5 Best WWE Superstars from the UK

WWE is home to wrestlers from all over the world. In the last two decades, WWE has increased their visibility and has attracted more and more superstars from different continents.

The United Kingdom, in particular, has been home to many past and future WWE superstars. Although there are yet to be multiple WWE title holders from the UK, there have been a number of secondary title holders who hail from the United Kingdom.

WWE has held several live events in the UK. In 1992, after trying several live supercard events in the UK, the WWE held its first ever PPV across the pond. SummerSlam1992, which featured the British Bulldog challenging Bret Hart for the IC title, was the first such event. Since then, WWE has held numerous PPVs in the UK as it has become a hotbed for WWE.

Free television has also been a major part of the WWE’s exposure in the UK. Both SmackDown and Raw have held numerous shows overseas over the last several years. WWE’s NXT product has been featured in the UK.

Starting in 2016, NXT UK has aired on a weekly basis. WWE has also been broadcast in the UK since 1980s. More than a generation of people in the UK have now grown up on WWE wrestling.

WWE has continued to add to their talent pool with superstars from the UK. The list continues to grow and it will only be a matter of time before a number of WWE future champions come from the UK. Here is the list of the 5 best WWE superstars from the UK to this point.

#5. WWE’s teacher extraordinaire, Fit Finley.

A long-time superstar in both WCW and WWE, Fit Finley left his mark first as a wrestler and today as a teacher. He's one of the people behind the scenes credited with helping to elevate women’s wrestling in WWE. Finley’s no nonsense, physical toughness as a wrestler has been replaced by a thoughtful, caring style as a teacher.

Finley first came to prominence in WCW from 1996 to 2001. While there, he would win his first title in a major American promotion by beating Booker T to win the WCW World Television title.

He would go on to wrestle a number of matches with the belt before dropping the strap back to Booker T. After an injury sidelined him for nearly a year, Finley returned to perform in WCW right up until the company was purchased by Vince McMahon and WWE.

Finley initially came to WWE as a talent agent and his first two proteges were John Cena and Randy Orton. He moved on to work with the women before making his in-ring return in 2004. One of Finley’s biggest feuds was with Bobby Lashley. He eventually added the WWE US championship to his resume when he defeated Lashley for the belt.

Since 2012, he has served as a trainer for the likes of Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Rhonda Rousey. Finley’s contributions both in and out of the ring earn him a spot on this list.

#4. WWE’s GM, William Regal

In many ways, William Regal’s career mirrors that of Fit Finley. He has been an ambassador for WWE both in and out of the ring.

Currently, Regal serves as the GM of WWE NXT and has served as commissioner of WWE’s Raw in the past as well. Younger fans may only know Regal as an authority figure but he carved out a solid career in the ring before this.

Regal, like Finley, first came into the public eye in WCW. Then known as Lord Steven Regal, he would go on to win the WCW World Television title on four separate occasions.

He was also the leader of a heel faction called the Blue Bloods that unsuccessfully competed for the WCW tag titles against the Steiner brothers. He may be most famously remembered in WCW for his “shoot-style” match with Bill Goldberg during the height of Goldberg’s run in WCW.

After a brief stint with the WWE in late 1990s, Regal returned full time to WWE in 2000. Now under the name William Regal, Regal would go on to capture a number of titles in WWE: European title (4x), Intercontinental title (2x), WWE Hardcore title (5x) and WWE tag titles (4x).

Regal also won the King of the Ring tournament in 2008 before finally retiring from in-ring duties in 2014. Since then, he has served as the GM of NXT and has trained several superstars behind the scenes.

Like Fit Finley, a lot of William Regal’s great work has been done behind the scenes. And, also like Finley, his total body of work in and out of the ring cannot be ignored.

#3. Here’s the bad news WWE, Wade Barrett.

Wade Barrett’s meteoric rise in WWE was almost as quick as his eventual disappearance.

Starting out in NXT, Barrett quickly moved up the ranks. The 6’7” Lancaster, England native had the looks, the mic work and the skills necessary to get an instant push. His first claim to fame in WWE was as the leader of Nexus, a militant group aimed at destroying the WWE. A group of NXT rookies stormed Monday Night Raw and attacked John Cena and special ref Vince McMahon. WWE was officially put on notice.

Barrett was the initial breakout star of the group and would go on to have a feud with John Cena. He was unsuccessful in gaining the WWE championship and soon was competing for the IC title. Barrett would go on to defeat Kofi Kingston to claim his first title.

Barrett would eventually have to leave the WWE due to work visa issues and would not return for two years. His eventual return would be 'bad news' for WWE superstars.

Barrett’s return in 2013 brought about his “bad news” character in which Barrett would get on the mic and tell the audience about his bad news. The character became a huge hit. Barrett’s catchphrase would be repeated by WWE audiences as he spoke.

He again won the IC title and competed for the WWE Heavyweight title as well. Finally, Barrett would win the King of the Ring tournament. Barrett would eventually form another faction known as the League of Nations with Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and Rusev. The group had a feud with The New Day that led to a WrestleMania match.

Barrett would eventually be released in 2016. His in-ring accomplishments include winning the IC title (5x) and King of the Ring in 2015. He has recently returned as a commentator on NXT but there are many WWE fans hoping he will eventually return to a WWE ring.

#2. WWE’s British bulldog, Davey Boy Smith.

Prior to the #1 superstar on this list, some would have probab;y guessed that Davey Boy Smith would have been the first UK superstar to win WWE Championship gold.

Davey Boy Smith arrived in WWE in 1984 along with the Dynamite Kid and instantly became one of the company’s best and most popular tag teams. The pair would eventually capture tag team gold in 1986 before injuries and personal problems between the two disbanded the tag team.

Davey Boy would return to WWE in 1990 but this time as a singles star known as the British Bulldog. Smith would be in the role of a midcard star feuding with many of the WWE’s muscle-bound heels of the time. He would also be crucial for Vince McMahon in headlining the WWE’s European tours.

Smith would be rewarded for his efforts in 1992. He was given the chance to headline WWE’s SummerSlam against brother-in-law Bret Hart at Wembley Stadium for the IC Title. The Bulldog would capture the IC title in front of 80,000 screaming fans.

During the height of WWE’s steroid scandal, Smith was released. In 1994, he came back and again had a successful midcard run and nearly won the 1995 Royal Rumble. He was one of the two final competitors along with Shawn Michaels. The Bulldog thought he had the match won, but Michaels famously kept his feet from hitting the floor and threw out Smith.

The Bulldog’s final run would be as a member of the Hart Foundation. His demons outside the ring would eventually get the best of him and he passed away in 2002 at the age of 40.

Dave Boy Smith may have dealt with some ups and downs in his career, but few could question his dominance in the ring. He was a tag team champion, IC champion and European champion in WWE. His enshrinement in the WWE Hall of Fame cemented his legacy.

#1. WWE’s first UK WWE champion, Drew McIntyre.

Drew McIntyre almost had a career that would have been considered a major letdown. Brought into the WWE in 2007, the 6’5” Scotsman was handpicked to be Vince McMahon’s next great star.

After a rough start, McIntyre was brought down for more training before returning to WWE in 2009. He would win the Intersontinental title but never the hearts of WWE fans. His run ended when his visa expired in 2010.

McIntyre’s time in WWE from 2010 to 2014 was uneventful. WWE could not find a way to get the WWE Universe interested in him. He would eventually be part of a faction called the Three Man Band, or 3MB with Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal. Basically, the trio were put together as three wrestlers that didn’t have a direction. They were used to elevate talent until finally, McIntyre was released from his contract in 2014.

Finally, in 2017, McIntyre returned to WWE, first in NXT. He had a new look with long black hair and a beard. He had put on serious muscle and looked like a wrecking machine. McIntyre would go on to capture the NXT championship before dropping the belt to make his return to the main roster.

Since his return, McIntyre has become the company’s 31st triple crown winner: Tag Team title, IC Title and WWE Heavyweight title. He won the Royal Rumble and defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Still in the midst of his run, the sky's the limit for Drew McIntyre.

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Who is your favorite WWE star ever from the United Kingdom? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.