Exclusive Interview with WWE Superstar Ilja Dragunov: Passion, Persistence, and Wrestling In this episode of Good News York, host Mike Brindisi talks with WWE Superstar Ilja Dragunov. Ilja shares his inspiring story of moving from Russia to Germany as a child, the challenges he and his mother faced adapting to a new language and life, and how those experiences shaped his wrestling career. Dragunov discusses his wrestling influences, the physical demands of his profession, and the emotional depth he brings to his performances. He also touches on his signature wrestling moves, including the Constantine Special named after his son, and his approach to handling injuries and competition. The episode includes a segment where Brindisi and Dragunov discuss potential dream matches and the future of WWE, along with a fun rapid-fire round of questions. The show concludes with playful banter and a preview of WWE Live's holiday tour event in Syracuse on January 1, 2026. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York 00:37 Special Guest: WWE Superstar Ilja Dragunov 01:51 Ilja Dragunov's Early Life and Career Beginnings 05:09 The Journey to WWE Stardom 11:28 Injuries and Comebacks 14:01 Signature Moves and Inspirations 18:42 Future Aspirations and Dream Matches 21:45 The Changing Landscape of WWE 25:36 Upcoming WWE Live Holiday Tour 28:18 Rapid Fire Questions with Ilja Dragunov 30:56 Closing Remarks and Farewell
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.