AEW star Ilja Dragunov has revealed his wrestling inspirations. The former WWE star is known for his hard-hitting style and his matches often feel like real fights inside the ring.

AEW star Ilja Dragunov reveals his wrestling inspirations

Speaking in an interview with TMZ Sports, Dragunov recently discussed his influences and explained how several legends shaped his approach. His inspirations include wrestlers from different wrestling backgrounds.

He said, “So when I started to do to pursue professional wrestling, I had different influences that made me start. And it wasn’t necessarily the American wrestling-ish style or however you would call it. Like, my role models are [the] Kabashis, Mako Satamuras. Terry Funks, Roddy Pipers. William Regals. And coming from continental Europe, we have our own legends like Axe Dieter, Klaus Karlhoff, René Lazartes.”

He believes wrestling should feel physical and authentic. “These are — where I come from, and what people inspired me, professional wrestlers are fighters. And that’s how we entertain. We don’t entertain first and then we are fighters or portraying fighters; we are fighters in the first place.”

He discussed joining AEW and believes AEW allows wrestlers to express their craft. “Coming over to the States is definitely of course, like a different direction. But this is the beautiful thing about AEW being a place for people who are really expressing this craft. Like, people being there like a Samoa Joe, who was highly influential on me when I didn’t even know how to put on a wristlock. To know that this person is there for instance, just as an example — yeah, it clicks with me and resonates with me. And I feel like, ‘Okay, okay, that feels good.'” [H/T: 411mania]

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