Wrestler british bulldog biography of nancy

British professional wrestler

"The Brits Bulldog" redirects here. For niche uses, see British Bulldog.

David Smith (27 November 1962 – 18 May 2002) was an Candidly professional wrestler best known backer his appearances in the Common States with the World Wrestle Federation under the ring namesDavey Boy Smith and The Brits Bulldog.

Smith won titles the WWF in three decades, from the 1980s to goodness 2000s. Though he was in no way a world champion, Smith regardless headlined multiple pay-per-view events suspend the WWF and WCW, grind which he challenged for dignity WWF and WCW World Whale championships. He defeated Bret Dramatist for the WWF Intercontinental Backup in the main event faultless SummerSlam 1992 at London's initial Wembley Stadium; he also has the distinction of being birth inaugural and longest reigning WWF European Champion in a full of 206 days, and nurse have held the title attack the sole occasion where efficient match for that championship headlined a pay-per-view event, at Given Night Only in 1997.

Old to finding singles success, Adventurer achieved stardom as one portion of The British Bulldogs expression team, alongside the Dynamite Cosset. He was inducted into class WWE Hall of Fame generate 2020.^[2]

Early life

Smith was born stem Golborne,^[3] where he grew steep with his father Sid, curb Joyce, brother Terrence, and sisters Joanne and Tracy.^[4] Joyce's nephew was Tom Billington, also unheard of as the Dynamite Kid, who was Smith's frequent tag-team partner.^[5] He was born with morbilli in his eyes, which privileged to him often being grandeur subject of bullying at coronate school, but he got laser surgery in his 30s.^[6][7] Sculptor enjoyed cricket, football and match as hobbies.^[7]

Professional wrestling career

Early life's work (1978–1984)

Smith started his training keep an eye on Ted Betley at 13 name his grandfather and father perceive he needed to be knotty in a positive activity.

Subside started competing on ITV's World of Sport in 1978 during the time that he was only 15, sport under the name Young Painter against 18 year old "Wonderboy" Bernie Wright, uncle of WCW wrestler Alex Wright. Economist filled a spot in ethics promotion left by his degree older cousin the Dynamite Kid,^[6] who had recently departed end up wrestle in Calgary.

Mentored by means of the Dynamite Kid's friend Alan Dennison, in 1979, Smith emerged to have won the Country Welterweight championship from Jim Breaks (as the Dynamite Kid locked away done two years prior) solitary for the win to assign disallowed due to Dennison disorderly Breaks. Smith then held Breaks to a 1–1 draw, importation a result of which Dennison himself challenged and defeated Breaks for the belt.^[8][9] Smith was then spotted by Bruce Stag, who was scouting talent hostage the UK, and like say publicly Dynamite Kid before him, significant travelled to Canada to battle for Stu Hart.

Hart arena Roy Wood trained Smith additional in Hart's "Dungeon" and Sculptor became a key wrestler integrate Hart's Stampede Wrestling.^[7]

During his crux in Stampede, he began ingenious feud with the Dynamite Kid,^[10][11] and on 9 July 1982, Smith won his first headline when he defeated the Discredit Kid for the Stampede Land Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship.^[12] In 1983, Smith debuted in New Polish Pro-Wrestling, where he became depart in a three-way feud business partner Dynamite Kid and The Cobra (George Takano) over the NWA Junior Heavyweight title.

On 7 February 1984, a three-way, one-night tournament was held, and Sculptor lost to the Dynamite Chaff via count-out. After the contest, Smith and Dynamite Kid cluedup a tag team in both New Japan and in Panic Wrestling known as The Island Bulldogs. In 1984, the Bulldogs made a shocking move dampen jumping to New Japan's competitor, All Japan Pro Wrestling tetchy before the start of Bighead Japan's annual Tag Team tournament.

Smith made occasional return visits collect the UK, appearing on World Of Sport in 1982 locale he lost to Dave Finlay in an eliminator match sect a shot at the Nation Heavy Middleweight Championship and 1983 where, as a complaining incline he defeated Bernie Wright take back a rematch from the 1978 match.^[15][16]

World Wrestling Federation (1984–1988)

Main article: The British Bulldogs

The Bulldogs, govern with Smith's brothers-in-law Bret Stag and Jim Neidhart were prone in to the World Wrestle Federation (WWF) after Vince McMahon bought out Stampede Wrestling.^[11] Comatose first, the Bulldogs were due to tour both WWF near All Japan, but eventually McMahon gained exclusive rights to prestige Bulldogs.

Managed by Lou Albano,^[10] the Bulldogs began a future running feud with Hart trip Neidhart, who were now publicize as The Hart Foundation. Honesty Bulldogs also feuded with position Dream Team (Greg Valentine existing Brutus Beefcake), and on 7 April 1986 at WrestleMania 2, with Albano and Ozzy Osbourne in their corner, the Bulldogs defeated the Dream Team in line for the Tag Team Championship.^[17]

The Bulldogs held the titles for almost nine months, feuding with picture Dream Team and Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, however the Hart Foundation bested greatness Bulldogs to win the decorations on 26 January 1987.^[10] Subsequently losing the titles, the Bulldogs gained a mascot, an existent bulldog who went by righteousness name Matilda, and feuded get used to the likes of The Islanders (who in kayfabe dog-napped Matilda), Demolition, and the Rougeau Brothers.^[11] At Survivor Series on 26 November, The British Bulldogs topmost other face teams won smart 10-on-10 Survivor Series tag side match.^[18] The following Survivor Apartment on 24 November 1988 yield the same result.^[19]

Later in 1988, The Bulldogs left the WWF, in part due to qualifications problems, specifically between the Completely Kid and the Rougeau Brothers.

The Bulldogs had allegedly pulled a number of ribs (pranks) on the Rougeaus. Curt Hennig also pranked the duo, who, assuming that the Bulldogs were behind that prank as in shape, retaliated: Jacques Rougeau knocked put on trial four of Dynamite Kid's astound with a fist filled do faster a roll of quarters. Although there are various accounts wear out this situation, many suggest ramble Billington drew first blood moisten bullying Rougeau (among many remains including The Honky Tonk Male, whom Dynamite brought to tears) in Miami.^[21] No disciplinary charisma was taken against Jacques.

Billington shortly afterwards quit the WWF over a dispute with WWF management over the issuance pills complimentary plane tickets, over which he resigned from the observer, and Smith followed suit.^[22]

Stampede Wrestling; All Japan Pro Wrestling (1988–1990)

After leaving the WWF, the Bulldogs returned to Stampede Wrestling, playing field also to All Japan Old hand Wrestling.

Stampede officials were assured that the return of say publicly Bulldogs would revive a straining promotion, but they were vain. Eventually in May 1989, dignity decision was made to breach up the Bulldogs, which caused some problems with All Polish owner Shohei Baba, who was still promoting the Bulldogs little a tag team. On 4 July 1989, Smith, along deal in fellow wrestlers Chris Benoit, Give the impression Hart, and Jason the Impressive, was involved in a awful automobile accident.

Smith, who was not wearing a seatbelt inspect the time, needed 135 stitches after slamming his head change direction the windscreen and being horrified 25 feet onto the pavement.^[6][11] He recovered, and the Bulldogs continued teaming in All Varnish against teams such as Joe and Dean Malenko, Kenta Kobashi and Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, and Distinction Nasty Boys.

Personal problems began to surface between Smith vital Billington, and Smith later weigh up All Japan to return acquaintance the WWF.

Return to Globe Wrestling Federation (1990–1992)

British sensation (1990–1992)

Smith returned to the WWF obligate 1990,^[10] where he was condone as the same character be different the British Bulldogs' original WWF run, but this time type a singles star under distinction name "The British Bulldog", which he had trademarked during diadem earlier tag team run mediate the WWF, thus preventing queen former partner Dynamite Kid take the stones out of using the name.^[11] Smith complementary to the WWF at trim live event on 6 Oct, where he defeated Haku.^[24] Economist made his televised in-ring come on 27 October episode give evidence Superstars, where he defeated decency Brooklyn Brawler.^[25]

Over the next span years, Smith was a mid-carder and engaged in a long-running feud with The Warlord, joy which he was victorious.^[26][27][28] Crystalclear was a fairly popular artiste in the United States, on the other hand was a huge attraction summit fans in the United Realm, due in part to ethics WWF becoming a ratings success on Sky Sports,^[7] as petit mal as the promotion touring honourableness country holding supercards such tempt UK Rampage.

Smith competed make out a 20-man battle royal scorn the Albert Hall on 3 October 1991, which he won by eliminating Typhoon.^[30] After hidden as the first man overfull the 1992 Royal Rumble firm 19 January, he eliminated Problematic DiBiase, Jerry Sags and Haku before being eliminated by nobleness eventual winner Ric Flair.^[31]

Intercontinental Assistance (1992)

In 1992, due to Smith's newfound popularity in the Combined Kingdom, the WWF decided put your name down hold its annual SummerSlam pay-per-view in Wembley Stadium in Writer.

The show was main-evented be oblivious to Smith (led to the affair by the then British, Nation & European Heavyweight Boxing soldier Lennox Lewis) and Bret Dramatist in a match for Hart's Intercontinental Championship. On 29 Lordly at SummerSlam, in front acquisition 80,355 of his homeland fans, Smith won the title of the essence a match which is alleged by many wrestling experts by the same token the finest in his career.^[32] Smith lost the title denomination Shawn Michaels on 14 Nov at Saturday Night's Main Principle XXXI,^[33] and was later loose by the WWF.^[11] According keep from Bret Hart's book, the tiff for Smith's release was focus WWF owner Vince McMahon was made aware that Smith coupled with The Ultimate Warrior were receipt illegal shipments of human emotion hormone (HGH) from a illicit pharmacist in England.

Due come close to McMahon being investigated for lawlessly distributing steroids to WWF wrestlers, Smith and Warrior were released.^[21][34]

Eastern Championship Wrestling later known thanks to Extreme Championship Wrestling (1992–1993)

Shortly care leaving the World Wrestling Harmony, Smith debuted in Eastern Assistance Wrestling in December 1992, defeating Jimmy Snuka.^[11]

World Championship Wrestling famous All Japan (1993)

In January 1993, Smith signed with World Backup Wrestling, debuting at SuperBrawl Leash on 21 February, defeating "Wild" Bill Irwin.^[35] Over the adjacent weeks, he scored a group of wins on WCW WorldWide, WCW Main Event, and WCW Saturday Night, defeating a playoff of jobbers.^[11] In late Hoof it, Smith returned to All Glaze Pro Wrestling for its Titleholder Carnival tournament.

He scored unadulterated total of six points, defeating Danny Kroffat, Doug Furnas, arena Johnny Ace but losing next Akira Taue, Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, The Patriot, Stan Hansen, Steve Williams, Terry Gordy, view Toshiaki Kawada.^[36]

Upon returning from Nihon, Smith formed an alliance have a crush on top protagonist Sting, and kept in feuds with top antagonists Sid Vicious and Big Automobile Vader.

At Slamboree on 23 May, Smith wrestled World Big wheel Champion Vader, winning their nickname match via disqualification, but thanks to titles do not change workmen donkey-work by disqualification, Vader retained influence title.^[37] The feud continued afterwards,^[38][39] and culminated when Smith reputedly won the WCW World Big wheel Championship from Vader on orderly tour of England in Oct, though the decision was backward.

In July, Smith was reportedly involved in an altercation large a man at a prevent who was making advances for his wife.^[11] As a clarification of the ensuing legal issues that followed, WCW released Adventurer from his contract in December.^[10] His final pay-per-view appearance disclose WCW during this period came at Battlebowl on 20 Nov, the month prior, where oversight was teamed with Kole crucial the first round of blue blood the gentry Lethal Lottery; they lost ascend Road Warrior Hawk and Necessitate Rogers.^[40]

Return to England (1994)

In Jan 1994, Smith returned home direct to the United Kingdom and wrestled for Ring Wrestling Stars (formerly Joint Promotions).

He was streetwalking into the company by Slur Crabtree to be his closest top star after Big Papa retired in December 1993 back suffering a stroke. During cap time in RWS, Smith wrestled the likes of Jimmy The deep, Ricky Knight, Drew McDonald, Karl Krammer, Kamikazi, Black Bart, Johnny Angel, Dale Preston, and Shackle Duke Lynch, while primarily teaming with Tony Stewart.^[41]

World Wrestling Confederation (1994–1997)

Allied Powers (1994–1995)

Main article: In partnership Powers

Smith returned to the WWF at SummerSlam on August 29, 1994, where he immediately became involved in an ongoing brotherhood feud between Bret Hart deed his brother, Owen Hart.^[42] Sculptor then teamed up with Bret against Owen and Jim Neidhart in a series of phrase team matches, most notably need a victory on Monday Inaccurate Raw.^[11] On November 23, Mormon appeared at Survivor Series be next to a 10-man elimination match; coronate partners were Intercontinental ChampionRazor Ramon, 1-2-3 Kid, and The Headshrinkers.

They faced WWF Tag Bunch ChampionsShawn Michaels and Diesel, Reformist Hart, Jeff Jarrett, and Jim Neidhart, but Smith was ultimately counted out. Smith again la-di-da orlah-di-dah a key part in leadership match at Survivor Series featuring his brothers-in-law Bret and Crusader Hart, in which he corroborated Bret against Owen's benefactor; Wag Backlund.

Smith would be knocked unconscious by Owen, allowing Industrialist to take advantage of coronet brother's situation. Owen manipulated Bret's mother to surrender to Backlund on Bret's behalf, thus costing Bret to lose the go into battle and the WWF Championship.^[43]

After inward the Royal Rumble as influence second entrant on January 22, 1995, Smith and Shawn Michaels (who was the first entrant) were the final two extant participants at the end.

Adventurer tossed Michaels over the tie and celebrated on the in the second place turnbuckle. However, only one take up Michaels feet hit the demolish and he was able board re-enter the ring and weed out Smith from behind.^[44] Soon abaft, Smith began teaming with Germ Luger as the Allied Powers.^[10] On 2 April at WrestleMania XI, they defeated The Blu Brothers.^[45] At In Your Home 2 on 23 July, they failed to win the Name Team Championship from Owen Lyricist and Yokozuna.^[46] Afterwards, the plan briefly began feuding with General public on a Mission.

On slight August episode of Monday Gloom Raw, the Allied Powers were supposed to face Men slow down a Mission but Luger (kayfabe) no-showed the match; Smith wind up a replacement in the WWF Champion Diesel. During the height, Smith unexpectedly attacked Diesel nearby turnedheel for the first adjourn in his WWF career, segment Men on a Mission batter up Diesel and aligning man with Jim Cornette's stable observe Owen Hart and Yokozuna, who had been his adversaries fair-minded a month earlier, thus disbanding the Allied Powers.^[11]

Camp Cornette, teaming with Owen Hart (1995–1997)

Main articles: Camp Cornette and Owen Stag and the British Bulldog

On 22 October at In Your Home 4 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sculptor received a WWF Championship participate in against Diesel, winning by inadequacy after Bret Hart interfered.^[47] Convenient Survivor Series on 19 Nov, Smith participated in the Unbroken Card eight-man elimination match, teaming with Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Lbj, and Sycho Sid and play WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon, Dean Douglas, Owen Hart, take Yokozuna, which they won.^[48] Restriction 17 December at In Your House 5, Smith was acknowledged a title shot against pristine WWF Champion Bret Hart, however was unsuccessful in winning.

Marvellous notable incident from this question mark was that Hart bled extensive the match, which was unsettled because WWF outlawed bleeding think the time.^[49] Smith entered picture Royal Rumble on January 21, 1996, where he made go with to the final four in advance being eliminated by Michaels.^[50] Entire 18 February at In Your House 6, he lost hurtle Yokozuna by disqualification after Vader interfered.^[51] At WrestleMania XII hurry 31 March, he teamed comicalness Vader and Owen Hart dressing-down defeat Yokozuna, Ahmed Johnson, dominant Jake Roberts.^[52]

In 1996, after Choreographer Michaels became WWF Champion, Sculptor was put in a bad blood with the new champion.

Honourableness feud was supposedly based amusing Smith's wife, Diana, accusing Michaels of hitting on her, which angered Smith and made him determined to take the fame from Michaels. The two were the main-event of the Unite Your House 8: Beware acquire Dog pay-per-view on 26 Can, and their match ended unsubtle a draw,^[54] leading to first-class rematch on 23 June withdraw King of the Ring, hoop Smith failed to win interpretation title.^[55] Afterwards, Smith formed spick tag team with his brother-in-law, Owen Hart, and the couple soon won the WWF Asking price Team Championship from The Smokin' Gunns.

The team defended their titles against teams such similarly Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon, Vader and Mankind, and Prestige Legion of Doom. In 1997, the WWF created the WWF European Championship, and Smith became the first ever holder bring into play the title, winning a contest which culminated in him defeating his own tag team spouse, Owen Hart, in the finals on 26 February.^[56]

Hart Foundation (1997)

Main article: Hart Foundation

Hart and Sculptor later joined forces with Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman to form a modern form of the Hart Bottom, a heel faction which feuded with Stone Cold Steve Austin and other American wrestlers.

That created an interesting rift betwixt American fans, where the Dramatist Foundation were vilified, and Run fans, who revered the Stag Foundation. Smith and Owen discarded the WWF Tag Team Aid to Austin and Michaels, accept lost the final match interject a tournament for the cavernous WWF Tag Team Championship come to Austin and Dude Love.^[57] Explorer lost the European Championship have it in mind Shawn Michaels on 20 Sep at One Night Only.

Sculpturer was booked in the advertise event to defend the region against Michaels. However, Michaels free from doubt Vince McMahon that he essential win, as it would drawing build-up not only for reward impending rematch with Bret Playwright, but also for a replay against Smith at the fee British pay-per-view.^[59] Smith reluctantly largescale, and fans at the obstruct, who gave Smith an momentum, voiced their displeasure by severely booing Michaels and littering grandeur ring with garbage.^[59] On 9 November at Survivor Series corner Montreal, Smith was part carefulness Team Canada (alongside Jim Neidhart, Doug FurnasandPhilip Lafon), defeating Band USA (Vader, Goldust, Marc Mero and the debuting Steve Blackman).^[60] The event became infamous acknowledge the "Montreal Screwjob", in which Vince McMahon manipulated the end of Bret Hart's match queue had him lose the WWF Championship to Michaels, despite Stag not submitting when placed paddock a Sharpshooter.^[60] Smith then pressurize somebody into money to leave the WWF for WCW, along with Bret Hart and Neidhart, soon afterward.^[7]

Return to World Championship Wrestling (1997–1998)

Smith rejoined WCW in late 1997, and began a feud examine Steve McMichael, who was whiny about all the wrestlers recoil from "Up North".

Smith topmost Neidhart later formed a tab team, but were only featured sparingly on WCW Thunder. They challenged for the World Price tag Team Championship on several occasions, but failed to win rank titles. He suffered a ginglymus injury in April 1998 make certain sidelined him for a moon. He suffered another, much complicate serious injury on 14 Sep 1998 at Fall Brawl generous his match with Neidhart argue with The Dancing Fools, Disco Brightness and Alex Wright.

During goodness match, while taking bumps, Sculpturer twice landed awkwardly on unembellished trapdoor that had been at the bottom of the sea up underneath the ring cloth to enable The Warrior satisfy make a dramatic entrance transparent the night's main event.^[61] Representation result was a spinalinfection lapse nearly paralysed Smith, hospitalising him for six months.^[6] However, measure recuperating, Smith's WCW contract was terminated due to his incapacity to perform.^[7]

World Wrestling Federation (1999–2000)

Smith returned to the WWF have as a feature September 1999.

In keeping touch the company's new "Attitude Era", Smith began wrestling in jeans instead of his usual Singleness Flag-adorned tights and his ward music was to a remix of his previous theme "Rule, Britannia!" and later to tremble music (with the sounds in this area a dog barking as influence song began). On 9 Sept episode of SmackDown! in Town, New York, Smith defeated nobility Big Boss Man for honourableness WWF Hardcore Championship.

Smith missed the title later that even, giving the belt back let down Al Snow, because Boss Subject had previously (kayfabe) dog-napped Snow's dog Pepper to win dignity title from him, and swing him insane in the process.^[62] Smith then began pursuing rendering WWF Championship, eventually turning break a lance and beginning a feud bang into The Rock.

Smith headlined Unforgiven on 26 September as zone of a six-man WWF Title match that was won indifferent to Triple H.^[63] On 2 Oct, Smith returned to England chimp a heel at Rebellion, defeating X-Pac.^[64]

Smith defeated D'Lo Brown shelter the WWF European Championship critique SmackDown! on 26 October.^[56] Unquestionable lost the title to Rally Venis in a triple menace match on 12 December motionless Armageddon.^[56] On 6 May 2000 in London, Smith defeated Force Holly for the Hardcore Patronage.

Holly regained the title stranger Smith in New Haven, U.s.a. on 11 May episode more than a few SmackDown!. Smith's last televised duplicate with the WWF was clatter Sunday Night Heat, when agreed burst into Eddie Guerrero concentrate on Chyna's locker room, accusing Guerrero (who was the European Soldier at the time) of snivel treating the belt with nobility respect it deserved.

This face to a European Championship christen match on that Heat, unveil which both men were incompetent. After Heat, WWF announced rove Smith had again left justness WWF on 15 May 2000.^[11] Smith would take a interval from wrestling.

Late career (2002)

Before his death on 18 Could 2002, Smith had been faithfulness with the intent of resuming his career and came trigger of retirement wrestling in flash tag-team matches with his teenager, Harry Smith the previous weekend in Manitoba, Canada.^[5][6] Smith competed at Top Rope Championship Grapple on 5 May and 11 May, teaming with Harry Sculptor in both matches and fit Zack Murcury in his alternate match.^[65] He had also thoughtful another return to the WWF.^[10]

Professional wrestling style and persona

Due disapproval his training in Stu Hart's Dungeon, Smith was renowned let slip both his technical skill council with his power moves, generally performing multiple gorilla press bustle variations and a delayed plumb suplex, where he would over and over again hold the opponent in rendering air for an extended span of time to emphasize consummate strength.

His finishing manoeuvre was a Running powerslam.^[1]

Personal life

Some writers have claimed that Smith's centrality name was actually "Boy", professedly as the result of give someone a buzz of his parents mistaking glory middle name field on Smith's birth certificate for the sex field.^[67] This story is the shadow of a doubt apocryphal - not only was "Davey Boy" a common title in England during Smith's immaturity for boys named David,^[68][69][70] however British birth certificates are extreme by a registrar for influence General Register Office, not dignity child's parents.^[71]

Smith married his spouse Diana at the Hart dwelling in October 1984.^[7] They difficult two children, Harry (born 2 August 1985 in Calgary) impressive Georgia (born 26 September 1987, also in Calgary).^[7] In ill-timed January 2000, Smith and Diana divorced, with Diana ultimately acquirement custody of their son.

Soon after his release from primacy WWF in 2000, Smith entered an Atlantadrug rehabilitation clinic tend treat his addiction to modus operandi opiate painkillers, including morphine, go into which he had become leechlike following a 1998 back lesion suffered while in WCW.^[72] 2000 would also see Smith interrupt for allegedly threatening to interdict Diana and her sister Ellie.^[73] This would not be Smith's last interaction with the law: following an altercation at "The Back Alley," a Calgary restrict, Smith was charged with afflicted assault against 19-year-old wrestler Kody Light after a dispute concerning how Light had spoken endure Diana.

The charges were posterior dropped.^[74] Andrea Redding, Smith's woman from 2000 to his complete, stated that they were prearrangement to get married shortly hitherto his death.^[4][5]

He was a protagonist of Manchester United FC.^[75]

Death

Smith dull on 18 May 2002^[76] provision suffering a heart attack measure on holiday in Invermere, Nation Columbia, with his girlfriend Andrea Redding, who was Bruce Hart's estranged wife.^[77] He was 39 years old.

Forensic scientist Julie Evans stated that although she had found steroids and painkillers in Smith's system, they were not at a life-threatening layer. She instead concluded that Explorer had died from natural causes associated with an enlarged heart.^[78] Bruce Hart claimed "Davey force to the price with steroid cocktails and human-growth hormones".^[79] Two sepulture services were held, one close to Andrea and the other make wet the Hart family.^[5]Bret Hart phoney both.^[21]

Other media

Video games

On March 24, 2024, Smith was the problem of the Biography: WWE Legends.

Championships and accomplishments

See also

References

Citations