Pete Dunne knows the last few years have been strange, and he is not pretending otherwise.
Dunne currently works under a mask in WWE as Rayo Americano while also helping behind the scenes in Lucha Libre AAA as a producer. However, he got to step out as himself again at Attack Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, with WWE’s permission, and he defeated Leon Cage in singles action.
After the match, Dunne grabbed the microphone and got honest with the crowd. He admitted his career has had ups and downs lately, but he thanked fans for sticking with him through it.
“I know my career in the last few years has been ups and downs. It’s been a weird ride. 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.”
That line hit because fans have watched Dunne go from one of the faces of British wrestling to a very different role in WWE. These days, he is aligned with Bravo Americano, played by Tyler Bate, and El Grande Americano, played by Ludwig Kaiser.
Dunne also took time to praise Leon Cage after their match. He told the crowd that Cage has the tools to become one of the best wrestlers in the world and even surpass what Dunne has done. He also made it clear that British wrestling is not dead, even after the scene took major hits over the years.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that British wrestling still doesn’t create some of the best wrestlers going.”
Dunne said “Brit Wres” will rise again because of wrestlers like Cage. That means something coming from him, because Dunne helped lead the last major British wrestling boom before WWE launched NXT UK.
Dunne has also stayed busy behind the curtain. He produced the praised Ludwig Kaiser vs. Chad Gable mask match, showing that his value to WWE and AAA goes beyond what fans see in the ring.
Still, his Attack Pro Wrestling speech made one thing clear. Pete Dunne knows his career has taken some weird turns, but he is not done proving himself. Mask or no mask, producer role or not, he still believes he is one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Do you think WWE should bring Pete Dunne back as himself full-time, or should they keep going with the Rayo Americano role? Let us know what you think in the comments.