Well if the RN don't appear to be brilliant it's IMHO mainly because they not fight for domination, they have it, but for supply. That's a far less glamourous task. And the RN zone is just the world witch mean lot of ship, few who can be the best but lot who can be where needed. ( For exemple Graff Spee wasn't engaged by the force seeking him, but the ships who are near enought to go after her )
The kriegsmarine was never a threat to the RN. They was hampered by politic ( Hitler's love for big gun, Goering will of not sharing his flying toy ). They had started building ship for a big fleet but was catch in war before they build enought ship to build a surface fleet and don't see the coming of the air domination ( but IMHO no politician have seen that, the fleet for the war in 1945 would have a core of 8 more heavy BB than the bismark )
But the German fleet was never able to go for the RN on deep sea, they have to hide and try to pass unseen. And it wasn't long that they stop trying to be a match for the RN, and give the command to Doenitz.
The Regia Marina don't help. Same as everywhere the army don't want to give them plane. Democracy help sometime. Their carrier is called Italy and don't move far ( 3cm north a year
). Worst, a footmen is in command and want the ships to be able to repel an ennemy force, so to have the most of their power safe ( sweet dream ) at home.
AfAIR in the meantime a guy called Cunningam stated something like "A ship is build in 3 year, a tradition in 3 century" ...
Without a wortly opponnent it's hard to shine.
But it's better than being shot by former ally because the footmen surender to an opponent you had beat when he dare come to you.