07/12/2025
For 685 days, there was an unstoppable force within the United Kingdom. For 685 days, there was a champion in WWE who refused to be defeated. For 685 days, there was a man who helped evolve British wrestling into what it now is.
For 685 days, Pete Dunne reigned as the WWE United Kingdom Champion.
For nearly two years, “The Bruiserweight” stood atop the United Kingdom and NXT UK as a prophet. As WWE began implementing and taking over the British wrestling scene, there needed to be someone who they could count on. There needed to be a leader who could help bring British wrestling to the forefront.
That leader was Pete Dunne.
In December of 2016, WWE Chief-Operating-Officer and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations Triple H announced the beginning of WWE’s UK brand. The exploration began in January of 2017 with the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament (UKCT).
“The Game” announced a 16-man tournament would take place to crown the very first WWE United Kingdom Champion. The announcement was a landmark decision as British wrestling had been on the rise for many years at that point. For WWE to notice and to implement their own brand and division for the UK was huge.
When the participants for the tournament were announced, Dunne was instantly seen as the favorite to walk out of Blackpool with the title. At the time of the tournament in 2017, Dunne had just come off of a 287-day reign as Progress World Champion. At that time, it was the second longest reign in the promotions history.
“The Bruiserweight” had the track record heading into the UKCT. He was seen as the favorite, and he was portrayed as just that after day one was complete.
Pete Dunne was the talking point following day one. As the second-round competitors stood on the stage, Dunne attacked Sam Gradwell to make a statement. NXT General Manager William Regal showed his aggression and got in Dunne’s face following the attack.
Later backstage, Triple H took a quick look and muttered six words that would define Dunne’s rise to the top.
Triple H simply said, “make a name for yourself, kid.”
