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WWE has always had a strong relationship with the United Kingdom. From yearly live events to consistent media coverage, the promotion's second-biggest country outside the United States is arguably the UK. Throughout WWE's run as the industry leader, they have acquired exceptional stars from this region of the world.
Dating back to the 1980s, WWE has highlighted some of the best attributes of the United Kingdom through once-in-a-lifetime performers. Nowadays, the promotion has furthered their presence in the country with NXT UK. It's been awesome how much of the roster either started their careers there, or had a period there.
The company introduced the WWE United Kingdom Championship in 2017 and one of its rising stars on the independent scene, Pete Dunne, had a record-breaking reign with the title. The Bruiserweight missed out on this list, but there's no shame with the talent included. In this article, let's take a look at the five greatest WWE Superstars from the United Kingdom.
5. Former Two-Time WWE Divas Champion Paige
Paige was introduced in the WWE as a young second-generation competitor. Starting at the age of 13, the Norwich native had boatloads of potential and wrestled a more technical, fast-paced style than what was the norm for the Divas division at the time. Her debut on NXT brought eyes to the product, with many fans seeing her as the future.
A lengthy winning streak to kick-off this run led to Paige becoming the inaugural NXT Women's Champion, holding the title for 301 days. She relinquished the championship without taking a pinfall or submission loss. Paige was called up to the WWE main roster following WrestleMania 30 when she beat AJ Lee to win the Divas Championship the day after on RAW.
After losing the title to Lee, she eventually regained the gold, making Paige a two-time champion. Her career was cut short by injuries in 2015 and 2016 when the Women's Revolution jumpstarted with the introduction of the Four Horsewomen to the main roster. Paige later became the SmackDown GM, adding that to a career that has to be the best of any female from the UK.
4. Former WWE Tag Team Champion The Dynamite Kid
The Dynamite Kid was one of the earliest WWE Superstars from the United Kingdom. He made a name for himself in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling. His blend of British catch wrestling and Japanese strong style was unique, and he's considered one of the pioneers of the modern era style.
The Dynamite Kid put the UK on the map in the WWE as one-half of the British Bulldogs with Davey Boy Smith. The two men brought a newfound spotlight on the tag team division alongside Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart of The Hart Foundation. The Dynamite Kid has a very divisive reputation for his actions outside the ring, but his legacy is unmatched and unquestionable.
3. Former Four-Time WWE European Champion William Regal
William Regal started wrestling at the age of 15 and spent nearly a decade working his way up through the ranks. In 1993, he arrived in WCW and quickly became one of the better workers through brilliant in-ring and character work. Whether it be as TV Champion or in the tag team division with The Blue Bloods, Regal was consistently entertaining.
Upon his arrival in WWE, William Regal had plenty of fans who wanted to see him in a top spot. Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be. He returned to WCW a year later before eventually returning to WWE to great success. He's a former two-time Intercontinental, four-time European, five-time Hardcore, and four-time Tag Team Champion. He's still with the company as NXT GM and in a backstage role.
2. Former Two-Time WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre's initial WWE run was marred by untapped potential. He came in billed as The Chosen One, introduced by Vince McMahon to be a future world champion. McIntyre dropped the card and was eventually released in 2014. This setback was temporary as The Scottish Warrior returned to the independent scene and reinvented his career.
Upon his return in 2017, McIntyre quickly became the NXT Champion. A year later, he came to the WWE main roster and went on to new heights. McIntyre won the RAW Tag Team Championships with Dolph Ziggler before winning the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble Match.
Drew parlayed that into a victory over Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. A victory over The Beast Incarnate is the quickest way for WWE to show fans how important the superstar is. McIntyre also became the first British-born WWE Champion in the company's history.
McIntyre became the top babyface in the promotion on RAW. He had a successful 2020 with good to great matches against Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, and Randy Orton. McIntyre eventually lost the title to Randy Orton but regained the gold to become a two-time champion. This has to make the Scotland native one of the best UK superstars to grace a WWE ring.
1. Former Two-Time WWE European Champion The British Bulldog
With a resume like Drew McIntyre, it'd be extremely difficult for anyone to match or exceed his accomplishments in WWE. Despite being the first British-born top champion, McIntyre can't match the legendary career and the importance of the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith.
Davey Boy Smith came into WWE as one half of the British Bulldogs tag team with the Dynamite Kid. The two were responsible for the emergence of the tag team division along with the Hart Foundation. From there, Smith worked his way up the ranks of the promotion.
The British Bulldog's legend in the United Kingdom reached another level at SummerSlam 1992. On that faithful evening, Davey Boy Smith defeated Bret "The Hitman" Hart to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship in a phenomenal and dramatic encounter. It was the first time that the IC Title headlined a major pay-per-view.
This match is responsible for creating so many fans from the United Kingdom, including some of today's biggest stars. The Bulldog went on to become the inaugural European Champion by defeating Owen Hart in the tournament finals. With all these accolades, Davey Boy Smith has to be regarded as one of the greatest superstars to never win the WWE Championship.
Smith is a two-time European, two-time Hardcore, and two-time Tag Team Champion. It might take an unreal career from a UK competitor to surpass what this man accomplished. That's why The British Bulldog is the greatest WWE Superstar from the United Kingdom.
