Davey Boy Smith

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David Smith

David Smith (November 27, 1962 – May 17, 2002) was a British professional wrestler from Golborne, Wigan, who competed as The British Bulldog and Davey Boy Smith. The British Bulldog was one of the most physically powerful wrestlers in the business in the 1980s and 90s, but was also a great technician. He was a wrestler who became famous in a tag team and later was recognised as a great singles wrestler.

As a young child David Smith's ambition was to become a wrestling star. He went to gym training lessons every day after school where a wrestler named Ted Betley, who used to fight under the name of "Doctor Death", trained the future British Bulldog. By the time Davey Boy had turned 17, he was already wrestling semi-professionally all over England.

In the early 1980's Davey Boy, now a full-time professional, became a tag team partner for Big_Daddy_(Wrestler), then one of the most popular wrestlers in Britain. Davey Boy also wrestled in Germany, South Africa and Japan, for New Japan Pro Wrestling before he moved to Canada to compete for Calgary Stampede Wrestling.

After developing the reputation as an excellent wrestler overseas, Smith headed to Calgary, Alberta, where he competed in Stu Hart's Calgary Stampede Promotion. Here, he worked alongside longtime WWF stars Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Jim Neidhart, and fellow Ishingun member, the Dynamite Kid. It was also here in Calgary that Smith met his wife Diana, the sister of Bret and Owen Hart. Smith and the Dynamite Kid (who is also English) had their share of matches in Calgary, but it was when they began teaming up and took on the name "The British Bulldogs" that they would rise to new heights.

In 1984 Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid settled their differences and joined forces to win the Stampede International Tag Team Title. This wasn't the only title that Davey Boy would win. He also held the British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title, the Stampede Wrestling World Mid-Heavyweight Title, the Stampede North American Heavyweight Title, and the International Tag Team Title on three occasions.

The Bulldogs made their way to the WWF in late 1985. They were a smaller team than others in the WWF, but had aerial moves that captivated audiences the world over, and teamwork that was unmatched. It was also around this time that the Bulldogs took on legendary manager Captain Lou Albano. Despite the size disadvantage, they were scoring wins over bigger teams like King Kong Bundy/Big John Studd and others, and soon they got a shot at the tag team championship, held by the "Dream Team" of Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake. The first encounter between these teams came on Saturday Night's Main Event in early 1986. Although the Dream Team was victorious, the Bulldogs had earned a tremendous amount of respect for the tough time they gave the champs. Then came Wrestlemania II, which held matches in three different cities. As part of the Chicago card, the Bulldogs once again challenged the Dream Team for the gold. And right there, on April 2, 1986, the British Bulldogs defeated the Dream Team for the WWF tag team championship.

Davey Boy and Dynamite held the titles for several months, beating all comers. They also took on a mascot, a bulldog named Matilda. Then on January 26, 1987, the Bulldogs defended the gold against two men they were very familiar with from their days in Calgary, Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart (known as the Hart Foundation). The Dynamite Kid went into the match with a severely bad back, and Davey Boy had to wrestle the entire bout himself. Smith put up a galiant effort, as he had to deal not only with the Hart Foundation, but with their manager Jimmy Hart as well as controversial referee Danny Davis. However, the odds were too great, as Smith was beaten, and the Bulldogs relinquished the gold to the Harts.

For over a year following the loss, the Bulldogs remained top contenders. They battled the Hart Foundation several times (and scored non-title victories over the champs) as well as new-champs Demolition in 1988. But they were unable to take the titles. The Dynamite Kid's back problems continued, and before 1988 was out, the Bulldogs left the WWF. They wrestled some independent promotion cards, and also took a few trips to Japan. But it wasn't long before Dynamite's ongoing back injuries forced him to the sidelines.

In December of 1990, Davey Boy Smith returned to the WWF. However this time, many things had changed. For one, he was now tackling the singles ranks. For another, he had a new mascot, a bulldog named Winston. But the main change was his appearance. He sported long hair tied in dreadlocks. And he also sported a hugely muscled physique. The Bulldog carried approximately 275 pounds on his 5'11" frame. He was one of the thickest and strongest men in the WWF, and he immediately waged a war with the huge Warlord. Their feud came to a climax at Wrestlemania VII in 1991, during which the Bulldog was victorious.

Next up for Davey Boy was the Intercontinental Championship, then held by Curt Henning. The Bulldog was unsuccessful in winning the title in his attempt, and at Summerslam '91 Bret Hart used his opportunity to the best of his advantage, and earned the IC gold from Henning. It soon came out that Bret and the Bulldog were brothers-in-law. Davey Boy again expressed his desire to take the Intercontinental title.

In the summer of 1992, the WWF went to Davey Boy's home country of England. It was there that Summerslam was held, inside the famous Wembley Stadium. Over 80,000 people watched as the British Bulldog defeated Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title.

Davey Boy held the IC title for only two months before losing it to Shawn Michaels in October '92 as part of Saturday Night's Main Event. Soon after this, the Bulldog ran into drug problems and was subsequently released from WWF.

The Bulldog popped up in WCW during 1993. It was a brief stint, with his biggest match being a tag match during the summer of that year, alongside Sting against Vader and Sid. The Bulldog just didn't fit in in WCW, and it wasn't long before he left the company.

In the summer of 1994, Davey Boy appeared at Summerslam, as a spectator during the Bret Hart/Owen Hart cage match for the WWF title. Smith was interviewed beforehand, during which he said he was solidly behind Hart. At the end of this match, the Bulldog would come to Bret's assistance after the Hitman was attacked by Owen and Jim Neidhart.

The British Bulldog was back. He wrestled alongside his brother-in-law Bret, and rapidly climbed the ranks. He teamed up with Lex Luger as "The Allied Powers", and came within a hair of taking the tag titles from Owen Hart and Yokozuna. Then one night on Raw, Davey Boy asked then-WWF champion Diesel to team with him in a match against Men on a Mission. The Bulldog surprised the world by turning on Diesel in this match, and for the first time in his career, Davey Boy became a heel.

Smith took on Jim Cornette as his manager, and reunited with brother-in-law Owen Hart, as well as Yokozuna as part of Camp Cornette. The Bulldog cut off his hair, and soon got himself a WWF title shot at Diesel at IYH in 1995. The Bulldog won by DQ when Bret Hart interfered. After Hart defeated Diesel for the title at the Survivor Series in 1995, Smith got a title shot again, and came very close to defeating the Hitman, cutting Hart's head open during the match. But again, he was unsuccessful. Then after Shawn Michaels defeated Bret at Wrestlemania 12 in 1996, the Bulldog once again got himself a title shot in mid-96 at IYH. This time, the Bulldog pinned Shawn and was declared the champion, but video replay showed the Smith's shoulders had been down as well. They had a rematch, with Smith coming up on the short end of the stick.

In the fall of 1996, Smith and Owen Hart formed a tag team. Then on September 22, 1996 at IYH, the Bulldog and Owen defeated the Smoking Gunns for the tag team championship.

During their tag title reign, the WWF announced the introduction of the European championship. Owen and Bulldog took part in the tournament. Then ironically, on March 3, 1997, the two met in the tourney finals in Berlin, Germany, and Davey Boy defeated Owen for the title.

Davey Boy and Owen had their share of problems, and in the late spring of 1997, while they were still technically tag champions, the two met on Raw in a grudge match. It was a wild battle, but then Bret Hart ran in to straighten things out between them. Thus, the Hart Foundation was formed, which included Bret, Owen, Davey, Brian Pillman, and the returning Jim Neidhart.

On May 6, 1997, the Bulldog and Owen defended the tag titles against Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin in a challenge match. And after holding the titles for 8 months, the two Hart Foundation members lost the gold. Michaels forfeited his half of the title, and it was announced that a tag tournament would be held, with the winners to meet Steve Austin and a partner of his choice. The Bulldog and Owen continued their winning ways, taking the tournament. Then on July 14, 1997, the Bulldog and Owen met Steve Austin and his partner (Dude Love) for the titles on Raw. But the two Hart members were unable to win the belts. Davey Boy continued to hold on to the European title while he took part in tag matches with Owen Hart. He didn't defend it often, but did take part in tough defenses against Goldust (on Raw) and Ken Shamrock (at Summerslam '97) among others. With all his activity, the wear and tear started to take its toll on the Bulldog. He developed knee problems, and began to wear a right knee brace.

On September 20, 1997, in front of his home country in the UK, the Bulldog defended the European title against Shawn Michaels as part of a big "One Night Only" show. Smith again faced huge odds, as he had to contend not only with Michaels, but also with Michaels' "gang members" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, and Rick Rude. His knee problems also gave him trouble, and Smith eventually blacked out while locked in a Michaels' figure four. The referee stopped the match, and awarded the title to Michaels.

Following the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob' involving Bret Hart at the 1997 Survivor Series, Davey Boy Smith requested his release from the WWF. The request was granted, and the Bulldog promptly signed with WCW, where he spent most of his time on the sidelines with ongoing knee injuries. The Bulldog then suffered a serious back injury when he was bodyslammed onto the area of the WCW ring that contained a hidden "trap door" used for appearances by the Warrior. The injury sidelined Davey for several months and he nearly became paralyzed. WCW released him while he was in the hospital, but the Bulldog recovered and in a surprising move, re-signed with the WWF.

On the September 9, 1999 episode of WWF Smackdown!, the Bulldog's first night back, he won the Hardcore title from the Big Bossman, but forfeited the title to Al Snow in a goodwill-type gesture. Davey Boy then made his intentions clear; to win the WWF Championship. He then set his sights on the main eventers, including The Rock and Triple H. The Bulldog subsequently turned heel, and accidentally injured Stephanie McMahon during a WWF UK PPV when he threw a trash can in frustration and it struck Stephanie.

Despite his many accolades, the Bulldog failed to live up to expectations in his last WWF stint. Perhaps he wasn't the wrestler he once was, or maybe he was too old school. But the Bulldog went from a main eventer vying for the WWF Title to a low midcard wrestler that for a period of time was partnered with the Mean Street Posse. The Bulldog had one last run as Hardcore Champion when he defeated Crash Holly on May 6, 2000 at the UK pay-per-view Insurrextion in London. In the Spring of 2000 the Bulldog was admitted into a rehab center in Atlanta, seeking treatment for his addiction to pain killers. He checked himself out of rehab and subsequently returned to the WWF, but he reportedly failed in his attempt to overcome his addiction, and eventually the WWF was forced to release him. The Bulldog had planned to launch his own wrestling school in Calgary prior to his death.

The Bulldog's brother, Johnny Smith, was also a professional wrestler who had limited success in the United States and Japan. Through his marriage to Diana Hart-Smith, he was a brother-in-law of the Harts, including Bret Hart and Owen Hart, as well as Jim Neidhart (who was married to Bret and Owen's sister, Ellie; see also Stu Hart). He was, according to the book Pure Dynamite, a distant cousin of his long-time tag team partner, The Dynamite Kid. In late 2000, wife Diana Hart divorced him and retained custody of their son Harry Smith who is following David's footsteps, wrestling professionally in Stampede Wrestling. He died of a heart attack while vacationing at Envereme, British Columbia, with his new girlfriend, Andrea Hart.

Profile

• Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
• Weight: 255 lb (116 kg)
• Trained by: Ted Betley & Stu Hart
• Professional Debut: 1982
• Managers: Lou Albano, Diana Hart, Jim Cornette

Finishing / Signature Moves

• The Bulldog running powerslam
• Delayed vertical suplex
• Gorilla Press

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David Smith as "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith

Titles/accomplishments

• 1-Time WWF Intercontinental Champion
• 2-Time WWF World Tag Team Champion with The Dynamite Kid as The British Bulldogs, then with Owen Hart
• 2-Time WWF European Champion
• 2-Time WWF Hardcore Champion
• 2-Time Stampede North American Champion
• 4-Time Stampede International Tag-Team Champion (with Bruce Hart twice and The Dynamite Kid twice)
• 1-Time Stampede British Commonwealth Middleweight Champion

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 53 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked twice in the best tag teams of the "PWI Years". He was ranked # 5 with The Dynamite Kid and # 84 with Owen Hart.
• Smith was involved in the PWI Match of the Year in 1992 (vs. Bret Hart).

Preceded by: Bret Hart

WWE Intercontinental Champions

Succeeded by: Shawn Michaels