WWE: The British Bulldogs

Born in the United Kingdom where he participated in rugby and amateur style wrestling, David Smith was trained by Ted Betley in the UK and first gained notoriety in pro wrestling in Japan where he wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). He was part of a team known as Ishingun, a "rebel" group similar to the nWo in WCW. Also in this group was the Dynamite Kid, a future world tag team champion partner with Davey. 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 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.

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 wowed 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 beating bigger teams like King Kong Bundy/Big John Studd and others, and soon 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.

The British Bulldog's gimmick was pretty simple. Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid were both British, and they came to the ring accompanied by an actual bulldog. Of course, this made the British Bulldogs fan favorites right off the bat. It seemed like in the old days, any wrestler that came down to the ring with an animal was an instant fan favorite. Look no further than KoKo B. Ware for an example - the guy sucked, yet everyone loved him because he came to the ring with a parrot and he flapped his arms like a bird. However, the Bulldogs did not suck. In fact, they were a great wrestling team. At the time, Davey Boy Smith was the strongest man in the WWF and he worked well with his relative Dynamite Kid, who was a great technical wrestler. After the British Bulldogs went their separate ways, Dynamite Kid disappeared from the WWF, while Davey Boy continued with a fairly successful singles career. The Bulldogs remain one of the most loved tag teams of all time.


[Edited on 29/6/04 by TRD]

This was the BEST tag team of all time. The power had the speed, the speed had the power. This is wrestling at its best. I loved these guys. Bad point, I believe Dynomite has died. As for the Hart Foudation, same thing, Jim, hard and fast, Brett, fast and hard. It started with the British Bulldogs.

Truenorth i think you may have got it mixed up. Davey Boy died a while back. It was after Owen Hart died in the ring accident.

The Bulldog battled an addiction to prescription drugs, a messy and very public divorce with former wife Diana Hart, and a serious, almost fatal, motorcycle accident. Then he died suddenly from a heart attack in 2002.

sad to hear davey boy smith had died..i used to be able to watch the matches from calgary..they were good stuff, i believe that they were the bloodiest matches that i have ever seen

Bulldigs was great to watch. One of my favourite teams.

It was a shame the Kid got injured with his back. They might have gone on and won more tag - team belts.

didn't the british bull dog die of a drug over dose in steriods?