WWE have been sending well wishes to injured star Ilja Dragunov after the company confirmed he’s out with a long-term injury.

The Russian grappler, known for his hard-hitting style and high pain threshold, suffered the brutal set-back at a recent WWE live event.

Dragunov was a major name in NXT and NXT UKWWE

Wrestling world heavyweight champion Gunther in a bout at the weekend, Dragunov suffered what the company said was a suspected torn ACL.

Defeated by the champ on Saturday in Columbus, Georgia, Dragunov was tended to by a concerned referee after the scary setback but appeared determined to leave the ring and head back to the dressing room under his own steam.

A video shared on X showed the star saluting and applauding the crowd at the end of the encounter, still somehow managing to gingerly walk from the ring while clearly in some discomfort.

Footage aired on this week’s WWE Raw showed the referee attempting to assist him on his way back up the aisle, Dragunov ignoring that aid and making his own way, staggering in pain while making his way forward.

Announcing the initial prognosis during the broadcast, commentator Joe Tessitore said: “It is suspected that he has a torn ACL.

“The prognosis from our medical team is that Dragunov will be out of action for approximately six to nine months.”

The news will come as a major blow to the popular 30-year-old, who has been making major strides in the company over the last few months.

First signed To WWE in 2019, he was a star and champion in NXT UK before achieving similar success in NXT itself, his promotion to the ‘main’ roster coming with a switch to Raw earlier this year.

Since then, he’s featured in the King of the Ring tournament and challenged for the Intercontinental title to continue his momentum that’s now been cruelly halted by the injury.

The setback will dent WWE, too, who were clearly building him as one of its more robust and established stars, thanks to his in-ring durability and style that’s also won him his fair share of fans.

X/@cardboardjakThe rising star battled for the World Heavyweight title at a non-televised event[/caption]

WWE confirmed the major injury to Ilja Dragunov on Monday’s RawWWE

A number of those were the people rushing to wish him well, with one saying: “Wow. That’s awful… with the way he trains I bet he’s back in four months.”

Another bemoaned: “I can’t believe this man, Ilja was one of the few good things at Raw,” while another would said: “What a warrior for still waking back on his own power!”

One user made the bold prediction: “He will be back for the Rumble, gotta win that to face Gunther at Mania,” and another said: ‘Walking to the back with a torn ACL is unbelievable but very Ilja. What a bada**!’

The devastating ACL injury has wreaked havoc in WWE previously, the knee issue among the problems keeping multi-time former world champion Charlotte Flair on the shelf.

Flair suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus during a match against Asuka in late 2023 and has been out of action since.

Horrific for any athlete, ACL injuries are also common in the Premier League – Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri the latest high-profile figure to be struck after picking up the injury in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last month.

He underwent surgery last week and is expected to miss the rest of the season.