Ilja Dragunov has finally addressed the backlash over his interaction with Brock Lesnar at the WWE Royal Rumble.

Dragunov entered the men’s Royal Rumble at number 17 and lasted just over 10 minutes before facing Lesnar. The former WWE star hit The Beast Incarnate with many chops. However, Lesnar was unfazed, screamed in Dragunov’s face, and threw him over the top rope.

The moment frustrated many fans, who criticized Lesnar for not selling Dragunov’s chops. However, the newly signed AEW star sees things differently.

Ilja Dragunov reacts to Brock Lesnar no-selling him at WWE Royal Rumble

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, Dragunov addressed fans who felt Lesnar disrespected him during the Royal Rumble.

Dragunov started by thanking fans who expressed their disdain on his behalf. He appreciated their passion and support throughout his career. However, he made it clear that he never expected to overpower Lesnar.

“If you really understand the persona that I have been in the ring for the most part of the time, I’ve been facing monsters. And at the end of the day, you can’t change certain things. You have a person like Brock Lesnar standing in front of you. Most people would run away as soon as that happens. That’s simply what would happen,” Dragunov explained.

However, Ilja Dragunov believes running away would go against everything his character stands for.

“But me, as Ilja Dragunov, who is tough mentally and physically, I think for what I was given and how this whole situation occurred, I did the best I could do about it. And I can’t change anything about it,” he added.

Dragunov doesn’t see his Royal Rumble elimination as a humiliating moment. Instead, he believes showing vulnerability has helped make him a memorable name in pro wrestling.

“My best career moments were made by my vulnerability. I wasn’t becoming a name by being the person who dominates at all times. I became a name in moments where I got beaten down, beaten down badly; I don’t know how good the camera angle is, but my nose is actually making a right turn because it has been broken a couple of times. But it’s always the way I fought back and how I recovered after those moments because these moments make great stories,” he said.

Dragunov sees value in playing someone who is willing to challenge a monster, no matter the consequences. Although he admitted the segment could have played out differently, he also pointed out that he couldn’t know whether another approach would have led to a better result.

In the end, he revealed that he hadn’t spent much time thinking about what happened.

“So I don’t see this as defeat. I’m glad that people are upset for me. And maybe it could have worked out a different way. I don’t know today. But I can tell you so much that I didn’t spare a second or third thought about it,” Dragunov said.