The UK Top Ten Wrestlers Part 2
- Kimmie Funk
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Welcome back to our countdown of the Top 10 United Kingdom Wrestling Legends! We've already celebrated some truly influential figures who brought the unique flair of British wrestling to the world stage.
So far, we've paid tribute to the massive power of #10 Giant Haystacks and the wonderfully outrageous flamboyance of #9 Adrian Street. Now, let's move on to two more titans—one a celebrated voice and manager, and the other a generational in-ring talent who sparked a revolution.
#8 Lord Alfred Hayes: The Gentleman from London
Before becoming the beloved, quotable voice of WWF/WWE television, Lord Alfred Hayes enjoyed a significant career inside the ring and as an authoritative figure in the world of professional wrestling.
Born in London, England, in 1928, Hayes began his wrestling journey in the UK before transitioning to North America, where he became a key figure in various territories, often portraying an arrogant, cultured heel. His ring persona evolved, seeing him transition from an active competitor to a highly respected manager, leading wrestlers like Superstar Billy Graham.
Hayes’s wrestling roots were a source of great personal pride, something he often referenced with dignity. He once remarked,
"I'm very proud of where I came from; my life began on those wrestling mats in London and Manchester."
This pride in his heritage and history added a layer of genuine warmth to his later, more comical roles, distinguishing him as one of wrestling's true gentlemen.
Hayes's most enduring legacy began when he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1982. Initially used as a manager, his eloquence and charmingly dry wit soon landed him a permanent spot at the announce desk, often serving as a knowledgeable foil to the colorful commentary of Vince McMahon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura.
His signature sign-off, "Have a good week, everyone," became a staple of '80s and '90s wrestling television. While he may not have been the one taking the bumps, Lord Alfred Hayes was instrumental in guiding an entire generation of fans through wrestling's biggest boom period.
Hayes was a wheelchair user for the remainder of his life. He spent the last few years of his life in a retirement home, only venturing out of the home to make appearances at wrestling conventions sporadically. He later had a series of strokes and sadly passed on 21 July 2005 at his home in Texas.
#7 Paige/Saraya: The Anti-Diva and Catalyst for Change
Leaping forward several decades, we come to a revolutionary figure who carried the weight of her wrestling family's legacy while forging her own path as the "Anti-Diva": Paige, born Saraya-Jade Bevis.
Her journey began in her family's World Association of Wrestling in Norwich, England, where she wrestled from the age of 13 under the name Britani Knight. Her breakthrough came in WWE's developmental system, particularly in NXT.
Where she found a beloved mentor in the late, great Dusty Rhodes, who affectionately nicknamed her his "Printhess." Rhodes' belief in her was instrumental in her finding the confidence to embrace her unique personality.
She became the inaugural NXT Women's Champion and made an immediate and shocking impact on the main roster, winning the WWE Divas Championship in her debut match.
This stunning accomplishment solidified her as a trailblazer: she was the youngest Divas Champion in history and the only woman to simultaneously hold both the NXT and Divas titles. This accomplishment was a massive step in ushering in the 'Women's Evolution,' demanding that female wrestlers be taken seriously as athletes and performers.
Saraya is a testament to resilience, as she navigated the challenges of fame, personal struggles, and a devastating neck injury that forced her to retire from in-ring competition at the young age of 25.
Her life story was even immortalized in the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson-produced film, Fighting with My Family.
Following her WWE departure, the former Paige, now wrestling under her real name Saraya, made a miraculous return to the ring in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after a five-year hiatus, even capturing the AEW Women's World Championship. Currently a free agent after a mutual departure, she is enjoying a break to focus on new projects outside of the ring.
However, she has acknowledged that she feels the "bug" to wrestle again, leaving the door open for another chapter in this incredible UK legend's career.
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