Brogan Finlay stepped into the WWE spotlight as Uriah Connors, adding another chapter to one of wrestling’s most storied family legacies. This fourth-generation wrestler was born on September 1, 2002, and signed with WWE’s NXT brand in 2023. He chose a path that sets him apart from his famous family members.
Being WWE legend Dave “Fit” Finlay’s son and professional wrestler David Finlay’s brother hasn’t stopped Brogan from carving his own path in the wrestling world. He started his training at the WWA4 Pro Wrestling School in Atlanta under AR Fox in 2020 and stepped into the ring for his first professional match in early 2021. His WWE experience kicked off at NXT Roadblock 2024 with a match against Shawn Spears that ended in defeat. The young wrestler built his skills on the Southeastern independent scene and showed up on NJPW Strong in 2022 before joining WWE. At just 21 years old, this promising competitor has taken big steps to prove he’s more than just another name in the Finlay wrestling dynasty.
Early Life and Wrestling Roots
The Finlay family’s wrestling legacy runs deeper than most people know. Brogan Finlay was born on August 26, 2002, and wrestling runs through his veins. His DNA carries four generations of wrestling heritage. Professional wrestling wasn’t just a career choice for him – it was his destiny.
Growing up in a wrestling family
The Finlays stand tall as one of the UK’s longest-performing wrestling families. Their remarkable story started with Brogan’s great-grandfathers, William Finlay and John Liddell. Both men wrestled professionally and laid the foundation for their family’s future in the sport. The legacy continued through Brogan’s grandfather, David Finlay Sr., who was born in 1936 and learned the ropes from his father to become a wrestler and promoter in Ireland.
Wrestling truly defines the Finlay family’s identity:
- First generation: William Finlay and John Liddell (great-grandfathers)
- Second generation: David “Dave” Finlay Sr. (grandfather)
- Third generation: Dave “Fit” Finlay (father)
- Fourth generation: David Finlay III and Brogan Finlay (brothers)
David Sr. became a big name in Irish wrestling circuits and started promoting events throughout Ireland. His son Fit Finlay’s career began unexpectedly in 1974 during one of his father’s shows in Glynn, Northern Ireland. A scheduled wrestler didn’t show up, so 16-year-old Fit, who had trained since age eight, stepped into the ring. This last-minute debut kicked off an amazing career that took him across Europe, earned him championships, and made him a respected WWE performer and coach.
Influence of Fit Finlay and David Finlay
Fit Finlay’s impact on professional wrestling reaches way beyond his ring performances. He competed in promotions like World of Sport and claimed titles such as the British Middle Heavyweight Championship. Later, he joined WCW and WWE, where he now works as a respected producer and coach.
Brogan’s older brother David Finlay III was born in Germany in 1993 while Fit competed for CWA. David trained under both his father and grandfather before making his professional debut in 2012 against future NXT UK Champion WALTER. He blazed his trail in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and made history as one of the few Young Lions to win championship gold. Today, he leads NJPW’s Bullet Club faction.
Choosing his own path
Despite his family’s wrestling achievements, Brogan wants to build his own identity. His brother David says, “He’s been very good with, ‘I don’t wanna do what dad did, I don’t wanna do what you did. I wanna be my own man.'”
David tried to convince Brogan to follow his footsteps through Japan. “I’ve been obviously trying to sweet talk him into like, ‘Hey! You can do Japan for a few years,’ but he was like, ‘Nah. I wanna go do my own path.'” Brogan started his journey at the WWA4 Pro Wrestling School in Atlanta under AR Fox in 2020.
Brogan trained briefly at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling dojo before COVID-19 hit. His decision to sign with WWE in December 2023 shows his determination to create his own wrestling legacy, separate from his father’s and brother’s achievements.
Training and Independent Circuit Journey
Unlike wrestlers from famous wrestling families, Brogan Finlay started his professional experience away from his family’s direct guidance. The 21-year-old wrestler has built a strong foundation by performing in multiple wrestling promotions before joining WWE.
Training at WWA4 under AR Fox
Brogan started his wrestling education in 2020 at the WWA4 Pro Wrestling School in Atlanta, Georgia. He chose a different path than his father and brother. Rather than training with family members or at the NJPW dojo like his brother David, Brogan learned from prominent high-flyer AR Fox.
WWA4 (World Wrestling Alliance 4) has earned its reputation for creating technically sound performers with versatile skill sets. Brogan spent about a year learning fundamentals, ring psychology, and developing his in-ring persona under Fox’s guidance. The COVID-19 pandemic limited training opportunities for new wrestlers during this time.
First match and early losses
Brogan stepped into the ring for his professional wrestling debut in early 2021. His first major match happened at ACTION Wrestling’s third anniversary show on April 16, 2021, against fellow WWA4 trainee Bobby Flaco. A loss in this match helped establish him as a competitor who stood on his own merit.
The young wrestler expanded beyond a single promotion that same year. His rookie tour featured appearances in:
- Beyond Wrestling (where he defeated Chris Dickinson at a Beyond Project Dolphin event)
- NJPW Strong for two dates
- Various southeastern independent promotions
Most second or third-generation wrestlers get immediate pushes because of their family name. Brogan chose the path of an independent wrestler and learned from his early losses. This helped him earn respect from fans and peers who might have dismissed him as someone trading on the Finlay name.
Experience with NJPW Strong and GCW
Brogan made his NJPW Strong debut on September 26, 2021, teaming up with his brother David Finlay. This rare family collaboration gave him valuable tag team experience and exposure to Japanese wrestling style that shapes many top WWE performers.
He continued his work with NJPW Strong throughout 2022. His Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) debut came on August 20, 2022, at their “Hope To Die” pay-per-view event. GCW stands out as one of North America’s leading independent promotions, known for its intense physical style and edgy presentation.
Brogan became a regular performer in several notable independent promotions by 2023:
- Game Changer Wrestling (GCW)
- Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW)
- Black Label Pro
- Wrestling Revolver
- IWTV-affiliated promotions
His last independent match featured a bout against Tony Deppen at GCW’s “Si or No?” event. Over two years of independent wrestling gave him exposure to different styles and audiences. This created a strong foundation for his WWE career.
Brogan’s path through the independent circuit showed his steadfast dedication to learning wrestling from scratch instead of using family connections. After a Performance Center tryout in September 2023, he signed with WWE in December 2023, marking the end of his independent apprenticeship.
Brogan Finlay’s WWE NXT Debut
Brogan Finlay’s career hit a turning point when he joined WWE’s developmental system after years of perfecting his skills on the independent circuit. This fourth-generation competitor’s journey from indie wrestler to NXT superstar became one of his career’s most important milestones.
Signing with WWE in 2024
Brogan Finlay signed with WWE in December 2023 after a successful Performance Center tryout in September 2023. The 21-year old prospect joined WWE while his brother David Finlay had become a major star in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Their success added to the Finlay family’s worldwide wrestling legacy. Brogan started his journey at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
WWE gave Brogan a new identity in the ring. He became “Uriah Connors” instead of using his family name. This change helped him create his own path away from the Finlay legacy. The new name matched what Brogan always wanted – to build his own unique identity in professional wrestling.
Debut match at NXT Roadblock
Uriah Connors stepped into a WWE ring for the first time at NXT Roadblock on March 5, 2024. The young talent faced veteran Shawn Spears at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Brogan showed off his technical skills and aggressive strikes, but Spears’s experience won the match.
His performance still impressed everyone. He pulled off several amazing moves that showed his technical foundation and physical abilities. People who knew the Finlay style saw his father’s hard-hitting approach mixed with his own unique flair.
Initial fan and industry reactions
Brogan’s debut received positive feedback from many sides:
- Wrestling journalists loved his solid fundamentals and polished look despite his limited experience
- Long-time fans celebrated the Finlay legacy while noticing his unique ring style
- Industry veterans saw his potential to become a standout performer
Friends from the independent scene congratulated Brogan on social media for reaching this milestone. His father, Fit Finlay, a WWE producer, watched his son’s debut match from backstage. This created a special moment for their wrestling family.
Another Finlay joining WWE creates exciting storytelling possibilities. His father works as a producer with WWE while his brother stars in a rival company. These connections could lead to interesting developments.
In-Ring Style and Signature Moves
Brogan Finlay’s wrestling style blends technical precision with hard-hitting strikes that showcase his family legacy and personal growth as a performer. His current WWE NXT persona, Uriah Connors, stands out among newcomers with a unique mix of power moves and submission techniques.
Finishing and signature moves
His offensive moves demonstrate versatility across multiple wrestling styles. His signature moves include:
- Superkick
- Spin-out Powerbomb
- Dropkick
- Bicycle Kick
- Single Leg Boston Crab transitioned into a Stepover Toehold Facelock
These techniques showcase his detailed training background that combines traditional European wrestling fundamentals with modern high-impact maneuvers. His finishing sequence often features technical submission holds that run deep in his family’s wrestling tradition.
Tag teams and stables
Brogan Finlay made his mark as both a singles competitor and tag team specialist during his independent career. His tag team partnerships tell an interesting story:
He created “Air BNB” with Bobby Flaco from August 2021 to January 2022. The “Fundamental Violence” team came next, where he joined forces with Damion Turner and Pete Youngblood from June 2022 to January 2023. His time with the “Brat Pack” stable brought him together with Billie Starkz, Leon Slater, Nick Wayne, Starboy Charlie, and Marcus Mathers.
After joining WWE as Uriah Connors, he paired up with Kale Dixon from August 2024 to April 2025. His move to “Chase University” in April 2025 alongside Andre Chase and Kale Dixon marked his first major NXT faction membership.
Nicknames and persona
The wrestling world knew him as “The Bruiser” and “The Future” during his independent days[152], while “The Heartbreak Killer” added to his mystique. These names captured his aggressive style and bright future in the industry.
WWE’s decision to rebrand him as Uriah Connors helped create his own identity beyond the family name. His 6’1″ frame and 201-pound physique bring intensity to matches through powerful strikes and technical grappling. His NXT development phase shows constant growth and dynamic performances.
The Finlay Legacy and Brogan’s Future
Brogan Finlay stands at the crossroads of tradition and state-of-the-art wrestling techniques. He represents a new chapter in one of wrestling’s longest-running family stories. His WWE career under the ring name Uriah Connors is different from his family’s established paths.
How Brogan is different from his father and brother
Fit Finlay built his reputation on brutal, no-nonsense European style wrestling that emphasized realistic violence. His son Brogan has developed a more mixed approach. While his father’s career thrived in Europe before his WCW and WWE runs, Brogan chose American independent promotions to train.
His brother David took to Japanese strong style through NJPW and became the Bullet Club leader. Brogan went a different way. He picked the WWE Performance Center system instead of following his father’s European roots or his brother’s Japanese influences. This choice shows his drive to build his own wrestling identity.
Brogan’s style blends technical basics with modern high-flying moves – elements his father rarely used. His decision to adopt the Uriah Connors persona shows he wants to make a name for himself beyond the Finlay legacy.
David Finlay’s thoughts on Brogan’s career
David openly backs his younger brother’s career choices. “He’s been very good with, ‘I don’t wanna do what dad did, I don’t wanna do what you did. I wanna be my own man,'” David said about Brogan’s unique approach.
David tried to convince his brother to join NJPW: “I’ve been obviously trying to sweet talk him into like, ‘Hey! You can do Japan for a few years,’ but he was like, ‘Nah. I wanna go do my own path.'”
What’s next for Brogan in WWE NXT
Brogan’s immediate future looks tied to Chase University, with tag team matches alongside Chase and Dixon. This stable gives him the perfect chance to develop his character and sharpen his ring skills.
His technical skills could lead to singles matches in NXT’s midcard division. If he keeps developing at this pace, main roster opportunities definitely await this fourth-generation wrestler.
The next few months will show if WWE taps into the Finlay legacy or keeps positioning Brogan as Uriah Connors – separate from his family’s rich wrestling history.
Summing all up
Brogan Finlay represents a unique moment in professional wrestling history. At just twenty years old, he carries the legacy of four wrestling generations while carving out his own path. His choice to join WWE instead of following his brother to Japan or his father’s European career shows his drive to create his own legacy.
This young competitor’s path from WWA4 training to his NXT debut as Uriah Connors tells a story few fourth-generation wrestlers have dared to write. He didn’t rush to cash in on his family name. Instead, he spent years honing his skills in independent promotions and earned respect through pure grit rather than his birthright.
All the same, you can see glimpses of the Finlay legacy in his hard-hitting style, though he mixes it with modern elements his family never used. This mix of tradition and state-of-the-art techniques makes him fascinating to watch.
His current role with Chase University gives him the perfect stage to grow in NXT. His solid technical base combined with youth and raw athleticism points to a bright future ahead. Without doubt, WWE’s leadership sees the rich storytelling potential in his family’s background.
Brogan Finlay stands as a bridge between wrestling’s rich history and its changing future. He brings a surprising wisdom to the ring despite his age. He honors his heritage but refuses to live in its shadow. The fans who watch his early NXT matches might just be witnessing the first chapter of wrestling’s next great story.
Here are some FAQs about Brogan Finlay:
Who is Brogan Finlay?
Brogan Finlay is a professional wrestler and the son of legendary wrestler Fit Finlay. He is currently signed to WWE and performs on their NXT brand, following in his father’s footsteps. Information about his career and background can be found on Brogan Finlay Wikipedia pages and wrestling databases.
What did Finley use in WWE?
Fit Finlay, Brogan Finlay’s father, was known for using the shillelagh (a traditional Irish wooden club) as his signature weapon in WWE. He often incorporated this weapon into his matches, particularly during his ” Belfast Bruiser” persona. This aggressive style influenced many wrestlers, including possibly Brogan Finlay wrestler development.
Does Finley still work for WWE?
Fit Finlay (David Finlay Sr.) currently works for WWE as a producer and agent, helping behind the scenes with match preparation and talent development. His son Brogan Finlay WWE career is separate, as he is currently competing as a wrestler in NXT. Both Finlays remain associated with the company in different capacities.
Is David Finlay still in Bullet Club?
David Finlay (not to be confused with Brogan Finlay) is currently the leader of Bullet Club, having taken over the faction in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. This is a different Finlay than Brogan Finlay NXT performer, as David is Brogan’s half-brother. The Finlay wrestling family has multiple members across different promotions.
Are there any LGBT wrestlers in WWE?
Yes, WWE currently has several openly LGBT wrestlers on their roster, including Sonya Deville, who is openly lesbian. The company has become more inclusive in recent years, creating a welcoming environment for all performers. This inclusivity extends to all talent, including developing wrestlers like Brogan Finlay wrestler.
Why was Finley fired from the WWE?
This question likely refers to Fit Finlay’s 2011 release from WWE, which was part of budget cuts and not related to any specific incident. He was later rehired in a backstage capacity, where he continues to work today. This history is separate from Brogan Finlay WWE aspirations and current NXT career.
How do WWE female wrestlers deal with periods?
Female WWE wrestlers manage periods like other elite athletes, using appropriate menstrual products and working with medical staff to manage any symptoms. The company provides health support and accommodations as needed for all performers. This professional approach to athlete wellness benefits all talent, including those working with veterans like Brogan Finlay’s father.
What did Finlay do?
Fit Finlay had a legendary wrestling career as both a performer and agent, known for his tough technical style and helping develop many current stars. His son Brogan Finlay wrestler is now continuing the family legacy in NXT. The Finlay family has made significant contributions to professional wrestling across multiple generations.
Who is the lunatic in WWE?
“The Lunatic” was the nickname for Dean Ambrose, who now wrestles as Jon Moxley in AEW. This character was known for his unpredictable, wild behavior and hardcore wrestling style. While Brogan Finlay Wikipedia pages show he’s developing his own persona, he hasn’t adopted a similar “lunatic” character in NXT.
