Gunther must introduce 30-year-old as new member of Imperium 

Former Intercontinental Champion Gunther's Imperium seemingly lost a member after Ludwig Kaiser shockingly attacked Giovanni Vinci on RAW tonight (April 23). Vinci was pinned in a tag team defeat to The New Day and Kaiser let his frustrations get the better of him, venting it on the Italian superstar.

This leaves Imperium short of numbers heading into the 2024 WWE Draft. It doesn't appear that The Ring General wants to end things with Ludwig Kaiser and could turn to his former foe Ilja Dragunov.

The NXT Champion is seemingly main roster bound and appeared on the RAW after WrestleMania XL. He beat Shinsuke Nakamura and many expect him to lose his title against Trick Williams at NXT Spring Breakin'.

This would allow The Mad Dragon to become a RAW or SmackDown Superstar without his belt. It would also allow him to partner with Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser.

The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion and Ilja Dragunov went to war during NXT UK. They put on two instant classics and many are pining to see them lock horns on the main roster.

However, what if the starting point of their eventual and eagerly desired rematch comes from a partnership? It's time Gunther shakes things up and adds Ilja Dragunov to Imperium.

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Gunther may feel Imperium needs a new direction after his WrestleMania defeat

Gunther was Intercontinental Champion for a record-breaking 666 days before losing the title to Sami Zayn at WrestleMania XL. The Ring General dominated each contender that came his way but couldn't prevail against The Underdog from the Underground.

The 36-year-old was absent from the two episodes of RAW that followed 'Mania. He was understandably furious with losing his title and might place the blame on Imperium.

Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci never won the WWE Tag Team Championship. This might have irked the Austrian heavyweight as he would have wanted his stable to have all the gold.

Thus, Gunther may have plotted to remove Vinci from the group as he perceived him as the weak link. He could have decided to call upon Ilja Dragunov who he knows can succeed given his current NXT Championship reign.

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The Ring General thinks Ilja Dragunov has 'unlimited potential'

Ilja Dragunov was majorly impressive during his NXT Title reign with his incredible in-ring ability. He's a unique talent who many deem to be the future of the Stamford-based company.

Gunther appears to share those views of the Russian and his former NXT UK foe. He said in an interview on the Cheap Heat podcast last year that The Mad Dragon has "unlimited potential."

"I think obviously, Ilja Dragunov, he's in NXT now, has unlimited potential. Like a fantastic wrestler but also a very intense character, very outstanding character." [H/T Wrestling Inc]

The Mad Dragon evidently has an admirer in the former Intercontinental Champion. The pair have squared off but perhaps they'll be an even more formidable duo working together with Ludwig Kaiser's brain to pick.

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Ilja Dragunov was under consideration to join Imperium last year

Ilja Dragunov's name has been constantly touted as a potential main roster call-up and to make the step up by joining Imperium. PWInsider reported last summer that WWE was talking about calling the Russian superstar up and having him join Gunther's group.

That didn't happen but there has always been a feeling that Dragunov will eventually reconnect with The Ring General in one way or another. He has been a lovable workhorse in developmental but putting him in a group could help him get to grips with the main roster.

Gunther needs to stun fans by aligning himself with Ilja Dragunov. Both are future main eventers and working together they could take Imperium to Bloodline and Judgment Day levels.