Khel Now ranks top five Irish wrestlers in WWE history

Khel Now on 2026-08-10 published a list naming the top five Irish wrestlers in WWE history: Becky Lynch, Finn Balor, Sheamus, Lyra Valkyria and JD McDonagh. The piece outlines each performer's achievements within WWE's developmental brands and on the main roster.

WWE has featured performers from many countries, and the Stamford-based promotion has seen a notable rise of Irish talent over the last decade and a half. The Khel Now ranking highlights five Irish performers who the publication says have left significant marks in NXT, NXT UK and on WWE's main roster.

Lyra Valkyria made her NXT debut in 2022 and, within a year, was competing against top names on the brand. She dethroned Becky Lynch for the NXT Women’s Championship at the 2023 Halloween Havoc event. Valkyria moved to the main roster in 2024 and became the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion after what the article describes as a spectacular year, and the piece notes she continues to rise as a top Irish talent in WWE.

JD McDonagh trained under Finn Balor at Balor's wrestling school in Bray, Ireland before establishing himself on NXT UK and NXT. He later joined the main roster and aligned with The Judgment Day. The article records that McDonagh held the WWE World Tag Team Championships with Finn Balor in 2024 and is making waves as an Irish export in the promotion.

Sheamus debuted in WWE in 2009 and, within months of his arrival, defeated John Cena to win his first WWE Championship, becoming the first Irish-born WWE World Champion. The article states he has since claimed multiple championships and accolades and remains an active member of the Monday Night RAW roster.

Finn Balor joined NXT in 2014 following a successful tenure in NJPW and other independent promotions, according to Khel Now. He became a top attraction on the Black and Gold brand, earned a main roster call-up in 2016 and within weeks became the first-ever WWE Universal Champion. The piece adds that Balor is currently in charge of Judgment Day and has several top titles on his resume.

Becky Lynch began her career in NXT and was part of the Four Horsewomen before her breakout in 2018 when she adopted the persona 'The Man.' Khel Now records that Lynch was part of the first-ever WrestleMania main event for the women and won that match, and describes her as a marquee attraction in the wrestling world.

For more updates, the article directs readers to follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, download the Khel Now Android or iOS app, or join its communities on Telegram and WhatsApp. The story is credited to Nik O Conner, who the publication says is a long-time fan of professional wrestling; after dropping his Engineering regular studies in 2020 he decided to pursue writing and has contributed to multiple websites.