Ilja Dragunov returned to Smackdown last night and answered Sami Zayn’s U.S. title open challenge, winning the title thanks to some unwanted help from Solo Sikoa and the MFTs.

This was Dragunov’s first match in 13 months, with his last match coming in September 2024 in a defeat to Gunther at a non-televised live event match for the WWE World Heavyweight title.

The Russian star suffered a torn ACL and underwent surgery, keeping him out for an extended period.

Dragunov won the title after some distraction from Solo Sikoa, hitting his Torpedo Moscow after blocking the Helluva Kick and then delivering his H-Bomb finisher on Zayn for the three-count.

Zayn, Dragunov, and even Rey Fenix were then all assaulted by the MFTs following the match.