Pro Wrestling
Register
Advertisement
Pro Wrestling

Peter England (November 9, 1993) is a British professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Pete Dunne. In NXT UK he is a former WWE United Kingdom Champion.

Professional wrestling career

Training and early career (2006–2011)

Dunne began training in 2006 at the age of 12, originally under the tutelage of Steve "Psycho Steve" Edwards at Phoenix Wrestling in Coventry, a short drive from his home city of Birmingham. Dunne has said that his early training under Edwards was limited, providing him with only "the basics". Dunne spent most of his early career working for as many small independent promotions as possible, as well as regularly practicing with Mark Andrews and other friends, training in a re-purposed boxing ring in a community center in Cardiff during the school holidays.

Dunne's first appearance as a wrestler was at the 2007 Holbrooks Festival in Coventry, where he first met and wrestled Mark Andrews. He later trained for a short time under Max Angelus and began working on other small local shows, largely in community center around Birmingham. Dunne competed as the masked Tiger Kid until January 2010, when he began performing as Pete Dunne after losing a hair vs mask match to Helix at Riot Act Wrestling in Kent. Dunne then began regularly performing in a tag team alongside his kayfabe brother, Damian Dunne.

Dunne began competing internationally and more regularly in 2011, competing for LDN Wrestling, traveling to Ireland for Dublin Championship Wrestling, Wales for Celtic Wrestling & Welsh Wrestling, and Scotland for PBW. In 2011, Dunne co-founded his own wrestling promotion, ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, with the objective of achieving more exposure for their group of friends in wrestling.

ATTACK! Pro Wrestling (2011–2016)

In a move to increase the number opportunities available to their group of friends, Pete Dunne and friend Jim Lee co-founded ATTACK! Pro Wrestling in 2011, arranging a weekend of shows in Pete's native city of Birmingham. On the first weekend of shows in August 2011, Pete wrestled in a four-man tournament dubbed the 'Elder Stein Invitational', in which he advanced to the final, before losing to Mark Andrews. The promotion would later expand to run shows primarily in Cardiff and Bristol, with Pete an ever-present performer, primarily as a face, and often taking on his best friend Mark. Pete later would become one of the promotion's primary heels, after unexpectedly turning on Mark at "Mandrews Goes To America" in January 2015; a show themed as a farewell event to Mark upon his signature of a contract with TNA Wrestling. From mid-2015 to 2016, Pete held the ATTACK! 24/7 Championship for an unprecedented 307 consecutive days, over which time he feuded with Eddie Dennis and Wild Boar simultaneously for the title. He would eventually lose the belt to referee Shay Purser, which acted as the beginning of a lengthy feud with ATTACK's co-founder and ring announcer, Jim Lee. Pete's spell as a performer in ATTACK! Pro Wrestling concluded on 20 November 2016, when he lost a five-vs-five elimination match against a team captained by Jim, with the stipulation that the losing team captain had to leave ATTACK.

Michinoku Pro Wrestling (2013)

Dunne spent three months touring with Japanese promotion Michinoku Pro Wrestling in 2013, teaming with Jason Larusso to defeat Bad Boy (Daichi Sasaki and Manjimaru) in his debut match, but losing to the Brahman Brothers the next night. Dunne lost his next two matches on the tour, before defeating Ayumu Gunji in his first singles match in Japan. Dunne's final match on the tour took place on 5 May, when he and Larusso were defeated by Yapper Man 1 and Yapper Man 2.

Revolution Pro Wrestling (2014, 2016–2017)

Dunne made his debut for Revolution Pro Wrestling on 10 May 2014, teaming with F.S.U (Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis) to take on The Revolutionists (Sha Samuels, Josh Bodom and Terry Frazier) in a losing effort. Dunne's next match was in January 2016 at Live At The Cockpit 5, first defeating El Ligero, and then Morgan Webster to win the RPW British Cruiserweight Championship. Dunne held the Championship until July, successfully defending it against Webster, Sonjay Dutt, ACH, Mike Bailey and Matt Cross before dropping the championship to Will Ospreay at Summer Sizzler. Dunne also competed at Global Wars UK, losing to Yuji Nagata on night one and Tomohiro Ishii on night two.

Progress Wrestling (2014–2017)

Dunne debuted in Progress at Chapter 13 on 18 May 2014, defeating Robbie X. Four months later he returned to Progress, losing to Morgan Webster. Dunne was absent from Progress for 19 months after this, returning at Chapter 28 in April 2016, teaming with Damian Dunne to defeat Trent Seven and Tyler Bate. At Chapter 29, Dunne was involved in a qualifying match for WWE's Cruiserweight Classic tournament, losing to Jack Gallagher. At Chapter 30, Dunne competed in the first round of the Super Strong Style 16 Tournament, but was eliminated in the first round by eventual runner-up Mark Haskins. At Chapter 33, Dunne turned on longtime tag team partner and kayfabe brother Damian Dunne, aligning himself with Trent Seven as British Strong Style. Dunne and Seven defeated The London Riots (James Davis and Rob Lynch) at Chapter 36 to win the Progress Tag Team Championships. At Chapter 39, by virtue of retaining their championships in a rematch against the London Riots earlier in the night, Dunne and Seven were entered in a 7-man elimination match for the vacant Progress World Championship. Dunne pinned Jimmy Havoc to become the new Progress World Champion after Tyler Bate came down to the ring and attacked Havoc, thus turning heel and aligning himself with Seven and Dunne. At Chapter 40, Dunne made his first successful defense of the championship, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. On 16 December, Progress management forced Dunne and Seven to vacate the Progress Tag Team Championship after Dunne attempted to give his half of the shield to Bate. At Chapter 41, British Strong Style once again left with all of the gold in Progress after Seven and Bate defeated the LDRS Of The New School (Marty Scurll and Zack Sabre, Jr.) and The London Riots to win the Progress Tag Team Championships and Dunne defeated Fabian Aichner to retain the Progress World Championship.

World Wrestling Entertainment

United Kingdom Championship Tournament (2016–2017)

On 15 December 2016, it was revealed that Dunne would be one of 16 men competing in a two night tournament to crown the first ever WWE United Kingdom Champion on 14 January and 15, 2017. Dunne defeated Roy Johnson in the first round, advancing to the quarter finals and eventually the semi-finals where he defeated Sam Gradwell and Mark Andrews respectively to advance to the finals, where he lost to Tyler Bate.

NXT (2017-2022)

On 20 May 2017 at NXT TakeOver: Chicago Dunne made his debut where he defeated Tyler Bate to win the United Kingdom Championship. His first title defense on the 8 June edition of NXT in Brighton, East Sussex, England, where defeated Mark Andrews.

Dunne's most recent title defense was during the 18 November edition of NXT where he defeated Johnny Gargano. He wrestled his last title defense in NXT was on 29 November, defeating Tyler Bate to retain the UK Championship. He finished the year with a tag match on 2 December teaming with The Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar) in defeating Heavy Machinery (Otis Dozovic & Tucker Knight) & Wolfgang.

Dunne returned to NXT on 1 February 2018, successfully defending the UK Championship against Roderick Strong. On 7 March, Dunne teamed with Roderick Strong to enter the 2018 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Tournament. They advanced in the first round by eliminating Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan and advanced in the semifinal after eliminating team SAnitY (Alexander Wolfe & Eric Young). At the end of the tournament during which Dunne and Strong faced The Authors Of Pain, both teams were disqualified. During the course of March, Dunne successfully defended the UK title in singles matches defeating such challengers as Oney Lorcan, Marcel Barthel, Kassius Ohno, The Velveteen Dream and Buddy Murphy. On 7 April at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, Dunne and Roderick Strong joined a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Triple Threat match for the NXT Tag Team Championship, meeting The Authors Of Pain and members of the The Undisputed ERA (Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly), the reigning champions. Neither of the two challenger teams succeeded in defeating The Undisputed ERA for the titles. During May and June, Dunne successfully retained the UK title in singles matches against further challengers including Tommaso Ciampa, Mark Andrews and Kyle O'Reilly. During the course of the summer months of June, July and August, Dunne successfully defended the UK Championship against challengers including Zack Gibson, Noam Dar, Danny Burch and The Velveteen Dream. During the 23 August NXT Tapings, Dunne defended the United Kingdom Championship against the new NXT North American Champion Ricochet resulting in a double-disqualification.

Raw (2017)

Dunne made his debut on the 6 November episode of Monday Night RAW in Manchester, England, after Raw General Manager Kurt Angle interrupted an in-ring segment by Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore. Midway through Amore's segment, his rival Kalisto entered the arena to sit at ringside just before Angle announced Dunne as Amore's opponent. After Dunne defeated Amore, Kalisto entered the ring to congratulate Dunne and raise his hand in victory.

Smackdown (2017)

Dunne debuted in a dark match teaming with Mark Andrews in defeating Trent Seven & Tyler Bate.

NXT UK (2018-2020)

Dunne's first match was held during the 26 August Tapings of NXT UK where he successfully defended the WWE United Kingdom Championship against Jordan Devlin.

Defend Indy Wrestling

Dunne (along with Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis) is a co-founder of “Defend Indy Wrestling”, a clothing line designed specifically for independent wrestling fans. Inspired by the "DEFEND Pop Punk" message propagated by American band Man Overboard, Dunne, Andrews and Dennis created the brand in 2011, producing T-shirts, hoodies and other accessories.

In wrestling

  • Finishing moves
    • Bitter End (Pumphandle Lift dropped into a Reverse STO)
    • Better End (Pumphandle Lift into a Kneeling Reverse Piledriver)
  • Signature moves
    • Biting
    • Double Foot Stomp
    • Double Knee Drop
    • Four Star Forearm (Forearm Smash to diving opponent)
    • Joint Manipulation
    • Kimura Lock
    • Lariat
    • Michinoku Driver II
    • Moonsault Plancha
    • Sitout Powerbomb
    • Slingshot Apron DDT
    • Snap Release German Suplex
    • Step-Up Enzuiguri
    • Superkick
    • Tequila Sunrise
    • Tiger Suplex
    • Triangle Choke
    • Vertical Suplex Sitout Powerbomb
    • X-Plex
  • Nicknames
    • Dynamite
    • YxB - Young and Bitter
    • Perfect
    • Pop Punk
    • The Bruiserweight
  • Entrance themes
    • "Can You Feel My Heart" by Bring Me The Horizon
    • "Love Is Blindness" by Jack White
    • "Young & Bitter" by Hot Tag - Media Works (WWE)
    • "Bruiserweight" by CFO$ (WWE)

Championships and accomplishments

  • Fight Club:Pro
    • Fight Club: Pro Championship (1 time)
    • Infinity Trophy (2015)
  • Pro Wrestling Kingdom
    • Pro Wrestling Kingdom Championship (1 time)
  • Royal Imperial Wrestling
    • RIW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

External links

2017 WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament participants

Dan MoloneyDanny BurchHC DyerJames DrakeJordan DevlinJoseph ConnersMark AndrewsPete DunneRoy JohnsonSam GradwellSaxon HuxleyTrent SevenTuckerTyler BateTyson T-BoneWolfgang

Wwe2014WWE RosterWwe2014
Raw

Akira TozawaAlexa BlissAndradeApollo CrewsBecky LynchBraun StrowmanBronson ReedBrutus CreedCandice LeRaeCarmellaChad GableChelsea GreenCM PunkCody RhodesDamian PriestDexter LumisDominik MysterioDrew McIntyreErikFinn BálorGiovanni VinciGuntherIndi HartwellIvarIvy NileJD McDonaghJey UsoJinder MahalJohnny GarganoJulius CreedKatana ChanceKayden CarterKofi KingstonLiv MorganLudwig KaiserMaryseMaxxine DupriNatalyaNia JaxNikki CrossOdyssey JonesOtisPiper NivenR-TruthRaquel RodriguezRhea RipleyRicochetRobert RoodeSami ZaynSangaSeth RollinsShayna BaszlerShinsuke NakamuraSonya DevilleTegan NoxThe MizTitus O'NeilTommaso CiampaValhallaXavier WoodsXia LiVeerZoey Stark

SmackDown

A.J. StylesAkamAlba FyreAngel GarzaAngelo DawkinsAshante AdonisAsukaAustin TheoryB-FABBayleyBianca BelairBig EBobby LashleyBron BreakkerCameron GrimesCarlitoCedric AlexanderCharlotte FlairCruz Del ToroDakota KaiDragon LeeDrew GulakElektra LopezElton PrinceGrayson WallerHumberto CarrilloIsla DawnIYO SKYJimmy UsoJoaquin WildeKairi SaneKarl AndersonKarrion KrossKevin OwensKit WilsonLA KnightLuke GallowsMia YimMontez FordNaomiPete DunneRandy OrtonRey MysterioRezarRidge HollandRoman ReignsSantos EscobarScarlettSheamusShotzi BlackheartSolo SikoaTaminaTiffany StrattonTyler BateZelina Vega

NXT

Adriana RizzoAndre ChaseArianna GraceAxiomBlair DavenportBrooks JensenCarmelo HayesChanning LorenzoCharlie DempseyCora JadeDamon KempDante ChenDijakDuke HudsonEddy ThorpeEdris EnofeFallon HenleyGigi DolinGuru RaajIlja DragunovJacy JayneJakara JacksonJavier BernalJoe CoffeyJoe GacyJosh BriggsKarmen PetrovicKelani JordanKiana JamesLash LegendLexis KingLola ViceLyra ValkyriaMalik BladeMark CoffeyMeiko SatomuraMyles BorneNathan FrazerNikkita LyonsNoam DarOba FemiOro MensahRoxanne PerezRiley OsborneScryptsShawn SpearsSol RucaTatum PaxleyThea HailTony D'AngeloTrey BearhillTrick WilliamsValentina FerozWendy ChooWes LeeWolfgang

Free agents

Baron CorbinBrock LesnarMVPOmosVon WagnerXyon Quinn

Stables & Tag Teams

Alpha AcademyChase UDamage CTRLDiamond MineGallusIndus SherLatino World OrderLegado Del FantasmaMeta-FourNo Quarter Catch CrewPretty DeadlyThe Authors of PainThe BloodlineThe Brawling BrutesThe Final TestamentThe Judgment DayThe New DayThe O.C.The Street ProfitsThe Viking Raiders

Commentators & Interviewers

Booker TByron SaxtonCathy KelleyCorey GravesJackie RedmondKayla BraxtonMarcelo RodríguezMegan MorantMichael ColeSarah SchreiberVic JosephWade Barrett

Ring announcers

Alicia TaylorMike RomeSamantha Irvin

Referees

Chad PattonCharles RobinsonChip DanningDan EnglerDallas IrvinDanilo AnfibioDaphne LashaunnDarryl SharmaDerek SandersEddie OrengoJason AyersJessika CarrJohn ConeOlympe MargauxRich SwiftRod ZapataRyan TranShawn BennettTom ScarboroughWill Charlton

Pre-Show Panel

Booker TDavid OtungaJohn Bradshaw LayfieldKayla BraxtonPete RosenbergSam Roberts

NXT Trainers

Matthew BloomNorman SmileyRobbie BrooksideSara Del ReyShawn MichaelsTerry Taylor

General Managers

Adam Pearce (Raw) • Nick Aldis (SmackDown) • Ava (NXT)

Wwe2014Current ChampionsWwe2014
New WWE World Heavyweight Title WWE Championship New WWE World Heavyweight Title
Roman Reigns
Universal Championship SDblue WWE Universal Championship Universal Championship SDblue
Roman Reigns
World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)World Heavyweight ChampionshipWorld Heavyweight Championship (WWE)
Seth Rollins
WWE Intercontinental Title Nov2019WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipWWE Intercontinental Title Nov2019
Gunther
WWE United States Championship 2020WWE United States ChampionshipWWE United States Championship 2020
Logan Paul
Women's World Championship (WWE)Women's World ChampionshipWomen's World Championship (WWE)
Rhea Ripley
WWE Women's Championship 2023WWE Women's ChampionshipWWE Women's Championship 2023
IYO SKY
20140811 belts tag 0WWE Raw Tag Team Championship20140811 belts tag 0
The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Bálor)
WWE Smackdown Tag Team ChampionshipWWE SmackDown Tag Team ChampionshipWWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Bálor)
WWE Women's Tag Team ChampionshipWWE Women's Tag Team ChampionshipWWE Women's Tag Team Championship
The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
NXT Championship 2022NXT ChampionshipNXT Championship 2022
Ilja Dragunov‎
NXT North American ChampionshipNXT North American ChampionshipNXT North American Championship
Oba Femi
NXT Tag Team Championship (2017)NXT Tag Team ChampionshipNXT Tag Team Championship (2017)
Baron Corbin & Bron Breakker
NXT Women's Championship 2022NXT Women's ChampionshipNXT Women's Championship 2022
Lyra Valkyria
NXT UK Heritage Cup ChampionshipNXT Heritage Cup ChampionshipNXT UK Heritage Cup Championship
Charlie Dempsey
Advertisement