10 Greatest British WWE Superstars in WWE History [Ranked]

The UK has a storied historical past with professional wrestling, and by extension, WWE. Whether or not you take a look at the times of World of Sport that includes the likes of Large Daddy and Large Haystacks, or the fashionable unbiased scene, Britain’s contribution to the trade merely can’t be downplayed. Maybe solely behind America and Japan, the UK has been a hotspot for high quality in-ring motion and memorable personalities.

Nonetheless, through the years, we’ve seen some really unimaginable British wrestlers pop up within the trade’s greatest promotion and really make a reputation for themselves. Notably within the trendy period, when WWE started actively scouting the UK marketplace for expertise, there’s been an enormous inflow of British wrestlers getting their shot on the world stage.

Whereas shut neighbours the Republic of Eire can boast the likes of Becky Lynch, Finn Balor and Sheamus amongst their very own, Nice Britain is not far behind by way of star energy down the years. Under is a take a look at the ten best British Superstars in WWE historical past.

10

Alba Fyre

Alba Fyre first got here into WWE as a part of the 2017 Mae Younger Traditional, when the corporate put a heavy concentrate on ladies’s expertise, and he or she turned essential to NXT UK. Then generally known as Kay Lee Ray, she had a robust NXT UK Girls’s Championship reign that spanned 649 days. She was a key determine for the model via the pandemic.

Fyre bought her fundamental roster break whereas competing alongside Isla Daybreak in a tandem. The pair even received the Girls’s Tag Workforce Championship in entrance of their native viewers in Glasgow at Conflict At The Citadel 2024.

After Daybreak was launched by the corporate, Fyre went on to be featured as a part of Chelsea Inexperienced’s Secret Hervice on SmackDown. She continues to impress within the position.

9

Pete Dunne

When The Bruiserweight got here into WWE, he was instantly a menace. In 2017, the corporate held a two-day match to find out the first-ever NXT UK Champion, and, regardless of not profitable, Dunne was an absolute standout. When the then 23-year-old shocked followers by attacking Sam Gradwell earlier than the match, WWE’s motive was clear: make Pete Dunne a star. From there, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he dethroned Tyler Bate and launched into a 685-day run with the gold.

So far as his in-ring work goes, Dunne’s type is not like some other. His offence is predicated on joint manipulation, and opponents can’t assist however grimace when the Brit will get a maintain of their fingers. His distinctive type has helped him have success on Uncooked and SmackDown in numerous roles.

Dunne can be well-respected backstage and has reportedly begun coaching as a producer for WWE.

8

Dynamite Child

Though his time in WWE was fleeting by the requirements of some in these rankings, Dynamite Child was a real trailblazer for performers of smaller stature. The true-life Tom Billington launched a high-flying, hard-hitting junior heavyweight type of wrestling to WWE that many Superstars would come to emulate, together with the likes of Kurt Angle and Daniel Bryan.

As a part of the British Bulldogs tag workforce with Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite received the Tag Workforce Championships at WrestleMania 2, with music legend Ozzy Osbourne by the pair’s aspect.

7

Neville

Earlier than NXT turned the powerhouse it went on to be within the late 2010s, its early days have been powered by the person then generally known as Adrian Neville. Nicknamed ‘The Man That Gravity Forgot’, the Newcastle-born star took high-flying offence to a complete new degree. He was additionally the proper heel champion, standing between Sami Zayn and the NXT Championship. On the principle roster, he was a two-time Cruiserweight Champion, and likewise recurrently wrestled the likes of Chris Jericho and Seth Rollins on Uncooked.

In some ways, Neville opened the door for equally proficient British wrestlers to search out their method to worldwide recognition, going to DragonGate in Japan and later arriving on American TV.

6

Finlay

Having spent years on worldwide tv with WCW, Finlay was already change into well-known by the point he joined WWE as a street agent in 2001. Nonetheless, except for just a few matches in 2004, he didn’t change into a full-time member of the roster till 2006. Nonetheless, he confirmed that he was extremely expert, and even captured the USA Championship not lengthy after his return to competitors.

As of late, Finlay finds himself working with the following crop of WWE superstars. Not solely did the Northern Irishman break via to change into a British Celebrity in WWE, however he has helped form the way forward for the trade.

5

Paige

Paige was pivotal in bringing about change for feminine Superstars in WWE. Typically, individuals credit score the 4 Horsewomen in the case of the ‘Divas Revolution’. Nonetheless, it may very well be argued that it was the Norwich-born star that first began difficult the stereotypes of a WWE ladies’s wrestler whereas in NXT. Having the nickname ‘The Anti-Diva’, every little thing about Paige was completely different from what was recurrently seen on WWE tv.

She stood out for her wrestling capacity, however Paige’s place in historical past was cemented when she shocked the world by capturing the Divas Championship from AJ Lee on the RAW after WrestleMania 30. At simply 21 years outdated, Paige had the flexibility to hold a title on the principle roster. Had her profession not been derailed by harm and private points, she would probably have gone from power to power.

4

Wade Barrett

When Wade Barrett debuted on the principle roster as a part of The Nexus, many individuals had him pegged as a future WWE Champion. Regardless of the developmental system not essentially churning out the top-quality expertise that the corporate have been after round 2010, it was evident to all that the Preston-born star had tons of charisma and may very well be a incredible heel character.

From there, Barrett went on to win a complete of 5 Intercontinental Championships, though many are nonetheless perplexed about how he by no means bought his fingers on any of WWE’s high gold. His ‘Unhealthy Information’ character was a selected spotlight of its time, and the Brit’s booming voice is so recognisable that he returned to do commentary for NXT in 2020, and now finds himself calling the motion on SmackDown alongside Joe Tessitore.

3

William Regal

Equally to Match Finlay, William Regal in WCW, discovered success as a four-time TV Champion earlier than signing with WWE first in 1998 and once more in 2000. Right here, he confirmed absolute versatility, performing excellently in each face and heel alignments whereas choosing up a myriad of title victories and taking over many alternative on-screen roles. He turned a five-time Hardcore Champion, four-time European Champion and a two-time Intercontinental Champion, in addition to having a spell because the Commissioner throughout his days as an lively roster member.

Regal was an entire all-rounder after his in-ring profession was over, too. Being the NXT Normal Supervisor, he oversaw the model’s rise within the mid-2010s. The Blackpool native has additionally given again to the trade in various backstage roles.

2

British Bulldog

The ‘British Bulldog’ Davey Boy Smith was really a trailblazer so far as British Superstars go. The Manchester-born wrestler proudly displayed the Union Jack on his ring gear and went on to have two stints with the World Tag Workforce, Hardcore and European Championships respectively. Nonetheless, it was his Intercontinental Championship victory that went down as probably the most iconic title adjustments in historical past.

Representing the UK in England’s capital metropolis, he battled Bret Hart at Wembley Stadium over the distinguished mid-card gold at SummerSlam 1992. These contained in the well-known venue have been determined to see their compatriot safe a win, and when he reversed a sundown flip till a pinfall for 1-2-3, the explosion of noise from the group was deafening. Think about simply what number of Brits sat inside Wembley and watching all over the world have been impressed to change into wrestlers due to that second. The ripple impact it had on British wrestling should not be underestimated, and the late Celebrity richly deserves this second-placed rating.

1

Drew McIntyre

The one British Celebrity to ever be capable of name himself WWE Champion, McIntyre has now received that title thrice in his profession and, general, is a four-time world champion in WWE. His present reign started when he defeated Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship in a Three Levels of Hell match in Berlin, Germany. Issues have not all the time been simple for Drew, although.

Coming in as The Chosen One, the Scotsman all the time had the potential to go far on the massive stage, however it didn’t work out for him at first. After McIntyre discovered himself within the notorious 3MB steady, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than his first run with WWE was delivered to an finish, as he was launched in June 2014. But, after The Scottish Warrior re-invented himself and made a return to the British unbiased scene, WWE couldn’t ignore his enchancment.

Except for his 4 world title triumphs, McIntyre has additionally received the Royal Rumble and Cash within the Financial institution. He’s additionally a multi-time tag workforce champion. Drew is the shining instance of a British wrestler creating his personal path to the highest and excelling in WWE.