At just 25-years-old, WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne has become one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Known for his intense matches and dastardly persona, Dunnes in-ring prowess is legendary, while his brooding character and unique look has established him as a key talent in WWE.
More: Football
Now a key member of NXTs UK roster, and over 500 days into his WWE UK Championship reign, Dunne spoke to Metro Sport about a number of topics, including who the best wrestler in the world is, and what his favourite Christmas film is.
Hi Pete! What do you remember about your very first wrestling match?
Not a lot, I was 12-years-old and it was in a field in Coventry in front of about 50 people. It was raining and I did about three or four matches that day. But as for the actual matches, I cant remember anything at all. It was the humblest of beginnings really, so its great to see how far Ive come.
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12 seems pretty young to be making your wrestling debut, is that normal?
Its always been the way in Britain. Im not sure what it is, but its always been a cliche over here that we start wrestling from about 10-years-old. Im really glad that I got the opportunity because its given me a massive head-start.
And I think thats why British wrestling is strong enough to have its own brand in WWE. Weve all had veteran-length career at really young ages when were just about to get into our prime.
Theres a whole bunch of British guys who grew up wrestling together and are now able to share a big stage together. That must feel good?
Thats another reason why its gelled so well and its the same with the US brand. A lot of us have a similar story and have crossed paths on the independents before that. Weve created a peer group out of love for professional wrestling. We all want the best for each other and the brand and we all have the same thing in mind, which is to lay a solid foundation for this and make it all work.
That all fully kickstarts at TakeOver: Blackpool.
Talk us through how you feel that NXTs UK brand will have its first ever TakeOver event in Blackpool?
For me and Tyler Bate especially its really special, its where we first broke in at WWE and where we made that name for ourselves initially. Our lives changed overnight and over the past few years I havent had a single second to reflect on that because its been one thing to the next.
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At the show, myself and Tyler are going to take a moment to enjoy just how far weve really come over the last two years and how much has happened.
For the brand its brilliant, and its the perfect venue. The audience there are really lively and most importantly its live. That makes such a huge difference. Doing episodic TV, you get a lot of exposure, but TakeOver is a completely different animal.
Itll help this brand grow tenfold.
Youve wrestled many of the greatest wrestlers in the world during your career, but who are the best right now?
On our brand, my standard is always Tyler. It might be obvious, but the performances he put in were unreal in Liverpool recently and he was a step above everyone else. Its something for everyone else to chase and thats a good thing.
NXT is built on competition and the feel of the matches are competitive, but in the back its the same. I see Tyler pull out a great performance and it really makes me want to get in the ring.
In the whole of WWE, its got to be AJ Styles. Hes absolutely been killing it for so many years, and now hes in a top spot and rightfully so. Id love to get in the ring with him some day.
You wrestled in a War Games match for the first time recently, so whats your favourite gimmick match?
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Im boring but I just love a wrestling match. For me, it was the early independent era of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan that inspired me and they were in sports halls and grimy little venues having fantastic wrestling matches and thats what appealed to me about wrestling at the time.
I love the opportunity to go out there for 40 minutes and just wrestle, and have that time to engage the story and have a brilliant technical wrestling match.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbQDdVvPUE?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]
However, its a new world to me at WWE being able to do things like War Games. Theyre not things I get to do on the indies, let alone a cage with two rounds. Its a chance to be extra creative, and Im really enjoying it.
How much would you like to be in the Royal Rumble next year?
Id love to be in it but its really not my focal point. Like getting to appear on Raw, if I get the call then Ill be ecstatic about it, but its not something I let get into my head before.
From my side, my focus is on building the NXT UK foundation and I want it to hold up. In ten years time I want people to say that every single title match I had holds up, and theyre all top quality.
Bit by bit I want to build up my name and my career and create a legacy of title matches to look back on. But if I get the call, thats great, but Im patient and theres no rush.
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Youre only 25-years-old, I think people forget how old you are sometimes!
I think I forget sometimes too, I have to be reminded to be patient! Its a lesson Ive learnt myself numerous times. I wanted to get signed to WWE so badly for so many years and at times I felt it would never happen, but when it did I was glad it took until it did because if it had happened any earlier I wouldnt have been ready.
That is the key point of NXT UK, when we did that first tournament there was a demand for a weekly show. And then we had a match at TakeOver in the States and there was more of a demand.
Little by little, show by show weve built a following and laid the groundwork for a brand that is ready to be unleashed to the world. If we hadnt have put the work in, that wouldnt have happened.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbV-dMZojrg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]
Whats your relationship like with Triple H?
He is brilliant to work with, he is 1000% invested in all of this, its all his brainchild. The likes of him, Shawn Michaels, William Regal and Robbie Brookside have been a huge part of my career and of both NXT brands.
The best testament to any of those guys are the TakeOver shows. In the last year, from a geeky wrestling standpoint, I think theyre the best shows that have ever happened.
From storytelling to technical wrestling to sheer entertainment, they really are the ones I enjoy watching the most. I want TakeOver Blackpool to be something they can be proud of too.
Youll be wrestling at Madison Square Garden for the first time on Boxing Day. A dream come true?
Its another one of those that I dont think about until I get the call. Thats been the story of my last two years. Everybody else comes into this company and has had that established route.
You sign, go to the Performance Centre and work hard there, get on live events, get on TV, then a TakeOver, then the main roster etc. Whereas for me, Ive been a complete experiment in that Ive experienced every part of this company and its been an amazing learning curve.
To be able to tick off so many things I never thought I would do… I just wanted to wrestle once in WWE just to say Id did it. Two years in Ive got the longest reign of any champion, multiple TakeOvers, the Staples Centre, Madison Square Garden and the list goes on.
Meanwhile I still meet the fans at intimate settings and independent shows. I really am having the best of both worlds.
Its remarkable that at no point during your long WWE UK title reign have you ever felt overexposed…
Its been crucial and I believe thats the future. On the main roster its more difficult to avoid that exposure, but outside of that with the growth of NXT brands all over the world, I think thats the key.
If I can travel round and keep this going for another few years without feeling that massive amount of exposure, it only builds a stronger fanbase. So when you are finally getting ready to get on the main roster its a more exciting prospect.
Look at when AJ Styles debuted at the Royal Rumble. That reaction was all down to his work outside WWE. The great thing now is that Im building that same body of work and want from the audience, but Im able to do it within the company and be looked after by trainers and doctors, without having to worry about a paycheque.
Its the future of the business and again thats down to Triple H, it only benefits us first.
More: WWE
Finally, as youre spending Christmas in New York, can you reveal your favourite Christmas song or film?
Youve put me on the spot… Maybe not a favourite Christmas song, but I think Jingle All The Way is a good film. Its got Big Show in and thats probably why I liked it as a kid. Anything relating to wrestling!
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At just 25-years-old, WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne has become one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Known for his intense matches and dastardly persona, Dunnes in-ring prowess is legendary, while his brooding character and unique look has established him as a key talent in WWE.
More: Football
Now a key member of NXTs UK roster, and over 500 days into his WWE UK Championship reign, Dunne spoke to Metro Sport about a number of topics, including who the best wrestler in the world is, and what his favourite Christmas film is.
Hi Pete! What do you remember about your very first wrestling match?
Not a lot, I was 12-years-old and it was in a field in Coventry in front of about 50 people. It was raining and I did about three or four matches that day. But as for the actual matches, I cant remember anything at all. It was the humblest of beginnings really, so its great to see how far Ive come.
Advertisement Advertisement
12 seems pretty young to be making your wrestling debut, is that normal?
Its always been the way in Britain. Im not sure what it is, but its always been a cliche over here that we start wrestling from about 10-years-old. Im really glad that I got the opportunity because its given me a massive head-start.
And I think thats why British wrestling is strong enough to have its own brand in WWE. Weve all had veteran-length career at really young ages when were just about to get into our prime.
Theres a whole bunch of British guys who grew up wrestling together and are now able to share a big stage together. That must feel good?
Thats another reason why its gelled so well and its the same with the US brand. A lot of us have a similar story and have crossed paths on the independents before that. Weve created a peer group out of love for professional wrestling. We all want the best for each other and the brand and we all have the same thing in mind, which is to lay a solid foundation for this and make it all work.
That all fully kickstarts at TakeOver: Blackpool.
Talk us through how you feel that NXTs UK brand will have its first ever TakeOver event in Blackpool?
For me and Tyler Bate especially its really special, its where we first broke in at WWE and where we made that name for ourselves initially. Our lives changed overnight and over the past few years I havent had a single second to reflect on that because its been one thing to the next.
Advertisement Advertisement
At the show, myself and Tyler are going to take a moment to enjoy just how far weve really come over the last two years and how much has happened.
For the brand its brilliant, and its the perfect venue. The audience there are really lively and most importantly its live. That makes such a huge difference. Doing episodic TV, you get a lot of exposure, but TakeOver is a completely different animal.
Itll help this brand grow tenfold.
Youve wrestled many of the greatest wrestlers in the world during your career, but who are the best right now?
On our brand, my standard is always Tyler. It might be obvious, but the performances he put in were unreal in Liverpool recently and he was a step above everyone else. Its something for everyone else to chase and thats a good thing.
NXT is built on competition and the feel of the matches are competitive, but in the back its the same. I see Tyler pull out a great performance and it really makes me want to get in the ring.
In the whole of WWE, its got to be AJ Styles. Hes absolutely been killing it for so many years, and now hes in a top spot and rightfully so. Id love to get in the ring with him some day.
You wrestled in a War Games match for the first time recently, so whats your favourite gimmick match?
Advertisement
Im boring but I just love a wrestling match. For me, it was the early independent era of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan that inspired me and they were in sports halls and grimy little venues having fantastic wrestling matches and thats what appealed to me about wrestling at the time.
I love the opportunity to go out there for 40 minutes and just wrestle, and have that time to engage the story and have a brilliant technical wrestling match.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbQDdVvPUE?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]
However, its a new world to me at WWE being able to do things like War Games. Theyre not things I get to do on the indies, let alone a cage with two rounds. Its a chance to be extra creative, and Im really enjoying it.
How much would you like to be in the Royal Rumble next year?
Id love to be in it but its really not my focal point. Like getting to appear on Raw, if I get the call then Ill be ecstatic about it, but its not something I let get into my head before.
From my side, my focus is on building the NXT UK foundation and I want it to hold up. In ten years time I want people to say that every single title match I had holds up, and theyre all top quality.
Bit by bit I want to build up my name and my career and create a legacy of title matches to look back on. But if I get the call, thats great, but Im patient and theres no rush.
Advertisement
Youre only 25-years-old, I think people forget how old you are sometimes!
I think I forget sometimes too, I have to be reminded to be patient! Its a lesson Ive learnt myself numerous times. I wanted to get signed to WWE so badly for so many years and at times I felt it would never happen, but when it did I was glad it took until it did because if it had happened any earlier I wouldnt have been ready.
That is the key point of NXT UK, when we did that first tournament there was a demand for a weekly show. And then we had a match at TakeOver in the States and there was more of a demand.
Little by little, show by show weve built a following and laid the groundwork for a brand that is ready to be unleashed to the world. If we hadnt have put the work in, that wouldnt have happened.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbV-dMZojrg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]
Whats your relationship like with Triple H?
He is brilliant to work with, he is 1000% invested in all of this, its all his brainchild. The likes of him, Shawn Michaels, William Regal and Robbie Brookside have been a huge part of my career and of both NXT brands.
The best testament to any of those guys are the TakeOver shows. In the last year, from a geeky wrestling standpoint, I think theyre the best shows that have ever happened.
From storytelling to technical wrestling to sheer entertainment, they really are the ones I enjoy watching the most. I want TakeOver Blackpool to be something they can be proud of too.
Youll be wrestling at Madison Square Garden for the first time on Boxing Day. A dream come true?
Its another one of those that I dont think about until I get the call. Thats been the story of my last two years. Everybody else comes into this company and has had that established route.
You sign, go to the Performance Centre and work hard there, get on live events, get on TV, then a TakeOver, then the main roster etc. Whereas for me, Ive been a complete experiment in that Ive experienced every part of this company and its been an amazing learning curve.
To be able to tick off so many things I never thought I would do… I just wanted to wrestle once in WWE just to say Id did it. Two years in Ive got the longest reign of any champion, multiple TakeOvers, the Staples Centre, Madison Square Garden and the list goes on.
Meanwhile I still meet the fans at intimate settings and independent shows. I really am having the best of both worlds.
Its remarkable that at no point during your long WWE UK title reign have you ever felt overexposed…
Its been crucial and I believe thats the future. On the main roster its more difficult to avoid that exposure, but outside of that with the growth of NXT brands all over the world, I think thats the key.
If I can travel round and keep this going for another few years without feeling that massive amount of exposure, it only builds a stronger fanbase. So when you are finally getting ready to get on the main roster its a more exciting prospect.
Look at when AJ Styles debuted at the Royal Rumble. That reaction was all down to his work outside WWE. The great thing now is that Im building that same body of work and want from the audience, but Im able to do it within the company and be looked after by trainers and doctors, without having to worry about a paycheque.
Its the future of the business and again thats down to Triple H, it only benefits us first.
More: WWE
Finally, as youre spending Christmas in New York, can you reveal your favourite Christmas song or film?
Youve put me on the spot… Maybe not a favourite Christmas song, but I think Jingle All The Way is a good film. Its got Big Show in and thats probably why I liked it as a kid. Anything relating to wrestling!
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