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The WWE has had a long history with UK wrestlers. Very much like the political scene right now, the UK and US wrestling scene share a special relationship. Even more so now, with the creation of the WWE United Kingdom Championship, and a long-awaited UK house show to boot.
With various British Indie companies thriving, and a weekly wrestling show being set up by a major broadcast company, the WWE have been goaded into acting fast to capitalise on the growing industry on the island nation.
Now it seems British-style wrestling is going through somewhat of a renaissance.
If you ask anyone around in the 60s, 70s or 80s from the UK about wrestling, they would ecstatically talk about heroes like Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Kendo Nagasaki and Mick McManus. All of these were big stars, possibly even more famous than Hulk Hogan amongst the UK audiences.
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So, after a downward spiral in recent history, where UK wrestling wasn't available to television audiences, the WWE took over the monopoly. Now, there seems to be a desire from the UK audiences to secure a new-look British wrestling scene. Sure, that may be as a sub-section of the WWE, but it is a chance to showcase UK talent on a global scale.
The future looks bright. However, it is important to recognise the British wrestlers within the WWE who have carried the torch thus far, aiding the evolution of UK wrestling.
This list will look at the best wrestlers from the UK to have competed in the WWE, the criteria being not just their in-ring ability, but also their mic work, storytelling, backstage work and influence amongst the WWE universe.
#10 Layla
It seems fitting to start off the list with the first UK national to win the WWE women's championship.
Layla deserves her place on the list for stamping her authority as a serious contender in the women's division for several years. She began her WWE career after winning the 2006 Divas search, fending off talent in the form of to-be WWE superstars Rosa Mendes and Maryse.
Layla had a tumultuous time during her career in the WWE. She spent her early years finding her feet, developing new angles and swapping between Face and Heel. One of the highlights was her managing Jamie Noble and William Regal. The British star found herself weighing up her options before aligning with her compatriot to form an impressive partnership.
Layla's most successful stint was as one half of the villainous stable known as LayCool, alongside her in-ring 'bestie', Michelle McCool. Aside from the co-champion plot line that saw Layla grasp her first official title in 2010, the British bombshell also captured the Divas Championship in 2012.
When we look back on Layla's career, what we see is a talented individual who contributed some interesting moments and memorable championship reigns.
#9 Jack Gallagher
Jack has made an impressive start to his WWE career. After his introduction into the Cruiserweight Division, he has developed quite a fan-following.
Considered somewhat of a new-age William Regal, Gallagher has entertained fans with his English gentleman gimmick. Showing off a nicely trimmed moustache, a classy suit, and an extremely blunt-force-resistant umbrella, Jack is the stand-out character within the division.
Jack has already made an appearance in the Royal Rumble, and he got his first title opportunity against Neville at the 2017 Pay Per View, Fastlane.
After a recent heel turn, the Posh Prince will be aiming to prove his worth to the WWE. If so, Jack could well become an established character within the Cruiserweight Division.
Although the British-stereotyped characters are now being turned on their heads in favour of positive popularity, Jack is keen on proving that the traditional English look and style is best for business.
#8 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre was once known as 'The Chosen One', introduced to the WWE as 'The Next Big Thing' by Vince McMahon himself.
McIntyre was certainly set up to have a lengthy and successful career at the top of the WWE. However, for one reason or another, that never transpired. The Scot saw his 'Chosen One' status replaced after becoming a member of 3MB.
It was sad to see someone with such potential being used for nonsensical plots and storylines merely to make the crowd laugh. It was inevitable that after a period at the bottom of the pile, Drew was eventually going to be moved on.
With a resurgence in the indies, and developing a very impressive new physique, Drew was welcomed back into the WWE, to regain his feet in NXT.
Now the NXT champion, it seems likely that WWE have restored their faith in McIntyre, giving him the opportunity to fulfil his long-lasting prophecy.
#7 Paige
For such a young competitor within the WWE, Paige has accomplished so much. The inaugural NXT Women's champion, Paige is also the youngest ever holder of a WWE women's title. In what was an impressive debut, she picked up the WWE Diva's championship off of AJ, after an impromptu title match on the first Raw that followed Wrestlemania in 2014.
However, she could have accomplished so much more.
Paige has been absent from a WWE ring for well over a year now, and there is much anticipation of her return. It will, no doubt, take her some time to re-establish herself within the Women's Division.
The story of her meteoric rise from a small town girl in the east of England, to the woman responsible for the women's revolution, will be making its way to cinema halls soon. Helmed by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Stephen Merchant, 'Fighting With My Family' will aim to share The Diva of Tomorrow's story with a much wider audience.
#6 Tyler Bate
Tyler Bate is another one for the future.
Aside from the independent scene, the young lad from Dudley was barely on anybody's radar at the beginning of 2017. Yet, an impressive introduction in the WWE United Kingdom Championship tournament has seen Tyler achieve beyond what anyone thought was accomplishable.
Tyler Bate won the tournament to be crowned the first WWE United Kingdom champion. His impressive in-ring ability and stunning strength and endurance are unmatched by anyone of a similar stature.
Although Tyler is small at 5'7'', he can certainly hold his own alongside a much larger competition. What is more impressive is that he was the youngest ever title holder for a WWE singles title, at the tender age of 19!
The reason why Tyler is already so high up on this list is his ability to keep putting on really good matches.
Tyler Bate vs Pete Dunne at NXT Takeover: Chicago just about stole the show. It received a 4.75 star rating; no other NXT match till date has received higher.
Tyler is a talent, and he will only improve further. Expect him to climb this list.
#5 Neville
Neville has a place on this list as one of the most established technical British wrestlers within the WWE and beyond. Although Neville's WWE future is in jeopardy, his accomplishments are staggering.
The man that gravity forgot found his feet in NXT, where he became the first NXT tag team champion alongside Oliver Grey. He then took the show to new heights when he captured the NXT championship from Bo Dallas.
However, Neville didn't transition as expected into the main roster, as many had hoped.
He had a wondrous start, with a World Heavyweight title match against Seth Rollins, and also won the Breakout Superstar of the Year Slammy award in 2015.
But after a long period out with a fractured ankle, Neville failed to regain the momentum he previously had in the wider roster.
However, the newly-formed Cruiserweight division was crying out for established competition. Thus, Neville was introduced, and nicknamed the King of the Cruiserweights, as he spent a lengthy period as the Cruiserweight champion.
Although the future is unclear, it is easy to see that Neville's legacy will fly higher than the Rings of Saturn.
#4 Wade Barrett
Wade was supposed to be the guy that finally sat on the proverbial throne for UK fans. Though he never captured the heavyweight title, he at least became the 2015 King of the Ring.
Barrett burst onto the scene with his comrades from NXT as they formed The Nexus. This was a catalyst for a really good storyline within the WWE. However, the mighty stable weren't used to their utmost potential, and predictably fizzled out after only about a year terrorising Raw and Smackdown.
Barrett went on to create the very unimpressive group known as The Corre, before attempting to embark on an impressive singles career, something he would have had had he not been so unlucky with injuries. Several different packages and theme tunes meant that Barrett never had a period of stability to project him into the title picture.
Of course, this didn't stop him from capturing the Intercontinental championship an impressive, Hall of Fame-worthy five times. It was his size, look and impressive mic work that set him apart from the others on the list, and we can only dream about what Wade Barrett could have been had John Cena never got involved.
#3 Pete Dunne
Yes, it is questionable why Pete Dunne is so high on the list. The answer is the potential this guy has in the WWE.
After impressing at the WWE United Kingdom Championship tournament, Dunne cemented himself instantly as the perfect bad guy.
After brutally attacking Sam Gradwell and then Tyler Bate, Dunne would go on to face the latter in the final before losing to the babyface. However, what stood out was the absolute quality and tension of the match, possessing a similar feel to The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels match at Wrestlemania.
Push ahead a few months to NXT Takeover: Chicago and you may have witnessed one of the matches of 2017. Unbelievable talent and in-ring storytelling, combined with chants of "Fight Forever" made this match one to watch.
Pete Dunne has something extra; he is so impressive in the ring, and many are calling the possibility of seeing the Bruiserweight standing alongside the Cerebral Assassin as part of a new look Evolution.
It may be a fantasy, but realistically, Dunne is currently the UK's best hope of seeing one of their own becoming the heavyweight champion.
#2 The British Bulldog
So, this is sure to create a slight rift amongst fans. The British Bulldog, not number 1!!!
I try not to upset the proverbial apple cart, however, I do try to challenge the accepted order of things. I will explain why the icon didn't make it to the number one spot.
So, The British Bulldog is recognisable far and wide amongst wrestling fans, and perhaps further. He has often been spoken of as the best wrestler ever to have never won a heavyweight title within the WWE.
Davey Boy Smith began his career within the WWE in 1985 when he was partnered with his compatriot, The Dynamite Kid. The duo went on to win the tag team title twice. Smith left the WWE in 1988 before returning in 1990 to go on a successful run as a singles competitor.
Perhaps the moment that sealed him as an all-time great was his main event match at Summerslam 1992, where he defeated Bret Hart for the Intercontinental championship.
The British Bulldog's reign in the WWE was impressive and he will be recognised as a legend forever.
#1 William Regal
William Regal is one of the most overlooked, underused and underrated wrestlers to have stepped foot in the WWE's squared circle. However, Regal invoked his class as he dealt with these issues and continued on professionally like a true gentleman.
So, the reason why Regal has been put at the top of this list is his capabilities as a wrestler, entertainer, speaker, trainer and scout.
Regal is one of the best technical wrestlers in the game. Notably, he once had a rumoured mishap in the ring with Goldberg, which he put down to the former Universal champion not being skilled enough in the ring. But if you put Regal in a ring, there is not a move he doesn't know.
The Gentleman Villain was always capable of making audiences laugh. There exist many good memories of his time as the commissioner. He was the first man to join Vince McMahon's kiss my ass club, and he was also a part of the teapot saga involving Y2J Chris Jericho.
Another outstanding attribute was Regal's humility. He was quite content with putting the next star over, and just look how low he goes when he dresses up as a Vegas showgirl. This is a quality not often seen in the WWE, and many could learn from it.
Now that Regal is done with his in-ring career, he seems to be bearing the weight of an entire generation of new talent following the success of NXT. Regal is determined to put across his knowledge so that future stars get the most out of their ability.
There is too much to Regal to mention; he's had his highs and lows. But, I would wager that there has never been a greater or more important British Superstar within the WWE.
The Hall of Fame Beckons.
