WWE’s Pete Dunne makes indie return amid ‘weird’ career ride

Pete Dunne WWE
Pete Dunne stands in the ring at NXT Great American Bash 2024. (Image credit: WWE)

The last few years have been a “weird ride” for him, but Pete Dunne is determined to prove that he’s still among the best wrestlers in the world.

Dunne currently wrestles under a mask for WWE as Rayo Americano, along with working behind the scenes in Lucha Libre AAA as a producer. With WWE’s permission, Dunne worked a match for Attack Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales on Friday. He competed as himself without the mask and defeated Leon Cage.

The 32-year-old Dunne then got on the microphone and thanked the fans for sticking with him.

“I know my career in the last few years has been ups and downs. It’s been a weird ride,” he said. “But I just want to thank you all for sticking with me. No matter what happens, I promise one thing — any time I’m given a chance to step in this ring, between these ropes, I’m going to prove to you all that I’m still one of the best wrestlers in the whole world.”

Pete Dunne praises Leon Cage —

Dunne then turned his attention to his opponent, praising Cage and saying he’s sure Cage will become one of the best wrestlers in the world one day and surpass what Dunne has done.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that British wrestling still doesn’t create some of the best wrestlers going,” Dunne said before vowing that “Brit Wres” will rise again because of people like Cage.

Dunne helped lead the most recent British wrestling boom, which resulted in WWE creating its now-defunct NXT UK brand. Tyler Bate, one of the other top wrestlers from that boom, now teams with Dunne in WWE as Bravo Americano. They’re aligned with El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and played a role in the highly praised Kaiser vs. Chad Gable mask match, which Dunne was the producer of.

Google Icon
Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.