Known for movies

Short Info

SpouseMelanie Duffin, Paula O Doyle', Lisa Moretti, Mel Finlay
FactBeat Bobby Lashley in a Lumberjack Match and won for the qualification of the Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania 22 on April 2. [March 2006]


David Edward “Dave” Finlay Jr. (born 25 October 1958) is a Northern Irish professional wrestling trainer, producer and retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE as a producer.

Finlay was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He began his career in 1974, wrestling in various independent promotions in Ireland and the United Kingdom. He wrestled in his first World Championship Wrestling (WCW) match in 1989 and made his first appearance for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1995.

Finlay held numerous championships throughout his career, including the WCW World Television Championship and the WWF European Championship. He is a former United States Heavyweight Champion, a three-time Hardcore Champion, a two-time World Tag Team Champion and a one-time Intercontinental Champion. He retired from professional wrestling in 2006.

In 2012, Finlay was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Early Life

David Edward Finlay Jr. was born on 25 October 1958 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was raised a Protestant. His father, David Sr., was a former boxer who fought professionally as “Kid Chocolate” and encouraged his son to enter the sport. Finlay’s mother died when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandmother, Rose.

Finlay began wrestling at the age of 14, making his debut in 1974. He wrestled in various independent promotions in Ireland and the United Kingdom throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1985, he defeated “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith to win the British Heavy Middleweight Championship.

Career

World Championship Wrestling (1989–1991)

Finlay made his World Championship Wrestling (WCW) debut in 1989, wrestling Rick Steiner. In 1990, he wrestled Sting for the NWA World Television Championship at The Great American Bash, but was unsuccessful in winning the title. Finlay feuded with Sid Vicious in 1991 and defeated him at Halloween Havoc.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1995–2006)

Finlay made his World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) debut in 1995, wrestling jobbers such as Barry Horowitz and Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly. In 1996, he defeated Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw to win the WWF European Championship. He held the title for two months before losing it to Marc Mero.

Finlay continued to wrestle on the midcard throughout 1997 and 1998. In 1999, he won the WWF Hardcore Championship from Al Snow. He held the title for two days before losing it to Big Boss Man. In 2000, he defeated Kurt Angle to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship. He held the title for one day before losing it to Chris Jericho.

In 2001, Finlay formed a tag team with William Regal and they won the WWF World Tag Team Championship from The Dudley Boyz at Survivor Series. They held the title for two months before losing it to The Rock and Undertaker. In 2002, Finlay won the Hardcore Championship for a second time, defeating Maven at WrestleMania X8. He held the title for one day before losing it to Goldust.

In 2003, Finlay began wrestling on Velocity and SmackDown!. In 2004, he won the United States Heavyweight Championship from John Cena at No Way Out. He held the title for two months before losing it to Booker T at Judgment Day. In 2005, he won the Hardcore Championship for a third time, defeating René Duprée at Taboo Tuesday. He held the title for one day before losing it to Matt Hardy.

In 2006, Finlay wrestled his final match against Fit Finlay at Velocity. He retired from professional wrestling shortly afterwards due to injuries sustained during his career.

In 2012, Finlay was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his son David Jr..

General Info

Full NameDave Finlay
Height1.78 m
Weight104.3 kg
ProfessionActor, Professional Wrestler
NationalityBritish

Family

SpouseMelanie Duffin, Paula O Doyle', Lisa Moretti, Mel Finlay
ChildrenDavid
ParentsDave Finlay Sr.

Accomplishments

MoviesWWE: Armageddon 2007, WWE: Survivor Series 2006
TV ShowsECW, Saturday Night's Main Event

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Lost his debut match on Smackdown to Matt Hardy by disqualification. [January 2006]
2Beat Bobby Lashley in a Lumberjack Match and won for the qualification of the Money in the Bank Match at Wrestlemania 22 on April 2. [March 2006]
3Drafted to ECW brand along with Hornswoggle. [June 2008]
4Beats Bobby Lashley for the WWE United States Championship. [July 2006]
5Works as a road agent for World Wrestling Entertainment. [2002]
6Finlay will make his in-ring debut on Friday Night SmackDown 20th January 2006 [January 2006]
7"Adopted" Dylan (Hornswoggle) Postl when the two crossed over from "WWE Raw" to ECW, after "disowned" by Vince McMahon.
8Some sources claim that he became the first WCW Hardcore Champion after winning a "Junkyard Invitational" match at Bash at the Beach 1999. Though he did win a "hardcore trophy", he wasn't officially considered champion. The official Hardcore title was won by Norman Smiley after beating Brian Knobbs in the tournament final at WCW Mayhem 1999. WWE, however, recognizes him as a former champion.
9In 1993, he captured the CWA Intercontinental title.
10Won The Junkyard Invitional At Bash at The Beach 1999.
11Held 16 major titles in Great Britain and Germany.
12In 1995, he made his debut with World Championship Wrestling as the "Belfast Brawler".
13On July 25, 1999 at a WCW House Show, Brian Knobs (Brian Yandrisovitz) threw Fit through a table, slicing his leg open badly lacerating a nerve in his knee. Doctors immediately operated, but only gave him a 50% chance of walking again. In late 1999, he proved to the world that he was not through yet, returning during a WCW card to viciously assault Brian Knobs (Brian Yandrisovitz). Fit & Knobs feuded with each other for a while before joining forces in mutual respect.
14Signed with the WWF as a Road Agent after WCW was purchased. He is also responsible for working with WWE Divas and training them for their matches.
15British Heavy Middleweight Champion (5); British Light Heavyweight Champion (3); World Mid-Heavyweight (2); World Mid-Heavyweight Champion (3); British Heavyweight Champion; CWA (Catch Wrestling Association) World Tag-Team Champion w/ Marty Jones; CWA (Catch Wrestling Association) World Middleweight Champion (3); CWA (Catch Wrestling Association) Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion; WCW World Television Champion
16Former WCW TV & Hardcore Champion
17Professional wrestler

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
WWE 2k152014Video GameFit Finlay (voice)
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 20112010Video GameFinlay (voice)
WWE Superstars2009-2010TV SeriesFinlay
E.C.W.2007-2009TV SeriesFinlay
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 20102009Video GameFinlay (voice)
WWE Live in the UK: April 20092009VideoFinlay
WWE Live in the UK: November 20082009VideoFinlay
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 20092008Video GameFinlay (voice)
WWE Live in the UK: October 20072008VideoFinlay
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 20082007Video Game shortFinlay
WCW Millennium Final2000TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW Uncensored2000TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW SuperBrawl 20002000TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW Souled Out2000TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW Thunder1998-1999TV SeriesFit Finlay
WCW Monday Nitro1996-1999TV SeriesFit Finlay Belfast Bruiser
WCW Bash at the Beach1999TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW Souled Out1999TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW/NWO Halloween Havoc1998TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW/NWO The Great American Bash1998TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW/NWO Slamboree1998TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW World Championship Wrestling1996-1998TV SeriesFit Finlay
WCW World War 31997TV MovieFit Finlay
WCW Uncensored1996TV MovieFit Finlay
The Boxer1979

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
WWE Raw2014TV Series producer - 1 episode
WWE Smackdown!2008-2010TV Series producer - 10 episodes

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
WWE Raw1993TV Series road agent - 2001-

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
WWE Raw2002-2016TV SeriesFinlay Fit Finlay Sir Finlay ...
WWE Money in the Bank2015TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Night of Champions2014TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE: OMG! Volume 2 - The Top 50 Incidents in WCW2014VideoHimself
WWE Battleground2013TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Hall of Fame 20132013TV SpecialHimself
WWE Hall of Fame 20122012TV SpecialHimself
The Fit Finlays2010TV Movie documentaryHimself
WWE Smackdown!2006-2010TV SeriesFinlay Fit Finlay Sir Finlay
Survivor Series2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Bragging Rights2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE: The Bash2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Backlash2009TV SpecialFinlay
The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Hall of Fame 20092009TV SpecialHimself (as Fit Finlay)
WWE No Way Out2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Royal Rumble2009TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Armageddon2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Cyber Sunday2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Unforgiven2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Great American Bash2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Night of Champions2008TV SpecialFinlay
WrestleMania XXIV2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE No Way Out2008TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Royal Rumble2008TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Armageddon2007TV SpecialFinlay
Survivor Series2007TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Cyber Sunday2007TV SpecialFinlay
WWE No Mercy2007TV SpecialFinlay
Summerslam2007TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Saturday Night's Main Event2006-2007TV SeriesFit Finlay Finlay
WWE Draft Special2007TV SpecialFit Finlay
WrestleMania 232007TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Hall of Fame 20072007TV SpecialHimself (as Fit Finlay)
WWE No Way Out2007TV SpecialFit Finlay
Royal Rumble2007TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Armageddon2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
Survivor Series2006TV SpecialFinlay
WWE No Mercy2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
Summerslam2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Great American Bash2006TV SpecialFinlay
WWE vs. ECW: Head to Head2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Judgment Day2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Velocity2006TV SeriesFinlay
WrestleMania 222006TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Hall of Fame 20062006TV SpecialHimself (as Fit Finlay)
WWE No Way Out2006TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Sunday Night Heat2006TV SeriesFinlay
WWE Royal Rumble2006TV SpecialFinlay
WWE Vengeance2005TV SpecialFit Finlay, Road Agent
WWE Royal Rumble2005TV SpecialFit Finlay
Survivor Series2004TV SpecialFit Finlay
WWE Judgment Day2004TV SpecialFinlay
WWE: Trish Stratus - 100% Stratusfaction2003Video documentaryHimself (as Dave 'Fit' Finley)
WWE Divas: Undressed2002TV Special documentaryFit Finlay
WCW/NWO Starrcade1998TV SpecialFit Finlay
World of Sport1964TV SeriesWrestler (1978-1985)

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
WWE Batista: The Animal Unleashed2014VideoFinlay
WWE the Ladder Match 2: Crash & Burn2011VideoFinlay
WWE: Rey Mysterio - The Life of a Masked Man2011VideoFinaly
WWE: The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro2011VideoThe Belfast Bruiser
Smackdown: The Best of 2009-20102010VideoFinlay
WWE: Satan's Prison - The Anthology of the Elimination Chamber2010VideoFinlay
The Best Pay Per View Matches of the Year 2009-20102010VideoFinlay
WWE Raw2006-2010TV SeriesFinlay
WWE Summerslam: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 42008Finlay
Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection2008VideoFinlay
WWE: Twist of Fate - The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story2008VideoHimself
WWE Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 42008VideoFinlay
WWE Smackdown!2006-2007TV SeriesFinlay
WWE: The New & Improved DX2007VideoFinaly
Best of ITV Wrestling: A to Z2006VideoHimself

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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