The bitter rivalry that birthed one of wrestling's greatest tag teams
In short: Before they were icons, Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid were enemies. Their journey from a heated feud over personal insults to becoming a world-class championship duo highlights the complex transition from individual competition to collective mastery in professional wrestling.
The partnership of The British Bulldogs was forged in the crucible of conflict. Cousins David Smith and Tom Billington first entered the ring in 1970s Britain before moving to Canada's Stampede Wrestling. Initially, they were rivals; Billington famously provoked Smith by insulting him as a "test-tube baby." This friction continued into New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where they engaged in a three-way feud for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.
After settling their personal scores, the two joined forces to form The British Bulldogs. They achieved immediate success, winning the Stampede International Tag Team Championship in March 1984. Their trajectory took them from Japan to All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and eventually to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). In the WWF, they became a cornerstone of the promotion, notably feuding with The Hart Foundation and "The Dream Team," ultimately capturing the WWF World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 2.
The team's legacy is marked by both high-octane success and physical toll. Billington suffered a severe back injury in December 1986, leading to a match in January 1987 where he was so debilitated he had to be carried to the ring. While they remained a cohesive unit for years, their paths diverged in 1989 due to a kendo stick incident and management disputes. Smith eventually rebranded as "The British Bulldog," a move that caused lasting animosity with Billington, who retired in 1991 following years of high-impact wrestling and substance abuse.
Today, the duo is remembered as one of history's top tag teams, ranked #5 in the PWI Years top 100. Their impact remains tangible in the collector world, where their rare action figures—including those featuring their mascot dog, Matilda—command hundreds of dollars.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The British Bulldogs
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