Summary

Ilja Dragunov does not want praise for Trick Williams' development in the ring, even after their NXT matches helped elevate Williams into a bigger spotlight.

Speaking during WrestleMania 42 weekend, Dragunov said Williams deserves the credit for his own progression. He acknowledged that chemistry matters between opponents, but made it clear he sees Williams' growth, presence and connection with fans as something Williams built for himself.

That lines up with how Williams has talked about his own standards lately, including his recent insistence that strong ring work is non-negotiable as his profile continues to grow in WWE.

Quote from Ilja Dragunov

When Dragunov was asked about his role in Williams reaching another level as a main event performer, he said:

"People are saying this but, that's all Trick's work... Of course, it's always two parties in a match... Three at least because you have always a ref in the match. But, I don't want anyone to give me the flowers for Trick's progression because, this guy just had the opportunity, and of course I was a bit more experienced in that sense for sure. But he was ready. It's just like a person who is waiting for a particular spot and you give him someone who just wants to work with him, and I was very heavily pushed in NXT times, from the get-go, and I was just working with him, and had fights that I thought made sense. But all the stuff that made him with 'Whoop that Trick' and his presence and his aura, that is all his work and I don't wanna take any credit for that..."

Dragunov later went on to say:

"Because I hit him very hard. And that's okay because I'm not very happy when people don't hit me hard back. That's boring to me."

What Dragunov's comments say about Trick Williams now

Dragunov pointing to Williams' aura and "Whoop that Trick" momentum matters because it frames Williams' rise as more than a case of getting carried by a veteran opponent. With Williams set to challenge Sami Zayn for the United States Championship on night two of WrestleMania 42, the timing of those comments reinforces that WWE is presenting him as a star who earned this spot.

It also says something about how Williams' NXT run is being viewed in hindsight. Dragunov clearly believes those matches worked because Williams was already ready for the moment, not because someone else dragged him there.

Sources

Ilja Dragunov on The Ringer Wrestling Show