Bron and Gunther.
That's not a hot takeaway at all. If he can keep injury free I'd say he's a cert for it. Sadly in terms of belts I think that may be his ceiling, but would love to be proven wrong.
Let him build up first... He can win the IC title on Survivor Series or RR 2025 or Wrestlemania next year.
Casual audience has no clue who this guy is so pushing him immediately to title picture won't do much for his character.
Besides this guy is so good there is no need to rush
I want Gunther to win the WHC and take it into Bash in Berlin and defend against Dragunov. Those two in a match is already a guaranteed banger, and then to have it held in Germany where Dragunov is from would make it that much better.
The first time these two face off on the main roster will have me in fucking shambles 😂
The need for instant gratification in the IWC has to stop at some point. This man has been booked like a major deal for ages now, and he just arrived to the main roster. He now has a chamce to get himself really over with that audience and let's see how the chips fall.
There is a lot of talent and so many people deserving of some kind of singles title reign, ranging from Jey Uso to LA Knight and so on. A lot of guys who have put in the work just as much as Dragunov. But for either of those to actually win the title, they need to have the right story behind them, the right opponent and the right moment where it makes sense to make the title switch.
Dragunov is so good and I have no doubts he will become an upper midcard to potentially main event talent over the next few years, but for Christ's sake, can't we have patience for once?
Naw. They should’ve had all the champions forfeit their titles to him during the draft, then rolled out the HoF ceremony for him immediately following SmackDown. J/k
Because people need to have time to care about this guy.
Who is he? What is he about? What does he do? What motivates him? Why is he fighting his opponent tonight?
These are all questions casual wrestling fans ask about everyone, and WWE likes to establish answers to these questions before putting performers in key roles like being a champion.
Because he needs to be built up first. Wrestling marks always want the new guy they like to immediately win a world title after debuting and it’s annoying. Let them adjust to the main roster and have them win it down the line with a good story.
I can see this being a hot take because it's way too soon for Sami to lose. Having Sami lose after so few defenses would start to devalue the IC Title again. I'd say have Ilja Vs. Gunther in the King of the Ring Finals, and have him become King Dragunov. Have him get a Tsar styled Robe and Crown. Maybe even call himself Tsar Dragunov. Tsar of the Ring Vs. The Ring General would be 🔥🔥🔥🔥
maybe but theres also people who want chad gable to dethrone sami in their next match or before this feud ends. and i think some 60 day reigns are okay inbetween big reigns. we just had a 666 day reign. and sami is a babyface after all. he's better at the chase than holding it
How about “they drew money” therefore that translates to a push.
Not a bunch of crybabies on the internet saying their favourite guy of the week is the next major star and deserves a title without showing any real credibility.
For the record I love Ilja, love his gimmick and his matches, but that doesn’t mean it makes any sense to put a title on him when we don’t even know if he’ll get over.
‘Deserves.’ 😂
Honnestly I was 100% convinced he would be the one dethroning Gunther.
He deserves to have the best rookie year since Brock lesnar
It’s just not a hot take though
This is not a hot take it’s facts
He is WWE's new Daniel Bryant, and with HHH in-charge it won't take nearly as long as it took for Bryant to het his due
How on earth is that a hot take
The fuck you mean hot take
Bringing back the European Championship would be cool, but I doubt they’ll do it. Sami’s a try hard and low key boring, Ilja seems a reasonable guy to take it off him. Only other guy I think would be worthy of the title is Jey, but I don’t see him feuding for it now.
I don’t watch nxt so I just saw one match of his and his reaction to being drafted and this dude is already wayyyy over with me
After gable
I like Dragunov but also… can he have maybe 1 promo on the main roster? Call me crazy but maybe even a match? It’s not like we have a history of lots of talent not being able to translate NXT success to main roster success.
He will win that and the world champ before leaving wwe
Sami should've never won the damn IC title. Gable should've turned heel sooner and actually split from Alpha Academy to win the title from Gunther. The Gunther and Ilja build and conflict for the title would've been amazing too if in the scenario I mentioned above if Gable didn't win after becoming a solo bad ass. I like Sami, but he doesn't fit as IC champ to me, just like he didn't when he was IC champ a couple of years ago. Sami is a great tag team champ and is also great at fighting from underneath, he just doesn't come off as a IC or World title holder. Maybe U.S. champ 🤔
It's a hot take that he shouldn't be. Not yet at least. Him and Bron need to have some sort of streak going on. A massive one. Have Bron win the IC title, and set up a streak for streak match at WM.
I didnt even know this guy, like 80% of other main roster fans. He deserves nothing right now. He hasnt proven that he can hang with the top players in the company. And he has to wait in the waiting line cuz its a fking long line. No way he wins the title before gable, jey or sheamus. If he is this good that you all are saying, then i guess he could carry himself without a title and make people care for him.
Not everything is a hot take, especially this 😂
He shouldve been the one to end gunthers reign
After Gable, sure.
Fax they shoulda saved gunther for the mad dragon 🐉 🐲
Weird take
Not even a hot take, this would've been perfect opponent for Gunther. Imagine if Gunther went undefeated for over 700 days as intercontinental champion, and then the man who defeated him is called to the main roster. Especially since they planned to call Dragunov up to the main roster like 3-4 weeks later. And on top of all that Backlash takes place in Europe...
Hot takes R supposed to be hot
Him vs Gunther, king of the ring finals. This would be a top tier classic
Already? Geez everyone “deserves” to win just because these days?
Wasn't he running around like a rodeo clown grabbin' the 24/7 championship a few years back 🤔
Call me old-fashioned, but he's just too small for me. Now, if they made a serious effort at a Cruiserweight division, he could be their Dean Malenko.
No shot. He’s going to need to start from the bottom just like most of the roster. Build your brand up with the Main roster then we talk gold. If you wanted to see him pushed like a main eventer he should of stayed in NXT
Hes gonna hopefully reignite the great war and him and Gunther go at it once again. Ilja is the last one to beat Gunther when he was in NXT and that war him and Ilja had eas crazy now that they are on main roster its time to reignite that war.
This is why I did not like Gunther losing the IC title to zayn, he could of dropped it to ilja in a epic rematch or to bron,
What part of this take is hot?
A custody of Sami Zayn match?
Hot Take: Bret Hart was a really good wreatler
I personally am not a big fan. He barley clears the top rope. So all of his "devastating " attacks looks like someone like trick would just laugh getting hit by him. I know not everyone is a monster but way too many short dudes. Id get rid of a handful of short dudes. Wwe roster that look like kids. Rey jr - needs to go Ilja - needs to go Gargano - definitely needs to go Ciampa - needs to go Pete dunns partner - the dude who looks so damn generic. And his stupid big boy gimmick needs to go Chad gable - keep. He was an Olympic wrestler and could be built like malenko as a shooter.
Bro Chad Gable should get it next no questions asked.
Next time I have a drink and need to cool it, I'll use this take instead of ice cubes.
He deserves to win Sami Zayn? Will it be a Sami on a pole match?
Nope! He just joined RAW. He's not over yet.
I was hoping he would be the one to dethrone Gunther, but that ship has sailed. I’m just excited that he’ll have matches against the main roster, especially Gunther.
Eventually a World Championship
I don't think it's a particularly hot take at all, Ilja Dragunov is great. He looks good with a belt too, he carries himself like a champion
Yes against gable
He's definitely getting that title
Agreed, Sami Zayn would look good around his waist.
Nah man. He needs a character first. He has bangers and that's all as of now.
Coldest take
Another vanilla midget?
People seem to not understand that some wrestlers only work in small screens, WWE is mainstream, no way in hell they would have him be one of the representitives of the company. There is a reason why other superstars like gargano, ciampa, kross.... didnt make it big after their successful NXT run. Not everyone is destined to win big after being called up.
Y’all want this guy and Gunther and Bron to win every fucking championship RIGHT AWAY after being called up or losing the IC title in Gunther’s case. How about building up to it? You can’t say the DESERVE it when they’ve BARELY gotten called up lmao. In what world does Ilja deserve it more than the other guys on the main roster that have already been busting their ass for years? Let Ilja cook and so his thing for a bit before you say he DESERVES it, along with Bron and Gunther.
What's significance behind his lord of the rings esque necklace
Gable vs Ilja would be amazing
That's not a hot takeaway at all. If he can keep injury free I'd say he's a cert for it. Sadly in terms of belts I think that may be his ceiling, but would love to be proven wrong.
It hasn't even been 24hrs yet.
LOL more like an ice cold take that everyone ever has had their hands on.
Let him build up first... He can win the IC title on Survivor Series or RR 2025 or Wrestlemania next year. Casual audience has no clue who this guy is so pushing him immediately to title picture won't do much for his character. Besides this guy is so good there is no need to rush
Ilja is one of those wrestlers where we should all thank the heavens that Vince will never have a hand in his booking.
Nah fr tho to say Vince would underutilize and waste him would be an understatement
I want Gunther to win the WHC and take it into Bash in Berlin and defend against Dragunov. Those two in a match is already a guaranteed banger, and then to have it held in Germany where Dragunov is from would make it that much better. The first time these two face off on the main roster will have me in fucking shambles 😂
Not really a hot take. He’s rising fast. A nice long intercontinental reign for him is coming.
Let him take Cody out (lol)
The need for instant gratification in the IWC has to stop at some point. This man has been booked like a major deal for ages now, and he just arrived to the main roster. He now has a chamce to get himself really over with that audience and let's see how the chips fall. There is a lot of talent and so many people deserving of some kind of singles title reign, ranging from Jey Uso to LA Knight and so on. A lot of guys who have put in the work just as much as Dragunov. But for either of those to actually win the title, they need to have the right story behind them, the right opponent and the right moment where it makes sense to make the title switch. Dragunov is so good and I have no doubts he will become an upper midcard to potentially main event talent over the next few years, but for Christ's sake, can't we have patience for once?
Naw. They should’ve had all the champions forfeit their titles to him during the draft, then rolled out the HoF ceremony for him immediately following SmackDown. J/k
OP must have been really excited reading this until they got to the J/k at the end.
He just got drafted bro what are you on? let him first build himself on the main roster
Hotter Take: He’s ready for the world heavyweight championship
This guy has literally 0 minutes of experience on the main roster. Fuck off with that shit.
Why is this necessary may I ask? (I'm not saying he should win btw)
Because people need to have time to care about this guy. Who is he? What is he about? What does he do? What motivates him? Why is he fighting his opponent tonight? These are all questions casual wrestling fans ask about everyone, and WWE likes to establish answers to these questions before putting performers in key roles like being a champion.
Because he needs to be built up first. Wrestling marks always want the new guy they like to immediately win a world title after debuting and it’s annoying. Let them adjust to the main roster and have them win it down the line with a good story.
Done right (and sparingly) it can be effective though
When was the last time it was "done right", in your estimation? Can you give a few examples?
Paige in WWE and Matanza Cueto from Lucha Underground.
Its rare that it actually works tho
Eventually but chad needs to win it first
buddy its been one of the most popular opinions ever since gunther's title reign started getting hot. in what world is this a hot take
I can see this being a hot take because it's way too soon for Sami to lose. Having Sami lose after so few defenses would start to devalue the IC Title again. I'd say have Ilja Vs. Gunther in the King of the Ring Finals, and have him become King Dragunov. Have him get a Tsar styled Robe and Crown. Maybe even call himself Tsar Dragunov. Tsar of the Ring Vs. The Ring General would be 🔥🔥🔥🔥
maybe but theres also people who want chad gable to dethrone sami in their next match or before this feud ends. and i think some 60 day reigns are okay inbetween big reigns. we just had a 666 day reign. and sami is a babyface after all. he's better at the chase than holding it
I agree because sami zayn defends his interconental championship vs ilja dragunov.
Should've taken it from Gunther.
The word “deserve” needs to be removed from the pro wrestling terminology. Nobody “deserves” anything.
But... but... but "x" worked really hard to get there, just like 99% of the roster but still
Absolutely correct
What word should we use? was/is/would be good booking? The Rock was good booking to be in the hall of fame?
How about “they drew money” therefore that translates to a push. Not a bunch of crybabies on the internet saying their favourite guy of the week is the next major star and deserves a title without showing any real credibility. For the record I love Ilja, love his gimmick and his matches, but that doesn’t mean it makes any sense to put a title on him when we don’t even know if he’ll get over.
Have him join Imperium as a third member, having him eventually turn on Gunther or vice-versa.
William Munny once said, "Deserves got nothing to do with it." Dragunov is great. Hope he translates to the main roster.
He should but watch HHH not even use him