In his latest, PWP Nation’s Editor-in-Chief Caden Moran details the historic 685 day reign of Pete Dunne that shouldn’t be forgotten
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.”
The United Kingdom’s prodigal son continued he reign of terror during day two of the UKCT. Dunne dominated throughout the day which led him to the final of the tournament. Pete Dunne had a chance to become the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion. All he had to do was get through his British Strong Style stablemate Tyler Bate.
In the final round of the UKCT, Dunne and Bate went at it for a chance to become immortal in the WWE record books. However, after a back-and-forth battle between the two friends, it was Bate who came away with the victory and becoming the first WWE United Kingdom Champion.
When it comes to tournaments and crowing a first-ever champion, it’s all about happy moments. Historically, it is typically a babyface who wins the title for the first time. In this case, that babyface was Tyler Bate.
Bate reigned atop the United Kingdom for the next three-and-a-half months. However, it was in May of 2017 when a new era would begin.
During NXT Takeover: Chicago in 2017, Pete Dunne faced off with Tyler Bate for the UK title. In what would later be named NXT’s match of the year, Dunne put away Bate to become the new United Kingdom Champion.
It was at this moment where the longest WWE championship reign in the modern era began. That night, the kid made a name for himself.
Pete Dunne would dominate the scene as WWE United Kingdom Champion over the next year and nearly two years. Dunne would go on to defeat the likes of Ricochet, Roderick Strong, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and a whole plethora of others on the British independent scene.
The dominance even led to an appearance on Monday Night Raw against the WWE Cruiserweight Champion at the time, Enzo Amore.
Dunne would go on to compete in the annual War Games match last year and the Royal Rumble match earlier this year. The reign led to a number of career-changing opportunities for “The Bruiserweight”.
During NXT UK’s first TakeOver event in Blackpool, Dunne put his title on the line against Joe Coffey in a hellacious main event. Following a brutal submission victory for the champion, a new challenger appeared in the name of WALTER.
The Austrian behemoth stared Dunne down and let it be known that a new era was looming.
There has not been a strong opposing force towards Pete Dunne and his title like WALTER. The former Progress World Champion had made his way to NXT UK to fulfill a mission, and the champion was standing in his way.
Come Wrestlemania weekend, Dunne versus WALTER was official for NXT TakeOver: New York. It was guaranteed to be a hard-hitting match, and it was just that.
Dunne faced his biggest challenge to date, literally, and put up the fight of his life to sustain his record-breaking reign. However, in the end, the fight in the Austrian was too much for the Englishman.
Following a monumental splash from WALTER, Dunne failed to kick out. The United Kingdom title reign of Dunne was over. A new era was initiated in New York following the victory of WALTER.
For 685 days, Pete Dunne stood atop of the United Kingdom as a champion. He helped evolve the British wrestling scene and helped establish NXT UK into what it is now, and what it’ll be in the future.
Pete Dunne reigned for 685 days, and his reign should never be forgotten. It might have come to an end, but 25-year old man from Birmingham, England has a bright future ahead of him.
“The Bruiserweight” could very well be the future of the WWE after his almost-unstoppable reign as United Kingdom Champion. Only time will tell what’s in store.
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