Ringside Review: Heart attack kills ‘British Bulldog’
Davey Boy Smith, “The British Bulldog,” was born in Leeds, England on Nov. 27, 1962. He started out in 1978 as a light heavyweight, and soon took his career to the Pacific Northwest, where he wrestled with Bret and Owen Hart.
Soon he married one of the Hart sisters, and started a life of big-time ups and downs.
Smith came to the WWF with his long-time friend, “The Dynamite Kid,” as The British Bulldogs, with Captain Lou Albano as their manager. They won the WWF tag team belts at Wrestlemania II, defeating Greg Valentine and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. That was a great high point in his life.
Then the most important event in Smith’s life took place. In July, 1989, he was injured in a car accident, and disappeared from the wrestling scene for a year to recuperate.
When Davey Boy returned to the ring in late 1990, he had put on almost 50 pounds of pure muscle. In later years he would say that he took steroids to help him heal from the car wreck.
For the rest of his all-too-short life, he would pay for that year off — spending time in and out of rehab for pain killers and alcohol addiction.
He never really recovered.
On Sunday, May 19, “The British Bulldog” died of heart failure brought on by steroids. He was 39 years old. He will be laid to rest in Manchester, England.
• Jazz joins Lita on the WWE’s list of women that are injured. Jazz tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, and will be out 4-6 months. Lita’s time table to return to the ring is now listed at 12-14 months.
• There is some concern about the Undertaker’s hip. On “Raw,” in the opening segment with Rob Van Dam, UT said he felt a lot of pain in his right hip. As we all know, he did come back for his match with RVD.
• Will Goldberg sign with the WWE? Jim Ross says it could happen, but not this week.
Who would he feud with? My guess would be Brock Lesnar. On “Raw” Monday night, every time Lesnar came out, the fans started chanting “Goldberg.”
• I know you didn’t think Hogan would retire! Hogan is under contract with the WWE for nine more months, plus Vince has a six-month option.
• Tonight in Outlaw Wrestling Federation action at Jake’s Auction Barn, Bad Company and Rock Dawg will take on Mad Rocks and a surprise partner.
In other action, Misty Heat and Double Dee will face Sexy Sally and Crystal Dream, Donnie Eaton takes on Mikey Woods, Jailbird faces Blade and Bobby Lowe squares off against Mystic Warrior.
Bell time is set for 8 p.m., and tickets are $7 at the door. Children 5 and under are admitted free of charge.
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