What if 30-year-old WWE champion is the mastermind behind Ludwig Kaiser's betrayal on RAW?

This week's WWE RAW saw one of the most shocking betrayals take place when Ludwig Kaiser turned on his Imperium stablemate Giovanni Vinci. The German destroyed his former tag team partner by throwing him into the apron and then dropkicking the Italian superstar into steel steps.

Fans are pondering why Kaiser betrayed Giovanni Vinci. Gunther walked away from his Imperium partners and seemingly put their friendship to one side to focus on himself. This could result in WWE NXT Champion Ilja Dragunovs official call-up to the main roster.

Dragunov appeared on the RAW after WrestleMania XL and defeated Shinsuke Nakamura. The Mad Dragon has plenty of history with Gunther and Imperium that could make for an enthralling storyline on the main roster.

The NXT Champion looks to be finishing up his business in development ahead of the 2024 WWE Draft. Triple H may have just found the perfect opening for the Russian-German brawler.

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Ludwig Kaiser could look to team up with WWE NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov

Ludwig Kaiser has been superb as Imperium leader Gunther's right-hand man. He has also shone in the ring, performing several stellar shows on RAW. Kaiser has spent most of his time on the WWE's main roster as a tag team star and could continue.

Ilja Dragunov is one of the most impressive athletes in WWE and is, for many, one of their brightest talents. Partnering him with Ludwig Kaiser, who has years of main roster experience, could help both of them.

The NXT Champion will defend the gold in a singles match against Trick Williams at NXT Spring Breakin' tomorrow night. He should drop the title and move onto the main roster, where he can plot mayhem with Ludwig Kaiser. Ilja Dragunov has seen the Kaiser's success in Imperium and working as Gunther's ally and may decide to partner up.

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Ilja Dragunov may have planned to end Imperium to get one over Gunther

Ilja Dragunov and Gunther put on one of the greatest matches in WWE history in October 2020. The two Europeans collided for the NXT UK Championship in a barnburner that many feel was a five-star classic.

Gunther won and successfully retained his NXT UK Championship but there may be unfinished business between the duo. The cracks that led to Imperium's implosion may have been forged by the Russian star.

In fact, Dragunov admitted that he felt he wasn't on RAW star Gunther's level when speaking in October 2023:

"I know, I’m good. I know that, like, I do, and do enough to prove that again and again and again. But knowing how great he is, and to have this feeling inside myself that I’m not even slightly on his level at the moment." [H/T Haus of Wrestling]

Thus, this may be Ilja Dragnuov's long-term plan of revenge against Gunther coming to fruition. He may want to prove he's the better man now that he's had an impressive NXT Championship reign under his belt.

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Ilja Dragunov didn't want to join Imperium

It was constantly rumored that Ilja Dragunov would join Imperium once he headed to the main roster. His European background and past collision with Gunther had fans concluding that he'd be the faction's fourth member.

However, Dragunov rubbished those suggestions by insisting that his character was completely different from RAW's former European stable. He said in October last year:

"There couldn’t be someone who is more different and opposite than me to Imperium. All of those guys are outstanding and supreme technical wrestlers. But they are cold and stoic. I’m the absolute opposite and all over the place, I can be nuts." [H/T Fightful Select]

It can't be denied that Ludwig Kaiser went 'nuts' when he turned on Giovanni Vinci on this week's RAW. It was similar rage that has become synonymous with the reigning NXT Champion but maybe there's good reason for it.