The WWE Hall of Fame stands as a hallowed institution, celebrating the legends who have left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.
While many American icons have been enshrined, the rich legacy of British wrestlers often goes underappreciated. From the technical mastery of grapplers who pioneered the sport to the charismatic personalities who captivated global audiences, British wrestling has given rise to numerous talents deserving of this prestigious honour.
At the time of writing, the only Briton to be inducted in Davey Boy Smith. He was better known as the British Bulldog. This is because he wrestled the bulk of his career in the US, with WWE and WCW.
The WWE Hall of Fame sells itself as a worldwide wrestling hall of fame, with stars like Antonio Inoki and The Great Muta being inducted, without ever wrestling for the promotion.
As we delve into the careers of these extraordinary athletes, we shine a spotlight on the British wrestlers who have not only defined an era but who have also paved the way for future generations. These are the unsung heroes whose contributions to the squared circle merit their rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
William Regal
It is very likely the next British wrestler to join the WWE Hall of Fame will be William Regal. The Englishman has occupied an important role in the WWE for over two decades.
Whether it is as a comedy mid-carder, main event star, general manager or talent scout, he always delivers at a high level for the promotion.
William Regal is one of the finest technical wrestlers in WWE history. He brought the old British style to the USA with WCW and WWE, helping bridge the gap between modern and classic wrestling.
While he never became a world champion (and there was a very good reason why he didn’t), Regal is truly a once-in-a-generation talent. He has been as important behind the scenes as in front of the camera with NXT, and deserves to be honoured as part of the WWE Hall of Fame.
With his friend and former tag team partner now in charge of the WWE, it won’t be long until William Regal earns his hall of fame ring.
Dynamite Kid
With the British Bulldog being inducted in 2023, it seems silly that his tag team partner wasn’t also honoured as part of the WWE Hall of Fame.
The Dynamite Kid is one of the most innovative wrestlers in history. His hard-hitting, fast-paced style wowed crowds in the 1970s and 1980s. He innovated a brand-new style of wrestling, inspiring wrestlers like Chris Benoit and Bryan Danielson in their styles.
He started out in the UK, and became one of the big draws around the country. His talent and hard work led Dynamite Kid to Canada, Japan and the US. He bulked up massively due to steroid use, and injuries soon stacked up. His WWE career ended with a back injury in 1986, although he did win one WWE World Tag Team title alongside the British Bulldog.
Dynamite Kid effectively retired in 1986. However, he continued to wrestle sparingly for another few years. Dynamite Kid’s last match took place in 1996, and was a sad end to a inspirational career.
He is probably not currently inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame due to his backstage antics (he was not a nice man). However, with murderers and rapist currently inducted, Dynamite Kid should be given his flowers come WrestleMania season.
Big Daddy
Ask anyone over a certain age in the UK to name a wrestler. The name “Big Daddy” will be the first to come out of their mouth, such was his incredible popularity.
The big-bellied Brit captured the Zeitgeist at the time. He was a hero to the working class, who tuned in to ITV every Saturday in their millions to watch him bouncing bellies with other super-heavyweights, like Giant Haystacks.
Their rivalry was legendary. You cannot escape their impact on the wider British public. Even in a recent interview, where AEW’s Saraya was promoting AEW All In at Wembley Stadium, it took less than two minutes before the host asked her about Big Daddy vs Giant Haystacks.
Was he good in the ring? No. Big Daddy was too fat to do any moves, and too big to have any done to him. He hit people with his belly, then did the Big Daddy splash (which once killed a man in the ring). This did stop him getting his own comic book, TV show or episode of “This is your life”, though. He was a true cultural phenomenon, and a true legend of wrestling.
While many claim Big Daddy ruined wrestling his Britain, he also made it bigger than ever before. Because of this, Big Daddy must be included in any Hall of Fame that dares call itself legitimate.
Lord Mountevans
You’d be hard-pressed to find a man with more impact on wrestling in the UK than Lord Mountevans. Edward Evans was the man who came up with the rulebook that British wrestling would follow for the next five decades.
The Lord-Admiral Mountevans rules changed the way wrestling was contested. In brought in clear, concise rules for all to follow. It even outlined which moves and holds were legal and illegal. It was the first of its kind, and helped lift the ban of professional wrestling in London.
His ruleset, which was adopted all over the UK and Europe in 1947, became the standard that promotions followed. It put an end to the outlaw All-In wrestling style, and ushered in a new boom period for the sport that lasted until the 1980s.
While he had no involvement with US wrestling, the WWE Hall of Fame should recognise such an important figure in UK and European wrestling history.
Which British wrestlers do you think should be in the WWE Hall of Fame? Tell us what you think in the comments section below, or read more about the history of British wrestling!
