John Cena has interacted with a lot of young and upcoming talent in WWE during his recent run. Cena recently visited the WWE Performance Center and NXT. During his visit, Cena interacted with several NXT talents, including the reigning NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov.

In a recent turn of events, Dragunov found himself on the receiving end of a unique and invaluable experience. The 16-time World Champion shared some meaningful advice with the Mad Dragon during the visit.  

Ilja Dragunov’s meaningful chat with John Cena

Ilja Dragunov, the reigning WWE NXT Champion, celebrated his birthday in style by successfully defending his title against Dominik Mysterio. The match had taken place on 10th October. The NXT landscape is currently graced by the presence of this 30-year-old top star, known for his fierce in-ring abilities. On the October 10 episode of the USA Network show, wrestling icons such as Cena, The Undertaker, Asuka, and Cody Rhodes made special appearances.

Dragunov’s next challenge as the “Mad Dragon” is set to unfold in the main event of the second week of Halloween Havoc on NXT. In a recent interview with TV Insider, Dragunov was asked about his interaction with John Cena and the advice he received. He said,  “It wasn’t a long conversation. What I really appreciated was him just randomly pulling me aside. This was something that doesn’t happen every day. He spoke about making moments and building a connection. That is what we were talking about.” 

He also stated, “He gives you a whole different perspective, even when you may have the same opinion on things. When you have his approval, then you have the right mindset for this business, and you are on the right path.”

Dragunov expressed his gratitude for the impromptu conversation. He did emphasize that Cena’s insights on creating moments and building connections offered a unique perspective and that it helped in shaping the right mindset for success in the wrestling business.

This time, he has put his championship belt on the line against Carmelo Hayes on the 31 October NXT Halloween Havoc special. This extends their fierce rivalry, which includes two classic matches at the Great American Bash and No Mercy. Not too long ago Dragunov defeated Hayes and won the NXT Championship. 

Dragunov’s NXT Championship victory at No Mercy 2023

Ilja Dragunov won the NXT Championship at No Mercy 2023 by defeating Carmelo Hayes. The match took place on 30th September. The win came after a contentious build-up, starting with their previous encounter at the Great American Bash, where Hayes retained the title with Trick Williams‘ controversial interference. Dragunov then defeated Williams in a match on NXT TV, fostering a rift between him and Hayes.

Dragunov earned another title opportunity by defeating Wes Lee and strategically sowing discord between Hayes and Williams. NXT: No Mercy marked the pinnacle of their rivalry, culminating in Dragunov’s victory and solidifying his status as the number one guy on the brand.

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What do you think about the advice Cena gave to Dragunov? Share your views in the comments sections below.