Welcome to Good News York, Episode 128!
In this exclusive episode, host Mike Brindisi sits down with WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov for an in-depth, inspiring conversation. From his early days in Moscow and Dresden to his rise as a WWE superstar, Ilja shares his journey, the challenges of immigration, the influence of his mother, and the passion that fuels his wrestling career. We cover his signature moves, dream matches, thoughts on the future of WWE, and what fans can expect at the upcoming WWE Live Holiday Tour in Syracuse.
Whether you’re a die-hard wrestling fan or love stories of resilience and success, this episode is packed with insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and motivational moments.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
00:32 – Mike Brindisi on Hosting Solo & WWE Belts
01:04 – Ilja Dragunov’s WWE Achievements
01:25 – Welcoming Ilja Dragunov
01:49 – Ilja’s Childhood: Moving from Russia to Germany
02:36 – The Influence of Ilja’s Mother
03:20 – Early Jobs & Discovering Wrestling
05:20 – The Start of Ilja’s Wrestling Journey
06:41 – Expressing Passion in the Ring
07:49 – Wrestling Style & Influences (Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, etc.)
09:40 – Being a Polarizing Performer
10:31 – Injuries, Recovery, and WWE Career
12:21 – Overcoming Adversity & Mindset
13:41 – Signature Moves & Entrance Music
15:00 – The Story Behind the Constantine Special
16:20 – Creative Process in WWE
18:21 – Open Challenges & Dream Opponents
19:41 – Dream Matches: Living or Dead
21:18 – Thoughts on WWE’s Future & New Generation
22:41 – Advice from Legends (Cena, Orton, etc.)
24:51 – WWE Ownership Changes
25:43 – WWE Live Holiday Tour in Syracuse
26:07 – House Shows vs. Live Tapings
27:08 – What Fans Can Expect from Ilja
27:45 – Rapid Fire Questions
29:00 – Final Words & Plugs
30:00 – Outro & Sponsor Shoutouts
Links:
Good News York: https://www.goodnewsyork.com
Growth Mode Tech: https://www.growthmodetech.com
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