Few wrestlers bridged as many eras in WWF history as The British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith. From the tag team glory of the Hulkamania era, through the title hunts of the New Generation, to the Attitude Era’s chaos, Bulldog was there — a constant presence who proved himself a draw in three very different wrestling landscapes. While he never captured the WWF Championship, his career left an indelible mark, especially for British fans who saw him as their national hero.
From Wigan to the World: British Wrestling Roots
Born in Golborne, near Wigan, England, in 1962, Davey Boy Smith began wrestling as a teenager in the famous Wigan Snake Pit, learning a catch-as-catch-can style that gave him technical credibility from day one. Trained under Ted Betley and influenced by the Hart family after moving to Canada, Smith was a natural blend of British mat-wrestling skill and North American power.
His early career saw him working in Joint Promotions on ITV’s World of Sport, where British wrestling was still a Saturday afternoon staple. This foundation gave him the technical acumen and toughness that would later set him apart in the U.S.
The British Bulldogs and Hulkamania
Smith’s first major U.S. success came as one half of The British Bulldogs with his cousin, the legendary Dynamite Kid. The duo quickly earned a reputation for revolutionary speed and precision in the tag division.
At WrestleMania II (1986), in front of a national audience, the Bulldogs defeated The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) to win the WWF Tag Team Championships — with none other than Ozzy Osbourne at ringside to celebrate. This crossover moment cemented Bulldog and Dynamite as one of the hottest tag teams of the Hulkamania era.
Even after injuries sidelined Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith remained a fixture in WWF, transitioning to a singles career that would define the 1990s.
SummerSlam 1992: A National Hero
Bulldog’s defining moment came on August 29, 1992, at SummerSlam 1992, held at Wembley Stadium in London before more than 80,000 fans — still the largest live WWF crowd in UK history.
In the main event, Bulldog challenged his brother-in-law Bret “Hitman” Hart for the Intercontinental Championship. It was a watershed moment: the first and only time a WWF pay-per-view was headlined by a non-World Title bout, simply because the match mattered that much.
The bout delivered in every way. Hart carried the psychology, while Bulldog brought the power and athleticism, creating one of the greatest Intercontinental Championship matches of all time. When Bulldog scored the pinfall, Wembley exploded, and Smith became an icon in British wrestling history. For fans in the UK, this wasn’t just a wrestling match — it was validation that a British wrestler could headline the world stage.
The New Generation Title Hunts
Through the mid-1990s, Bulldog was a regular presence in the WWF Title scene, even if he never captured the belt.
- 1994 – Defeated Bob Backlund by countout at a house show, just before Diesel’s title reign began.
- 1995 Royal Rumble – Lasted until the final moment, controversially eliminated by Shawn Michaels.
- In Your House 4 (1995) – Challenged Diesel for the WWF Title, winning by disqualification.
- In Your House 5 (1995) – Faced Bret Hart for the title in a much-hyped rematch of their Wembley classic.
- Royal Rumble 1996 – Another close brush with the gold.
- In Your House 8: Beware of Dog (1996) – Faced Shawn Michaels in a WWF Title feud that played heavily on real-life family drama, involving his wife Diana.
Bulldog also became a key part of Camp Cornette (alongside Owen Hart, Vader, and Jim Cornette), giving him a regular spot in the upper card. His versatility — working as both a beloved babyface and a credible heel — ensured he was always in the mix.
WCW Run: A Main Event Player Abroad
In 1993, Bulldog briefly jumped to WCW, where he was immediately pushed as a top babyface. He headlined Slamboree 1993 against Vader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, proving his credibility outside WWF. Feuds with Rick Rude and a young Steve Austin kept him relevant, though injuries and disputes eventually brought him back to the WWF.
The Attitude Era Return
In 1999, Smith returned to WWF during the Attitude Era, adopting a tougher, jeans-wearing “street fighter” look to better fit the edgier product. While never a central character in the chaos of Austin, The Rock, and Triple H, Bulldog still received a significant WWF Title opportunity in the Six-Pack Challenge at Unforgiven 1999, competing against The Rock, Mankind, Kane, Big Show, and Triple H.
Though he never captured the top belt, Bulldog’s ability to span three radically different eras — Hulkamania, New Generation, and Attitude — remains rare in WWF history.
Championships Beyond the WWF Title
While the WWF Championship eluded him, Bulldog’s résumé was impressive:
- WWF Intercontinental Champion – defeated Bret Hart at SummerSlam 1992.
- WWF Tag Team Champion – with Dynamite Kid as the British Bulldogs.
- WWF European Champion – the inaugural champion in 1997, defeating Owen Hart in Germany.
- WWF Hardcore Champion – late in his career.
His role in launching the European Championship highlighted WWF’s push into the UK market, where Bulldog was often the face of live tours.
The Dark Side of the Legacy
Bulldog’s story, like many of his generation, is shadowed by personal struggles. Substance abuse and painkiller dependency plagued his later years, with accusations of violence and instability colouring his personal reputation. Bret Hart often spoke of Bulldog being impaired during their SummerSlam 1992 classic, though many fans dispute this, pointing to Bulldog’s crisp execution that night.
He tragically died on May 18, 2002, from a heart attack at just 39 years old. His passing, linked to years of steroid and drug abuse, robbed wrestling of one of its most enduring figures.
Hall of Fame and Posthumous Recognition
In 2020, Davey Boy Smith was finally inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, with his family accepting on his behalf due to the pandemic. While some argue the Hall of Fame doesn’t always reflect true influence, Bulldog’s induction felt long overdue.
His legacy remains strongest in the UK, where fans remember him as their wrestling hero — the man who headlined Wembley and proved a Brit could stand alongside the world’s best.
Davey Boy Smith in 2025: A Lasting Inspiration
Today, in 2025, Bulldog’s influence still echoes:
- His SummerSlam 1992 victory is celebrated annually as one of WWE’s defining UK moments.
- Modern British stars like Drew McIntyre, Pete Dunne (Butch), and Will Ospreay often cite Bulldog as an inspiration.
- His children, Harry Smith (wrestling as Davey Boy Smith Jr.) and Georgia Smith, continue to preserve his legacy through wrestling and media.
- WWE frequently revisits his highlights in documentaries and retrospectives, ensuring new fans understand his place in history.
For all the tragedy and missed opportunities, Davey Boy Smith remains one of the most beloved figures in British wrestling. He spanned three distinct eras, won multiple championships, and gave UK fans their proudest moment on the world stage.
A Final Word
Davey Boy Smith was not just a footnote in the stories of Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, or The Undertaker. He was a star in his own right — a man whose mix of power, agility, and charisma made him a true one-of-a-kind.
He may never have held the WWF Championship, but his legacy as a trailblazer for British wrestling, a survivor of multiple eras, and a Wembley Stadium hero is secure.
Rest in peace, British Bulldog. Gone too soon, but never forgotten.