For decades, Britain has been known across the world for producing some truly great wrestlers. Although just a small island nation with a population of 60 million, the worldwide impact of British stars has been profound. I have previously stated, when appearing on the BWC British Wrestling Roundup show on Challenge TV here in the UK, that I genuinely believe that British wrestlers are the best in the world. When you consider our nations small size and the number of Brits who have made a global impression on the wrestling world, compared to the size of other wrestling countries, it is an excellent rate per capita. The British style, technical and mat based, has become slightly diluted as the American influence has crossed the Atlantic over the past two decades, but it has enjoyed a renaissance to a degree through the popularity of some of the wrestlers listed in this article. There are also a number of British wrestlers who ventured across the pond who have not made the top ten, but still made a great impression on Stateside fans. Giant Haystacks, a British legend of the 70s and 80s, drew packed houses across the UK, often during his feud with Big Daddy, which made the two genuine household names in the country. Renamed Loch Ness, he arrived in WCW to feud with Hulk Hogan, only for a diagnosis of cancer to force him to return home. Nigel McGuinness, a US trained Brit who hung onto his British technical roots, made a huge impact in Ring of Honor, introducing the style to a new generation of fans. Again, ill health cut his career short soon after he signed with TNA. Wade Barratt has finally found a gimmick to suit him as Bad News Barrett, and has enjoyed a PPV main event and an Intercontinental title run in the WWE already. Norman Smiley had a good run in WCW in its last few years and is now a trainer in NXT. One former NXT wrestler told me that Smiley was the best trainer that hes ever encountered. Robbie Brookside had a storied UK career as well as a brief stay in WCW as a preliminary talent, but is now a trainer in NXT, sharing his decades of wisdom, experience and psychology with the next generation of WWE superstars coming through the system. Dave Taylor, a British veteran, joined his compatriots in bringing the British style to WCW and the WWE and also ran a successful training facility in Atlanta. Drew McIntyre had a good start in the WWE as Mr McMahons chosen one, but wrestling politics proved to be his downfall and after an IC title run and a one month tag title reign, he floundered before being released earlier this year. Katie Lea was the first British woman to get signed by the WWE in 2008, teaming up with her storyline brother, Paul Burchill. The two had both wrestled for the FWA in Britain, and were the first of the new generation of twenty-something Brits to be signed up to the biggest promotion in the world. Burchill himself had previously been in the company for a year or so beforehand, but had been repackaged as a comedy pirate, which killed his momentum. Katie Lea left the WWE and signed for TNA, when she had a prominent run in the company and won the Knockouts title three times. And finally, Les Thornton was one of the best junior heavyweight wrestlers anywhere in the world in the 1970s, and at one point in time held both the WWF and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championships at the same time! However, he ended up as a preliminary jobber on WWF television in the 80s with his legacy pretty much swept under the carpet by the WWF machine. With all of those talents not making the top ten, you can be assured that the top ten are people who have really taken the United States by storm.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
