WWE has seen some Irish pro wrestlers come and go over the last decades. The sports entertainment juggernaut has currently a handful of Irish lads and ladies who are competing at the highest level. Some of these superstars have dominated the main event scene for years.
Of course, the more familiar names include Sheamus and Becky Lynch. There are some individuals tearing it down in NXT as well. Superstars like Lyra Valkyria and Uriah Connors (aka Brogan Finlay) are showcasing their strengths under the watchful eye of Shawn Michaels.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s take a look at five Irish pro wrestlers who are still active in WWE.
JD McDonagh
Birthname: Jordan Devlin
Birthplace: Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
Age: 34
A pupil of Finn Balor, Jordan Devlin gained recognition for his excellent work in independent promotions such as Over the Top Wrestling and Progress Wrestling. Devlin was part of the first ever WWE NXT United Kingdom Championship Tournament way back in 2017.
He would be eliminated in the quarterfinals against Tyler Bate. Devlin would be part of some of the best matches in the brand’s history. His NXT UK run ended following a loss to Ilja Dragunov on the brand’s 200th episode.
After delivering one of the best triple threat matches in NXT Orlando history, Devlin (now JD McDonagh) was called to the main roster as part of the WWE Draft 2023. He’s currently a part of The Judgment Day stable on RAW.
Finn Balor is one-half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions
Birthname: Fergal Devitt
Birthplace: Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
Age: 42
He’s the founder of the Bullet Club. The inaugural WWE Universal Champion. He is Finn Balor. The real-life Fergal Devitt arrived in NXT following an extremely successful stint in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Balor would unleash his alter ego “The Demon” on the Black and Gold Brand.
Balor would be pushed to the title picture upon his main roster debut in 2016. He’d defeat Seth Rollins to become the first-ever Universal Champion. The win, however, came at the cost of a terrible injury. Balor would relinquish the title on the RAW after SummerSlam 2016.
Some might argue that Balor never got his momentum back after his injury. He would return to NXT in 2019 to embark on another critically-acclaimed run. The RAW superstar is one-half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions.
The fate of the titles will be decided in a Six Pack Ladder Match at WrestleMania XL.
Sheamus
Birthname: Stephen Farrelly
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 46
The Celtic Warrior may be one of the more underrated names on the roster despite being a multi-time world champion. Sheamus was pushed to the moon during his feud with John Cena in 2009. However, many felt the push came too soon.
Sheamus would have a decent run as a World Heavyweight Champion in 2011-12. He’d feud with Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the road to WrestleMania 32. His greatest work, however, would come in 2022 against Gunther for the Intercontinental title.
Also, he’s got a great YouTube channel called “Celtic Warrior Workouts.”
Fit Finlay
Birthname: David John Finlay Jr.
Birthplace: Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Age: 66
Danno O’Mahoney and Fit Finlay’s influence and contributions to this business can never be denied. The former is credited with giving pro wrestling the Irish whip. The latter’s greatest accomplishment is helping female performers transition from showpieces to legitimate wrestlers.
Finlay (formerly The Belfast Bruiser) gained recognition in WCW for his stiff feud with William Regal. The two men used to beat the life out of each other whenever they laid eyes on each other. Finlay transitioned from an active in-ring performer to a coach for women wrestlers following Vince McMahon’s purchase of WCW.
Former WWE Women’s Champion Victoria once stated: “He (Finlay) made us and molded us. He got to know what made us tick, exposed that, and there was nothing we couldn’t do. Today, the girls pick and choose what moves they want to do. If Fit Finlay wasn’t around, that wouldn’t happen. We worked stiff. We made contact.”
Becky Lynch is a former WWE WrestleMania main eventer
Birthname: Rebecca Quin
Birthplace: Limelight, Ireland
Age: 37
Becky Lynch is arguably the most recognized Irish pro wrestler on this list. The real-life Rebecca Quin is one of the most popular WWE stars of the modern era. She’s also one of the highest-paid superstars in the company.
Lynch joined the Stamford-based promotion in 2013. She’d work the NXT brand for two years before arriving on the main roster. Lynch’s main roster debut would coincide with the “Women’s Revolution” in 2015.
Lynch’s popularity completely skyrocketed in 2018-19 prompting WWE to book an all-women WrestleMania main event for the first time in company history. At the time of the writing, Lynch is the number one contender to Rhea Ripley’s Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania XL.
