The British Bulldog, also known as Davey Boy Smith, was one of the most popular and successful professional wrestlers of his generation. He was a fan favorite in his home country of England, as well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, and other parts of the world. He won numerous titles and accolades in his career, including the WWF Intercontinental Championship, the WWF European Championship, the WWF Tag Team Championship, and the WCW World Tag Team Championship. He was also a member of the famous Hart family by marriage, and had legendary feuds and matches with his brothers-in-law Bret Hart and Owen Hart.
However, behind his impressive physique and charismatic persona, The British Bulldog struggled with various health issues and personal problems that ultimately led to his premature death at the age of 39. In this article, we will explore the life, career, and tragic death of The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith.
Contents
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Davey Boy Smith was born in Golborne, Lancashire, England in 1962. He started his professional wrestling career as a teenager, training with Ted Betley and teaming up with his cousin Tom Billington, better known as the Dynamite Kid. The duo became known as The British Bulldogs, and made their first television appearance when Smith was only 15 years old.
The British Bulldogs soon caught the attention of Bruce Hart, who invited them to Canada to train in his father Stu Hart’s famous “Dungeon”. There, they honed their skills and became stars in Stampede Wrestling, as well as in Japan. They also met and married two of Stu Hart’s daughters, Diana and Michelle, respectively.
In 1984, The British Bulldogs joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where they quickly became one of the most popular and exciting tag teams in the company. They won their first WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 2 in 1986, defeating The Dream Team of Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine. They held the titles for nearly nine months before losing them to The Hart Foundation, another tag team composed of Smith’s brothers-in-law Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart.
The British Bulldogs continued to feud with The Hart Foundation and other teams until 1988, when they left the WWF due to backstage issues. Smith and Billington also had a falling out over the rights to The British Bulldog name, which Smith had trademarked.
Singles Success and Main Event Status
Smith returned to the WWF in 1990 as a singles competitor under the name The British Bulldog. He quickly rose up the ranks and became one of the top faces (good guys) in the company. He had memorable matches with Mr. Perfect, The Warlord, The Mountie, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and others.
In 1992, Smith achieved the biggest victory of his career when he defeated Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship in front of over 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London. The match is widely regarded as one of the best matches in WWF history, and was voted Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine.
Smith held the Intercontinental title for two months before losing it to Michaels. He then left the WWF again due to a steroid scandal that rocked the company. He spent some time in Japan and Europe before returning to the WWF in 1994.
Smith rejoined The Hart Foundation, which now included Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, Owen Hart, and Brian Pillman. They became a heel (bad guy) faction that feuded with American wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and others. Smith also won his second WWF Tag Team Championship with Owen Hart in 1996.
In 1997, Smith became the first ever WWF European Champion by defeating Owen Hart in a tournament final in Germany. He successfully defended the title against various challengers until he lost it to Shawn Michaels at One Night Only in England. The match was controversial because Smith was supposed to win but Michaels changed the finish without telling him.
Smith then left the WWF again and joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he formed a tag team with Jim Neidhart called The British Bulldogs. They won the WCW World Tag Team Championship once before Smith suffered a serious back injury that sidelined him for several months.
Health Problems and Personal Issues
Smith’s back injury was caused by a trap door that was installed under the ring for a stunt involving The Ultimate Warrior. Smith landed on it during a match and damaged his spine. He sued WCW for negligence and received a settlement of $1.5 million.
However, Smith’s health problems did not end there. He became addicted to painkillers and steroids to cope with his chronic pain and maintain his muscular physique. He also developed heart problems and high blood pressure. He was arrested several times for domestic violence, drug possession, and assault. He divorced his wife Diana in 2000 and lost custody of his two children, Harry and Georgia.
Smith attempted to make a comeback in the WWF in 1999, but he was released after failing a drug test. He then wrestled for various independent promotions in the UK and North America. He also reconciled with his cousin the Dynamite Kid, who was also suffering from health issues and wheelchair-bound.
Death and Legacy
In 2002, Smith was vacationing with his girlfriend Andrea Redding in British Columbia, Canada. On May 18, he suffered a massive heart attack and died. The coroner’s report suggested that past steroid use and addiction to painkillers may have played a part in his death. According to Sportscasting, he was 39 years old.
Smith’s death shocked and saddened the wrestling world, as he was one of the most beloved and respected performers of his era. He was praised for his athleticism, strength, charisma, and versatility. He was also a pioneer of the British wrestling scene, inspiring many future stars such as William Regal, Wade Barrett, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, and others.
Smith’s legacy lives on through his son Harry Smith, who followed in his footsteps and became a professional wrestler. Harry Smith wrestled for the WWE from 2006 to 2011 under the name David Hart Smith, and won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Tyson Kidd as The Hart Dynasty. He currently wrestles for Major League Wrestling (MLW) under the name Davey Boy Smith Jr., and is also a mixed martial artist.
In 2020, Smith was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. His son Harry accepted the honor on his behalf. Smith is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and a true legend of the sport.
Conclusion
The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith was a wrestling superstar who entertained millions of fans around the world with his amazing skills and personality. He achieved great success and fame in his career, but also faced many challenges and difficulties in his personal life. He died too young, but left behind a lasting legacy that will never be forgotten. He was a true British Bulldog.
