Ilya Rukober, better known as Ilja Dragunov, is globally recognised as a professional wrestler. Born on October 10, 1993, in Russia, Ilya soon moved to Germany along with his mother. In order to meet his family expenses, he started taking up multiple jobs.
After working at the pizza parlour as well as the gas station, he finally made his way to the pro wrestling industry. After spending almost a decade in the world of professional wrestling, there is much to explore about Ilja Dragunov, the current NXT Champion.
Ilja Dragunov and his childhood
Ilya Rukober, aka Ilja Dragunov, had a very tough childhood. After moving to Germany with his mother, the two looked for ways to manage their house. “It starts with standing in line for social security, being verbally abused because you don’t understand the language,” he once said, revealing the difficulties that came his way (via Sportskeeda).
Ilja never aspired to be a professional wrestler. Coming out of a tough childhood, Dragunov spent his time earning money for his family. “I had every c****y job there is. I worked at a gas station, I had a job as custodial staff, worked at a pizza parlour – that’s behind me now. I was screamed at by quite a number of people,” said Ilja Dragunov.
However, wrestling came as a blessing in disguise for Dragunov. Not only did it give him a long-term career, but it also awakened in his heart the fire and passion for the industry. Other than his career, he has also established his personal life in the most perfect manner.
Is Ilja Dragunov married?
Yes, Ilja Dragunov got married on December 17, 2021. The NXT star broke the news of his marriage via social media. Sharing a picture of himself with his wife, he wrote, “17.12.2021. Finally. Completely fulfilled.” The picture showed Ilja dressed in a navy blue suit and his better half in a beautiful white dress.
View this post on Instagram
Dragunov seems to be a very private person. Other than his wedding confirmation, nothing is known about his wife. However, the two appear to be long-term sweethearts. The couple is also parents to a 6-year-old boy named Constantine.
Also Read: Ilja Dragunov Nationality and Ethnicity: All You Need to Know About NXT Star’s Family and Upbringing
Dragunov credits a lot of his success to his son. He claimed that a lot of things changed after he became a father. His in-ring style also went through a transformation after he became a father. A lot awaits the NXT Champion. With a successful gold brand run, Ilja is sure to walk his way to the WWE’s main roster in the future.
