Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Davey Boy Smith Jr. | |
---|---|
![]() Smith in 2011 | |
Birth name | Harry Francis Smith[1] |
Born | [2] Calgary, Alberta, Canada | August 2, 1985
Parent(s) | Davey Boy Smith (father) Diana Hart (mother) |
Relatives | Harry Smith (great-grandfather) Stu Hart (grandfather) Natalya Neidhart (cousin) |
Family | Hart (maternal) Billington (paternal) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Black Assassin[3] Brakuss[4] British Bulldog Jr. Bulldog Hart[5] Davey Boy Smith Jr.[6] David Hart Smith[7][8] DH Smith Harry Smith |
Billed height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)[9] |
Billed weight | 260 lb (118 kg)[9] |
Billed from | Calgary, Alberta, Canada[8] |
Trained by | Bruce Hart[10] Davey Boy Smith[10] Tokyo Joe[11] Johnny Smith[12] Billy Robinson[13][14] Josh Barnett[12] |
Debut | 2000[1] |
Harry Francis Smith[1][15] (born August 2, 1985)[2] is a Canadian professional wrestler and catch wrestler, currently competing under the ring name Davey Boy Smith Jr. He currently performs for Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he is a two-time Opera Cup winner and former MLW World Tag Team Champion. He is known for his time in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he was a three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was a former three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion as part of the Killer Elite Squad with Lance Archer, as well as being a two-time GHC Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Noah (also alongside Archer). He is also known for his tenure in WWE from 2006 until 2011[16] under the ring name David Hart Smith, where he won the Unified Tag Team Championship along with Tyson Kidd as part of The Hart Dynasty.[7][8] He also previously performed in WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) under the ring name DH Smith.[17] Smith has also appeared for World of Sport Wrestling (WOS Wrestling) under the ring name British Bulldog Jr.
He is the son of the late wrestler "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, and Diana Hart, the youngest daughter of promoters Stu Hart and Helen Hart.
Early life
[edit]Harry Francis Smith was born on August 2, 1985, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is of predominantly British descent through his father, professional wrestler David Smith who was from Greater Manchester, England, and his mother Diana Hart who belongs to a large family of Ulster Scot heritage. Smith also has Greek ancestry through a maternal great-grandmother,[18] Irish ancestry through his maternal great-grandfather, long-distance runner Harry James Smith,[19] and Italian ancestry through his paternal grandmother.[20]
He has a younger sister named Georgia who is a voice over artist and wrestling personality.[21][22]
Smith's mother Diana is a Hart family member, being the youngest daughter of wrestler Stu Hart and promoter Helen Hart, thus he is the nephew of her eleven siblings, all of whom have been involved in wrestling in one way or another. His maternal cousins Natalya Neidhart, Matthew, Teddy, Matt, Bruce Jr. and Torrin Hart, as well as step-cousin Mike also wrestle or used to wrestle, while Lindsay is an on-air personality. Smith is close with Natalya as the two lived together as children while their fathers were wrestling as a team.[23] He is also very good friends with her husband T.J. Wilson whom he shared an apartment with at one point.[22][24] His father's family also have a history in wrestling, his father and his cousin Thomas "The Dynamite Kid" Billington wrestled as a tag-team for many years and Billingtons daughter Bronwyne is a wrestling valet.[25] He is also second cousin to Dynamite's two nephews Thomas Billington II and Mark Billington II who are wrestlers as well.[26]
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Early years (1994–2006)
[edit]Smith began wrestling at the age of eight,[1] he was first trained by his father Davey Boy Smith and uncle Bruce Hart.[10] Smith started training with Tokyo Joe during high school, crediting the training for preparing him to wrestle in Japan.[27] He made an early appearance with the then World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) on October 5, 1996, at the age of 11 when he teamed with his cousin Ted Annis against TJ Wilson and Andrew Picarnia at a WWF house show in Calgary.[1] He also appeared at the conclusion of In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede with the rest of the Hart family.[28] He made his professional debut at the age of fifteen at the Rockyford Rodeo, and went on to become a mainstay of the Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling promotion. In May 2002, Smith teamed with his father on two occasions, shortly before his father died.[1] Smith was offered a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment in the summer of 2004, but opted to attend college and wrestle in Japan before signing.[1][29]
In 2004, Smith began teaming with TJ Wilson as "The Stampede Bulldogs",[1] a reference to "The British Bulldogs", the tag team composed of his father and his father's first cousin the Dynamite Kid.[10] In the same year, Smith formed a stable known as The Hart Foundation Version 2.0 with Wilson, Jack Evans, and Teddy Hart. The Hart Foundation Version 2.0 initially performed in Stampede Wrestling before expanding to the United States, where they competed in Major League Wrestling.
Smith traveled to England in January 2006, appearing with One Pro Wrestling at No Turning Back on January 6, 2006.[30] Smith was billed as the mystery opponent of NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett, ostensibly hand-picked by his uncle, Bret Hart.[1][30]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2005)
[edit]In January 2005, Smith went on a five-week tour of Japan, wrestling with New Japan Pro-Wrestling as "Black Assassin" and suffered a broken hand in the process.[3][1] Later that year, Smith left Stampede Wrestling and wrestled several dark matches for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE),[1] before embarking upon a second tour of Japan. He returned to Stampede Wrestling in October 2005, and on November 25, 2005, was defeated by T.J. Wilson in the finals of a tournament for the vacant North American Heavyweight Championship.[1]
World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE
[edit]Developmental territories (2006–2007)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/Harry_smith_and_belt.jpg/200px-Harry_smith_and_belt.jpg)
On April 1, 2006, Smith and several of his relatives attended the induction of Bret Hart into the WWE Hall of Fame.[29] While there, Smith met with WWE executives, John Laurinaitis and Carl De Marco, and signed a developmental contract with on April 4, 2006.[1][29][31] He wrestled dark matches for the company before his debut, defeating wrestlers like Rob Conway and Mike Knox, and losing to Randy Orton.[32][33]
Harry debuted in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), at the February 14, 2007 television tapings, in a tag team match with Kofi Nahaje Kingston, in which they defeated The Belgium Brawler and Nicholas Sinn.[34] At the following taping, the duo of Harry and Kofi became collectively known as the Commonwealth Connection and faced La Résistance in a losing effort.[35] Smith was then sent to Deep South Wrestling (DSW), where he reformed the "Stampede Bulldogs" with T.J. Wilson.[10][36]
After WWE ended its relationship with DSW, Smith moved to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).[10] On June 26, Smith won a 21-man battle royal to become the first ever FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion.[10][37][38]
Smith then joined up with his cousins Teddy Hart and Nattie Neidhart to form the Next Generation Hart Foundation.[39] They debuted in a six-person mixed tag team match, losing to Mike Kruel, Vladimir Kozlov and Milena Roucka.[39] They were later victorious in a non-title match against the OVW Southern Tag Team Champions, the James Boys.[40] Smith then returned to FCW to form another version of the New Hart Foundation, along with Hart, Wilson and Ted DiBiase Jr.[41] He appeared in a winning effort against Carlito in a dark match during a taping of Raw in the United Kingdom.[42]
On October 16, Smith lost the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship to Afa Jr.[38][43] He was unable to make the referee's ten count and was counted out, due to being in the United Kingdom with WWE.[43]
Early appearances (2006–2008)
[edit]In mid-2006, Smith appeared on Raw, despite not being part of the main roster, in a segment where he and others in the locker room chased away ECW invaders. He then was not seen again on the main roster in over a year.[44]
He made his television debut as "DH Smith" on the October 22, 2007 episode of Raw, defeating Carlito using his father's trademark running powerslam.[45][46] He dedicated the match to his father.[45] On October 29, Smith and Jeff Hardy defeated Carlito and Mr. Kennedy.[47]
On November 2, 2007, it was reported that Smith had been suspended for 30 days due to violations of "WWE's Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy".[48] Smith returned to the active roster on December 17 by defeating Charlie Haas on Heat.[32][49] After his return, Smith would wrestle primarily on Heat.[50][51][52]
As part of the WWE Supplemental Draft on June 25, 2008, Smith was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[53] Smith, however, returned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) on August 26, without making his SmackDown debut.[54] He made the decision to return to FCW on a full-time basis so he could mature, and put more effort into developing his in-ring work and his personality.[55] On October 30, Smith won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with TJ Wilson, defeating Joe Hennig and Sebastian Slater,[10] but they lost it to Tyler Reks and Johnny Curtis on December 11, 2008, at the FCW television taping.[56]
The Hart Dynasty (2009–2011)
[edit]On April 15, 2009, Smith was drafted to the ECW brand as part of the 2009 Supplemental Draft, without making any appearances on SmackDown.[57] Smith made his ECW debut on May 12, as a villain, attacking Finlay during Finlay's match with Tyson Kidd (TJ Wilson), using the name David Hart Smith.[7] Smith, Kidd and Natalya formed a new version of The Hart Foundation, named The Hart Trilogy at first, although on the May 27 episode of ECW, the name was tweaked to The Hart Dynasty.[58][59] Smith was victorious in his first match for ECW, defeating Finlay on the May 19 episode, with help from Kidd and Natalya.[58]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/The_Hart_Dynasty_tag_champions.jpg/170px-The_Hart_Dynasty_tag_champions.jpg)
On June 29, The Hart Dynasty were traded to the SmackDown brand, and entered a feud with Cryme Tyme.[60] At the WWE Bragging Rights pay-per-view in October, Smith and Kidd competed in a seven-on-seven tag match with Chris Jericho, Kane, Finlay, Matt Hardy and R-Truth as Team SmackDown to defeat Team Raw.[61] In December 2009, they challenged D-Generation X for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful.
The Hart Dynasty appeared at WrestleMania XXVI, first competing in a battle royal which was won by Yoshi Tatsu then helping Bret Hart during his match against Vince McMahon, and the following night on Raw they defeated the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions ShoMiz (Big Show and The Miz) in a non-title match at Hart's behest, effectively turning face in the process.[62][63] At the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Smith and Kidd earned a Unified Tag Team Championship match by defeating ShoMiz in a tag team gauntlet match (which also included the team of John Morrison and R-Truth and the team of Montel Vontavious Porter and Mark Henry).[64] During the 2010 WWE Draft on the April 26 episode of Raw, The Hart Dynasty, accompanied by Natalya and Hart, defeated ShoMiz to win the Unified Tag Team Championship, when Kidd made The Miz submit to the Sharpshooter.[65][66][67]
The following day, all three members of The Hart Dynasty were moved to the Raw brand as part of the Supplemental Draft.[68] On the May 10 episode of Raw, he was defeated by Chris Jericho, granting Jericho and The Miz a shot for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship at Over the Limit, but The Hart Dynasty were able to retain.[69][70] The following night, on May 24, they were attacked by The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and Tamina, provoking a feud.[71][72] At Fatal 4-Way, The Hart Dynasty defeated The Usos and Tamina in a six-person mixed tag team match when Natalya pinned Tamina, and Smith and Kidd defeated The Usos at Money in the Bank to retain the championships when Smith made Jimmy Uso submit to the Sharpshooter.[73][74] At Night of Champions, The Hart Dynasty lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in a Tag Team Turmoil match which also involved The Usos, Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella, and the team of Evan Bourne and Mark Henry.[75]
After a failed attempt to regain the championship, in which Kidd was pushed off balance during their double-team Hart Attack move, Kidd and Smith began to have a falling out with one another. This culminated on the November 15 episode of Raw, when Kidd refused to tag in and attacked Smith during a match for the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Nexus (Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater).[76] ending their partnership. On the December 2 episode of WWE Superstars, Smith beat Kidd in a singles match. Afterward, Smith offered to shake Kidd's hand, but Kidd slapped him across the face.[77] On the next episode of Raw, Kidd defeated Smith in a rematch.[78]
When I was in WWE I lost the passion and when I left WWE, I thought that my career was done.
—Harry Smith in 2013[79]
After losing to Kidd, Smith would be restricted to appearing on Superstars, mostly participating in tag team matches with Yoshi Tatsu or Darren Young.[80] Smith's last match was on the April 28 edition of Superstars, where he lost to Zack Ryder.[81] After months of inactivity, Smith was released from his contract with WWE on August 5, 2011.[82] His release (as well as the releases of Chris Masters and Vladimir Kozlov) was referenced in a worked shoot moment on the August 8 episode of Raw by WWE Champion CM Punk.
Independent circuit (2011–2020)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Harry_Smith_sharpshooter.jpg/220px-Harry_Smith_sharpshooter.jpg)
On August 20, 2011, Smith, working under his real name, made his return to the independent circuit defeating Dan Maff at Pro Wrestling Syndicate.[83] On August 27, 2011, Smith, working under his real name, made his debut for Japanese Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), losing to Hideki Suzuki. On September 3, he teamed with Bobby Lashley in a losing effort against Kendo Kashin and Kazuyuki Fujita. On November 6, Smith wrestled in the main event of a Stampede Wrestling show in Barrie, Ontario,[84] defeating Fit Finlay.[85]
In December 2011, Smith took part in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's India project, Ring Ka King under the ring name Bulldog Hart.[5] During the first week of tapings, Hart and Chavo Guerrero Jr. were crowned the promotion's inaugural Tag Team Champions.[86] On January 19, in their first defence of the titles they lost to two members of RDX, Scott Steiner and Abyss.[87] On January 20, Smith teamed up with Chavo, Jwala, Mahabali Veera and Matt Morgan to take on Abyss, Deadly Danda, Scott Steiner, Sir Brutus Magnus and Sonjay Dutt in World Cup Of Ring Ka King steel cage match and won.[87] On January 29, 2012, Smith made an appearance for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), teaming with Davey Richards in a tag team match, where they were defeated by The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson).[88]
On January 13, 2012, Smith defeated The Almighty Sheik and Kevin Steen to become the first Heavyweight Champion of Resistance Pro Wrestling promotion.[4][89] Over the next few months, Smith would take on Rhino in various matches culminating on May 11, in a steel cage match with special referee Raven which once again Smith would win.[90] However, the title was stripped on October 14, 2012.[91]
Return to NJPW
[edit]IWGP and NWA World Tag Team Champions (2012–2014)
[edit]On August 13, 2012, New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Smith would be returning to the promotion the following month as a member of Minoru Suzuki's Suzuki-gun stable, forming a regular tag team with stablemate Lance Archer.[92][93] Smith said that New Japan wanted a huge monster as Archer's partner. Also, he received a good offer from All Japan Pro Wrestling, but he chose NJPW due to the previous relationship.[79] Smith wrestled his return match on September 7, when he, Lance Archer, Minoru Suzuki and Taka Michinoku were defeated in an eight-man tag team match by Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Togi Makabe and Yuji Nagata, following a disqualification.[94] On September 9, Smith submitted IWGP Tag Team Champion Hiroyoshi Tenzan in another eight-man tag team match, after which he and Archer, dubbing themselves K.E.S. (Killer Elite Squad), made a challenge for his and Satoshi Kojima's title.[95] On September 24, New Japan renamed Smith "Davey Boy Smith Jr.".[6][96] On October 8 at King of Pro-Wrestling, K.E.S. defeated Kojima and Tenzan to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[97][98] K.E.S. made their first successful title defense on November 11 at Power Struggle, defeating Tenzan and Kojima in a rematch.[99][100] From November 20 to December 1, K.E.S. took part in the round-robin portion of the 2012 World Tag League, finishing with a record of four wins and two losses, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament in the second place in their group.[101][102] On December 2, K.E.S. defeated Always Hypers (Togi Makabe and Wataru Inoue) to advance to the finals of the tournament.[103] Later that same day, K.E.S. was defeated in the finals of the 2012 World Tag League by Sword & Guns (Hirooki Goto and Karl Anderson).[103] On January 4, 2013, at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, K.E.S. defeated Sword & Guns in a rematch to retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[104][105] On February 10 at The New Beginning, Smith and Archer defeated Tenzan and Kojima for their third successful defense of the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[106] On March 11, Smith entered the 2013 New Japan Cup, defeating IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in his first round match.[107] Smith's main event win over the former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion was referred to as the biggest of his career.[108] Six days later, Smith advanced to the semifinals of the tournament with a win over Yujiro Takahashi.[109] On March 23, Smith was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Hirooki Goto.[110] On April 5, Smith and Archer made their fourth successful defense of the IWGP Tag Team Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura and Tomohiro Ishii.[111] Two days later at Invasion Attack, Smith unsuccessfully challenged Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.[112][113] On April 20, Smith and Archer defeated Ryan Genesis and Scot Summers in Houston, Texas to not only retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship, but to also win the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[114] On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, K.E.S. lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship back to Tencozy in a four-way match, which also included Takashi Iizuka and Toru Yano, and Manabu Nakanishi and Strong Man, though neither Smith nor Archer was involved in the finish.[115][116] K.E.S. received a rematch for the title on June 22 at Dominion 6.22 in a three-way match, which also included Iizuka and Yano, but were unable to regain the title, when Kojima pinned Archer for the win.[117][118] On August 1, Smith entered the 2013 G1 Climax.[119] The tournament concluded on August 11 with a match, where Smith was defeated by his tag team partner Lance Archer, costing him a spot in the finals and ending his tournament with a record of five wins and four losses.[120][121]
On November 9 at Power Struggle, K.E.S. faced Tencozy and The IronGodz (Jax Dane and Rob Conway) in a two-fall three-way match. In the first fall, they lost the NWA World Tag Team Championship to Dane and Conway, but came back in the second to defeat Tencozy for the IWGP Tag Team Championship.[122][123] From November 24 to December 8, K.E.S. took part in the 2013 World Tag League.[124] After winning their round-robin block with a record of five wins and one loss,[125] they were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by their old rivals, Tencozy.[126] On January 4, 2014, at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome, K.E.S. lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to the winners of the tournament, Bullet Club (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson).[127][128] K.E.S. received a rematch for the title on February 9 at The New Beginning in Hiroshima, but were again defeated by Bullet Club.[129][130] On May 25 at Back to the Yokohama Arena, K.E.S. failed to regain the NWA World Tag Team Championship from Tencozy in a three-way match, which also included Rob Conway and Wes Brisco.[131] On June 21 at Dominion 6.21, K.E.S. received another shot at the NWA World Tag Team Championship, this time in a regular tag team match, but were again defeated by Tencozy.[132] From July 23 to August 8, Smith took part in the 2014 G1 Climax, where he finished eighth out of the eleven wrestlers in his block with a record of five wins and five losses, scoring a big win over Hiroshi Tanahashi on the final day.[133][134] On October 13 at King of Pro-Wrestling, K.E.S. defeated Tencozy to regain the NWA World Tag Team Championship.[135][136] From November 22 to December 5, K.E.S. took part in the 2014 World Tag League.[137] The team finished their block with a record of four wins and three losses, narrowly missing the finals of the tournament.[138]
Pro Wrestling Noah invasion (2015–2016)
[edit]On January 10, 2015, K.E.S., along with the rest of Suzuki-gun, took part in a major storyline, where the stable invaded a Pro Wrestling Noah show. During the attack, K.E.S. beat down GHC Tag Team Champions TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste).[139][140] This led to a match on February 11, where K.E.S. defeated TMDK to become the new GHC Tag Team Champions.[141] In May, K.E.S. made it to the finals of the 2015 Global Tag League, where they were defeated by Masato Tanaka and Takashi Sugiura.[142] After ten successful title defenses, K.E.S. lost the GHC Tag Team Championship to Naomichi Marufuji and Toru Yano on May 28, 2016.[143] K.E.S. regained the title from Marufuji and Yano on November 23.[144] They lost the title to Go Shiozaki and Maybach Taniguchi on December 3.[145] Two days later, it was announced that Suzuki-gun was gone from Noah, concluding the invasion storyline.[146]
Return from Noah and departure (2017–2019)
[edit]The entire Suzuki-gun returned to NJPW on January 5, 2017, attacking the Chaos stable with K.E.S. targeting IWGP Tag Team Champions Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano.[147][148] On February 5 at The New Beginning in Sapporo, K.E.S. unsuccessfully challenged Ishii and Yano for the IWGP Tag Team Championship in a three-way match, also involving Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma.[149] K.E.S. were primed for a run as NJPW's top foreign tag team, but the plan was changed when Archer was forced to undergo surgery on a herniated disc in his back.[150] Following Archer's return to NJPW in August,[151] he and Smith defeated War Machine and Guerrillas of Destiny in a three-way tornado tag team match on September 24 at Destruction in Kobe to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship for the third time.[152] At the end of the year, K.E.S. took part in the 2017 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of five wins and two losses, failing to advance to the finals due to losing to block winners Guerrillas of Destiny in their head-to-head match.[153] On January 4, 2018, at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in Tokyo Dome, K.E.S. lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship to Los Ingobernables de Japón (Evil and Sanada).[154]
Smith would work in NJPW during the following year, usually in multi-man matches. He lost against Toru Yano in the first round of the 2018 New Japan Cup[155] and faced the IWGP Tag Team Champions Los Ingobernables de Japón at Wrestling Honokuni.[156] Smith and Archer participated in the 2018 World Tag League, but they failed to win the tournament. He would lose again against Toru Yano in the first round of the 2019's New Japan Cup.[157] On June 15, 2019, it was reported that Smith would no longer be wrestling for NJPW.[158]
Major League Wrestling (2018–2020)
[edit]In 2018 Smith begun wrestling for Major League Wrestling as a member of New Era Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart and Brian Pillman Jr. Their first feud was against the team of Rich Swann and A. C. H., whom they defeated on an episode of Fusion resulting in a concussion for Swann. On the November 2, edition of Fusion the Hart Foundation beat ACH, Swann and Marko Stunt in a six-man tag team match.[159] From there they began feuding with the MLW World Tag Team Champions Lucha Brothers (Pentagon Jr. and Fenix). On January 2, 2019, it was revealed Smith signed a multi-year deal with Major League Wrestling. In the company's statement, they said he would continue to compete in Japan.[160][161] At SuperFight on February 2, Smith and Hart defeated Lucha Brothers for the MLW World Tag Team Championship. On July 6, Hart and Pillman Jr. lost the titles to The Dynasty (MJF and Richard Holliday) in a ladder match, which aired on the July 13 episode of Fusion.
On the December 2, 2020 episode of Fusion, Smith lost to Low Ki in the opening round of the Opera Cup. Following his loss, MLW owner Court Bauer announced in a press conference that Smith would be leaving MLW.[162]
All Japan Pro Wrestling (2020)
[edit]Smith was expected to make his AJPW debut in the 2020 Champion Carnival[163] but was unable to travel to Japan for the show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[164]
Return to WWE (2020–2021)
[edit]On February 12, 2020, Smith would appear live via webcam on an episode of WWE's online talk show, The Bump, appearing alongside former tag team partner Tyson Kidd. On March 12, during the After the Bell podcast hosted by Corey Graves, it was announced that Smith's father, The British Bulldog, would be going into the 2020 Hall of Fame class, but the event was postponed to the following year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[165] On April 6, 2021, Smith, along with his family, represented his father at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony by accepting the award on his behalf.[166] After wrestling in a dark match before SmackDown on July 16, 2021, it was announced that Smith had signed a contract with WWE.[167] However, he was released on November 4 without appearing on television.[168][169][170]
Smith has since confirmed scrapped plans for his WWE return, he was due to re-debut for the company as "The Stampede Stud" as part of the SmackDown brand, however, after missing several weeks of WWE TV with COVID-19 he was released before anything could come to fruition.[171]
National Wrestling Alliance (2022)
[edit]On March 19, 2022, at Crockett Cup, Smith made his NWA debut as Doug Williams' tag partner defeating Alex Taylor and Rush Freeman in the first round of the Crockett Cup. On March 22, Smith and Williams were defeated by The Briscoe Brothers in the finals of the Crockett Cup. On June 11, Smith & Doug Williams, now called the Commonwealth Connection defeated La Rebelión to win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. On August 27, 2022, Smith and Williams vacated the titles when Smith suffered an illness that prevented him from defending the titles.
Return to MLW (2022–present)
[edit]Davey Boy Smith Jr. returned to Major League Wrestling for the first time in two years at the Fightland event, teaming with The Billington Bulldogs (Thomas and Mark Billington) defeating The Bomaye Fight Club (Alex Kane, Myron Reed and Mr. Thomas).[172] Smith defeated Calvin Tankman in the semifinals[173] and Tracy Williams in the finals on the 2023 Opera Cup.[174]
On February 29, 2024 at Intimidation Games, Smith and Tom Lawlor defeated The Second Gear Crew (Matthew Justice and 1 Called Manders) to win the MLW World Tag Team Championship.[175] However, they vacated the titles two months later.[176]
Submission wrestling career
[edit]Smith became interested in mixed martial arts and submission wrestling in 2003 and sought out Johnny Smith, a retired wrestler and Calgary police officer, to teach him legitimate techniques.[12] He met catch wrestling legend Billy Robinson, who had also taught his trainer Tokyo Joe, during Smith's first tour with NJPW in 2005.[177][13] He took the opportunity to train under the veteran Robinson in Tokyo despite having an injured hand at the time. Robinson would continue to coach and mentor Smith until his passing in 2014.[13] Also in 2005, Smith met catch wrestler, UFC and Pancrase champion Josh Barnett at an independent show in Seattle, and began training with Barnett when he returned months later.[12] Smith and Barnett later demonstrated techniques with Robinson in a DVD instructional, and Smith became an assistant catch wrestling coach under Robinson in 2011.[178] He has trained with Pancrase co-founder Minoru Suzuki as well.[14] He originally intended to pursue a career in MMA after being released from WWE in 2011 and trained at Dave Batista's Gracie Fighter Tampa school.[12]
Smith entered his first submission grappling competition in December 2012, winning the super heavyweight division at a NAGA tournament.[179] In August 2016, he won the expert level super heavyweight division at NAGA in Las Vegas, coached by Barnett and Erik Paulson.[180][181] In July 2018, Smith won the heavyweight division at the Billy Robinson Classic catch wrestling tournament, again coached by Barnett.[182][183]
Smith also trained in MMA with Jake Hager in 2019.[184]
Personal life
[edit]Smith lists his father, his uncles Bret Hart and Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels and Chris Benoit as his influences.[21] He also cites Ted DiBiase as a big influence.[24] Smith appeared on an episode of Hogan Knows Best, taking Brooke Hogan on a kayfabe date.[185]
Smith was involved in a minor controversy over steroids, when, discussing how his father's drug abuse contributed to his death, Smith commented "I hope to be as big as him someday", leading to concerns over Smith using steroids.[24] Smith claimed that the remarks were taken out of context and that he had learned from his father's mistakes.[24]
On October 16, 2015, Smith announced he acquired the trademark to the "British Bulldog" moniker famously used by his father, and subsequently began wrestling as "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith Jr.[186]
On October 23, 2017, Smith saved the life of a suicidal woman in Calgary by stopping her from jumping off a bridge. He credited his years of grappling experience with being able to pull her away from the edge and pin her down so she was not a danger to herself and others until emergency services arrived.[187][188]
On April 7, 2018, at a WrestleCon event in New Orleans, Louisiana, Smith threw a cup of coffee at Jake "The Snake" Roberts' face during a verbal argument before fleeing the scene. According to Smith, Roberts refused to apologize for comments he made about his father. Smith was wanted by the New Orleans Police Department for battery, however, Roberts later dropped the charges after Smith apologized and they spoke in person.[189]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Killer_Elite_Squad_IWGP_Tag_Team_Champions.jpg/200px-Killer_Elite_Squad_IWGP_Tag_Team_Champions.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/DH_Smith.jpg/200px-DH_Smith.jpg)
Professional wrestling
[edit]- All Star Wrestling
- ASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- All-Star Wrestling (British Columbia)
- ASW Trans-Canada Championship (1 time)
- AWA Pinnacle Wrestling
- Big Time Wrestling (Newark, CA)
- BTW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[190]
- Canadian Wrestling's Elite
- Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Florida Championship Wrestling
- Hart Legacy Wrestling
- Stu Hart Heritage Championship (1 time)[192]
- Stu Hart Memorial Cup (2016)
- Great North Wrestling
- GNW World Television Championship (1 time)[193]
- Major League Wrestling
- MLW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Brian Pillman Jr. and Teddy Hart (1) and Tom Lawlor (1)[194]
- GTC Carnival (2004) – with TJ Wilson[195]
- Opera Cup (2019, 2023)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Lance Archer (2) and Doug Williams (1)[114][135]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- New Breed Wrestling Association
- NBWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[196]
- Next Generation Wrestling
- NGW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[32]
- Prairie Wrestling Alliance
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Pro Wrestling Noah
- Real Canadian Wrestling
- RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[198]
- Resistance Pro Wrestling
- Ring Ka King
- RKK Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chavo Guerrero Jr.[86]
- RKK Tag Team Championship Tournament (2011) – with Chavo Guerrero Jr.
- Stampede Wrestling
- Stampede International Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Apocalypse (1) and Kirk Melnick (1)[1][199]
- Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[1][200][201]
- World of Sport Wrestling
- WOS Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Grado[202]
- World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
- World Tag Team Championship (1 time, final) – with Tyson Kidd[65]
- WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tyson Kidd[66]
- Bragging Rights Trophy (2009) – with Team SmackDown (Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy, Finlay, R-Truth, and Tyson Kidd)[203]
Submission grappling
[edit]- North American Grappling Association
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Milner, John M. "Harry Smith". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ a b "THE "BRITISH BULLDOG" DAVEY BOY SMITH JR". Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ a b Clevett, Jason (January 16, 2005). "Stampede Bulldogs going international". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c Martin, Adam (January 14, 2012). "Harry Smith wins Resistance Pro title, MMA news". WrestleView. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Kapur, Bob (February 6, 2012). "Matt Morgan wins Ring ka King Championship". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Caldwell, James (September 24, 2012). "NJPW - Harry Smith name change, U.S. stars in title matches, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c Bishop, Matt (May 13, 2009). "ECW: The new Hart Foundation?". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c "David Hart Smith Bio". WWE. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. DK. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Varsallone, Jim (November 26, 2008). "Wrestling tradition continues with confident Smith". The Miami Herald. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (November 5, 2017). "'Tokyo' Joe Daigo passes away at 75 years old". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Johnson, Stephen Dean (August 9, 2012). "Harry Smith getting more and more into MMA". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c Smith, Harry (April 17, 2014). "Guest column: Harry Smith remembers Billy Robinson". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b Hammond, Mick (December 28, 2014). "Pro Wrestler Davey Boy Smith Jr. (aka Harry Smith) Talks MMA and Catch Wrestling Crossover". MMA Weekly. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ The Official Fan Page of Diana Hart Smith: "My son Harry Francis Smith in Belgium, 2014" Cf. https://www.facebook.com/322859284411560/photos/a.797611173603033.1073741827.322859284411560/797611233603027/?type=1&theater
- ^ "David Hart Smith released". WWE. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ^ Jerry Lawler revealed this on the October 29, 2007 episode of Raw during Smith's match.
- ^ Hart, Bret (2007). Hitman: My real life in the cartoon world of wrestling. Ebury Press. p. 8 pp. ISBN 9780091932862.
- ^ Hart, Diana; McLellan, Kirstie (2001). Under the Mat: Inside Wrestling's Greatest Family. Fenn. p. 16 pp. ISBN 1-55168-256-7.
- ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ^ a b Madigan, TJ (April 30, 2003). "Carrying on the family business". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Clevett, Jason (April 29, 2003). "T.J. Wilson boosted by Harts, Japan". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Johnson, Matt (August 6, 2009). "The Hart Dynasty looks to re-energize Canadian fans". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d Clevett, Jason (September 15, 2003). "Harry Smith fulfilling family legacy". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Dynamite Doll « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Nephews of WWE legend Tom Billington following in The Dynamite Kid's footsteps". www.wigantoday.net. February 8, 2019.
- ^ Oleksyn, Michael (November 1, 2022). "CWE returns to Prince Albert with Davey Boy Smith Jr". Prince Albert Daily Herald. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Stu Hart celebrates in the ring with the whole Hart family at In Your House Calgary Stampede: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRkjK7hWGTk&feature=relmfu
- ^ a b c Clevett, Jason (May 11, 2006). "Time is right for Harry Smith". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b Hamilton, Ian (January 10, 2006). "Harry Smith Bret's mystery man in England". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Madigan, TJ (April 8, 2006). "Harry Smith inks deal with WWE". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d e "David Hart Smith". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 31, 2011.
- ^ "WWE Raw Results – Internet Heat Tapings – June 5, 2006". Online World of Wrestling. June 5, 2006. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) – February 14, 2007 – OVW TV Tapings". Online World of Wrestling. February 14, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) – February 21, 2007 – OVW TV Tapings". Online World Of Wrestling. February 17, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Deep South Wrestling (2007) – April 5, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. April 5, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2007) – June 26, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. June 26, 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
- ^ a b c Tanabe, Hisaharu. "FCW – Florida Championship Wrestling FCW Southern Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Title History. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) – July 21, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. July 21, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) – July 28, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. July 28, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2007) – October 13, 2007". Online World Of Wrestling. October 13, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ Zeigler, Zack (October 18, 2007). "An emotional night for Bulldog's boy". WWE. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ a b Wojcik, Alan (October 16, 2007). "October 16, 2007—Florida Championship Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved December 26, 2007.
- ^ "DH Smith Bio".
- ^ a b "WWE RAW Results – October 22, 2007". Online World of Wrestling. October 22, 2007. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
- ^ "Bulldog's boy bites Carlito in Raw debut". WWE. October 22, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ^ Adkins, Greg (October 29, 2007). "Mr. Smith Goes... Off". WWE. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "World Wrestling Entertainment Suspends Two Performers". WWE. November 2, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ "WWE Raw Results – December 17, 2007 – Internet Heat Tapings". Online World of Wrestling. December 17, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
- ^ Mailman, Jimmy (January 7, 2008). "WWE Raw Results – January 7, 2008 – Internet Heat Tapings". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "WWE Raw Results – January 14, 2008 – Internet Heat Tapings". Online World of Wrestling. January 14, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ Walker, Aaron (March 17, 2008). "WWE Raw Results – March 17, 2008 – Internet Heat Tapings". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
- ^ "Official 2008 WWE Supplemental Draft Results". WWE. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
- ^ Cooper, Tony (August 26, 2008). "Florida Championship Wrestling (2008) – August 26, 2008". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
- ^ Varsallone, Jim (November 26, 2008). "Wrestling tradition continues with confident Smith". The Miami Herald. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ a b "Champions Roll Call". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 2, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results". WWE. April 15, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Bishop, Matt (May 20, 2009). "ECW: Hart Trilogy keeps Finlay guessing". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Bishop, Matt (May 27, 2009). "ECW: Sorting out ECW Championship mess". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Trump's Last Laugh". WWE. June 28, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
- ^ Bishop, Matt (October 25, 2009). "Cena, Smackdown earn Bragging Rights". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale; Tylwalk, Nick (March 29, 2010). "Undertaker ends Shawn Michaels' career in thrilling rematch to cap off Wrestlemania XXVI". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale (March 30, 2010). "RAW: HBK says farewell to the WWE Universe". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Kapur, Bob (April 25, 2010). "WWE Extreme Rules features strong Mania rematches". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "History of the World Tag Team Championship: David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd". WWE. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "History of the WWE Tag Team Championship: David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd". WWE. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ Plummer, Dale (April 26, 2010). "RAW: Feeling a draft". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "2010 WWE Supplemental Draft results". WWE. April 27, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ Plummer, Dale (May 10, 2010). "RAW: The final show at the Igloo". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Bishop, Matt (May 23, 2010). "Batista quits to end disappointing Over The Limit". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Clevett, Jason (May 25, 2010). "Family legacy important to Rikishi Fatu". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale (May 24, 2010). "RAW: New GM has Hart; Batista quits". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Kapur, Bob (June 20, 2010). "4-Way matches Fatal for championship reigns". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Mcnamara, Andy (July 19, 2010). "Kane, Miz make most of Money In The Bank". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Tylwalk, Nick (September 20, 2010). "Few gimmicks, more title changes at Night of Champions". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Waldman, Jon (November 16, 2010). "Raw: Kickin' it old school". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Johnson, Matt (December 3, 2010). "Superstars: The Hart Dynasty explodes". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Plummer, Dale (December 7, 2010). "RAW: Cena pushes Nexus, Barrett to the breaking point". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b "Uncut Harry Smith Shoot Interview - Talks WWE issues, Batista and life in Japan". Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "CageMatch DH Smith WWE Matches" (in German). CageMatch. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 28, 2011). "Caldwell's WWE Superstars report 4/28: Complete coverage of Superstars on WWE's website - Hart Dynasty dominates, two excellent TV matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 5, 2011). "WWE News: Fourth WWE cut announced - D.H. Smith of the Hart Family released Friday". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Matches « Davey Boy Smith Jr. « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ Gibson, Shawn (November 2, 2011). "Wrestling hits the ANAF Club". Simcoe.com. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
- ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 6, 2011). "Stampede Event 06.11.2011". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Caldwell, James (December 20, 2011). "TNA News: Updates on TNA India project - first champion crowned, near-riot, former WWE wrestlers involved". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
- ^ a b "Matches « Davey Boy Smith Jr. « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ Settles, Pat (January 30, 2012). "1/29 PWG results Los Angeles, Calif.: Dream six-man tag main event, Richards & Smith, Dragon Gate stars". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 14, 2012). "Corgan promotion crowns first Hvt. champion". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
- ^ "Matches « Davey Boy Smith Jr. « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Resistance Heavyweight Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ 次期シリーズにアレックス・シェリー、ドラダ、アベルノが襲来!! ハーリー・スミスも再上陸!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 15, 2012). "Former WWE star & Shelley to NJPW". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Road to Destruction". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ^ "永田裕志デビュー20周年記念興行 Blue Justice IV ~青義凱旋~". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- ^ "10月8日両国『King of Pro-Wrestring』全対戦カード決定! IWGP 5大タイトルマッチほか超豪華9試合!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
- ^ a b "NJPW 40th anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ Caldwell, James (October 8, 2012). "Japan News: TNA stars drop Tag Titles, former WWE stars win Tag Titles, Low-Ki recaptures title, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Power Struggle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ Namako, Jason (November 12, 2012). "11/11 NJPW iPPV Results: Osaka, Japan". WrestleView. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 1, 2012.
- ^ a b "NJPW 40th anniversary Tour World Tag League 2012". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 2, 2012.
- ^ "Wrestle Kingdom 7 ~Evolution~ in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Show Results - 1/4 New Japan Tokyo Dome Show: Former WWE stars in undercard matches, Tanahashi vs. Okada, did any titles change hands?". Pro Wrestling Torch. January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "The New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ "New Japan Cup 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 11, 2013.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (March 11, 2013). "Mon. update: Notes on tonight's Raw, Who was flown in, New Japan Cup and Smith scores biggest career win, Hogan lawsuit, Impact, SummerSlam tickets, Dino Bravo, End of U.S. TV's greatest villain, Nash does TV shoot, Marathon of movies from past wrsetler". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (in Japanese). Retrieved March 12, 2013.
- ^ "New Japan Cup 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ "New Japan Cup 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved March 23, 2013.
- ^ "Road to Invasion Attack". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "Invasion Attack". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, James (April 7, 2013). "Caldwell's New Japan "Invasion Attack" iPPV report 4/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of new IWGP World champion, U.S. stars in title matches, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ a b Caldwell, James (April 20, 2013). "Show Results - 4/20 NWA Houston Parade of Champions: Caldwell's in-person report on Conway vs. Masters for NWA Title, Hoyt & Archer defend IWGP Tag Titles, three title changes". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ レスリングどんたく 2013. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 3, 2013.
- ^ "Show results - 5/3 NJPW Dontaku PPV: U.S. stars lose titles or title matches, Okada's first IWGP Title defense, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. May 4, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
- ^ "Dominion 6.22". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ "Show results - 6/22 NJPW Dominion iPPV: Devitt vs. Tanahashi, NWA Title defended, Benjamin, Hoyt, Shelley, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
- ^ "ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ "ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 16, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, James (August 11, 2013). "Live results - New Japan's G1 Climax Finals 8/11: Caldwell's complete coverage of Sunday's event featuring Naito vs. Tanahashi, Shelton, Hoyt, Bulldog Jr., Devitt, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ "Power Struggle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ Caldwell, James (November 9, 2013). "NJPW news: Double title change in IWGP Tag Title vs. NWA Tag Title match, Young Bucks add Tag Title gold". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ 『ワールドタッグ』出場チーム決定!! 内藤&ソンブラ! コンウェイ&ダンも参戦! アンダーソンは"新顔"ドク・ギャローズとタッグ結成!!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 11, 2013. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2013.
- ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2013.
- ^ "World Tag League 2013". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 8, 2013.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 東京ドーム". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (January 4, 2014). "Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of New Japan's biggest show of the year - four title changes, former WWE/TNA stars featured, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "The New Beginning in Hiroshima". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ Caldwell, James (February 9, 2014). "NJPW News: Titles defended at Sunday's "New Beginning" show - IWGP IC Title, IWGP Tag Titles, NWA World Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ^ "Back to the Yokohama Arena". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved May 25, 2014.
- ^ "Dominion 6.21". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 24, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ "バディファイトPresents G1 Climax 24". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Namako, Jason (August 8, 2014). "8/8 NJPW G-1 Climax Day 11 recap (Okada/Suzuki)". Wrestleview. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ a b "King of Pro-Wrestling". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ "PPV results - 10/13 New Japan in Tokyo, Japan: Styles drops IWGP World Hvt. Title to Tanahashi, more title changes, former WWE star returns to New Japan, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ "『World Tag League 2014』出場チーム&公式戦が決定! 棚橋はヨシタツとタッグ結成! 桜庭、AJ、柴田、ROH、NWAも参戦!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "World Tag League 2014". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ "「New Year Navig. 2015」1月10日(土)後楽園ホール大会 試合後コメント". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ "丸藤V6もみのるが襲撃 鈴木軍がノアに宣戦布告". Sports Navi (in Japanese). Yahoo!. January 11, 2015. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ a b "Great Voyage 2015 in Nagoya". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ^ "グローバル・タッグリーグ戦2015". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "infoNear inc. presents Great Voyage 2016 in Osaka". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ a b グローバル・リーグ戦2016. Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
- ^ "One Night Cruise 2016 in Differ". Pro Wrestling Noah (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
- ^ 【ノア】鈴木軍撤退で方舟マットどうなる?. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
- ^ 戦国炎舞 -Kizna- Presents New Year Dash !!. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (January 5, 2017). "NJPW New Year's Dash results: The return of Suzuki-gun". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave; Currier, Joseph (February 4, 2017). "NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo live results: Okada vs. Suzuki". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (February 10, 2017). "Daily Update: Lance Archer out of action, The Rock, UFC news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Rose, Bryan (August 12, 2017). "NJPW G1 Climax 27 finals live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Kenny Omega". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ^ a b Rose, Bryan (September 23, 2017). "NJPW Destruction in Kobe live results: Kenny Omega vs. Juice Robinson". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ^ "鉄拳Presents World Tag League 2017". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ Renner, Ethan (January 3, 2018). "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 live results: Okada-Naito, Omega-Jericho". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ "NJPW New Japan Cup 2018 - Tag 4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "NJPW Wrestling Hinokuni 2018 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "NJPW New Japan Cup 2019 - Tag 4 « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Report: Davey Boy Smith Jr Finished With NJPW | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com.
- ^ "11/2 MLW Fusion Report: New Hart Foundation (Hart & Smith & Pillman) vs. ACH & Marco Stunt & Rich Swann, Tommy Dreamer vs. Brody King, Puma King vs. Rickey Martinez -". November 5, 2018.
- ^ "DAVEY BOY SMITH JR. SIGNS WITH MLW". Major League Wrestling. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE WRESTLING NEWS". pwinsider.com. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
- ^ "Media Call: Court Bauer". December 3, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Mike. "DAVEY BOY SMITH JR. HEADING TO ALL JAPAN, MLW DALLAS RETURN UPDATE & MORE MLW NEWS". PW Insider. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Barasso, Justin (November 18, 2020). "WWE Return 'Very Possible' for Davey Boy Smith Jr. But MLW Remains the Focus". SI.com. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "The British Bulldog is a WWE Hall of Famer: WWE After the Bell, March 12, 2020 - YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ City of Tampa [@CityofTampa] (March 16, 2020). "COVID 19 Update: WWE WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. See the full statement below" (Tweet). Retrieved March 16, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "The Truth Behind Davey Boy Smith Jr's WWE Firing". June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ Guzzo, Gisberto (July 16, 2021), "Davey Boy Smith Jr. And NXT Talent Work Dark Matches Ahead Of 7/16/21 WWE SmackDown", Fightful, retrieved July 16, 2021,
Ahead of their show in Houston, Texas, Davey Boy Smith Jr. made a surprise appearance, working a dark match with Austin Theory against Odyssey Jones and Xyon Quinn (Daniel Vidot).
- ^ "After returning to compete in a non-televised match tonight, @DBSmithjr talks about his excitement to be back in front of the WWE Universe for the first time in a decade!". Twitter. July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Well well well…..guess whose back?? Very excited being back apart of the @wwe once again!". Twitter. July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Davey Boy Smith Jr Was Set To Debut On SmackDown As 'The Stampede Stud'". itrwrestling.com. June 8, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Davey Boy Smith Jr. Set To Return To MLW At 10/30 Fightland Event | Fightful News". www.fightful.com.
- ^ CAREY, IAN (April 7, 2023). "MLW War Chamber spoilers: New champions crowned". Www.f4wonline.com. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ Iain Oliver (April 26, 2023). "MLW Underground results: Battle Riot V 40 superstars battle it out for a MLW title shot". Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Black, Matt (February 29, 2024). "MLW Intimidation Games Results – February 29, 2024: Satoshi Kojima Defends Against Minoru Suzuki". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ Solowrestling (April 22, 2024). "MLW deja vacante el campeonato Mundial por Parejas". solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Harry Smith Meets Billy Robinson in 2005". Bulldog Bloodlines. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Gould, KJ (March 6, 2011). "Exclusive: WWE's DH Smith to coach catch wrestling under Billy Robinson". Cageside Seats. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Daly, Wayne (December 9, 2012). "Former WWE Star Places First In First-Ever Grappling Tournament". Wrestling News Net. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Gerweck, Steve (August 20, 2016). "Former WWE superstar wins NAGA superheavyweight division in Las Vegas". gerweck.net. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Harry Smith [@DBSmithjr] (August 22, 2016). "Team CSW at NAGA" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Bane, Joel (July 16, 2018). "2018 Billy Robinson Classic, Catch Wrestling Championship RESULTS!". Snake Pit USA. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Harry Smith [@DBSmithjr] (July 14, 2018). "I place gold today in super heavyweight division with Catch Rules today for the Billy Robinson Classic. 👍🥇It was a really great day, and a really awesome challenge!! 3X5 min rounds, best 2 of 3 falls. Pins for a 3 count and all submissions legal. Even finger ripping. Thank you" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Santa Maria, Alex (July 18, 2019). "Jillian Hall Says She'll Be At RAW Reunion, Davey Boy Smith Jr. Trains MMA With Jack Swagger". wrestlezone.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ "Hogan/Orton Storyline". Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2008.
Harry Smith might get involved in the Orton/Hogan/Brooke angle at some point, as he appears in an episode of "Hogan Knows Best",
- ^ Satin, Ryan (October 16, 2015). "Davey Boy Smith Jr. — The Long, But Worth It Road ... To Owning Dad's Name". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- ^ Skiver, Kevin (October 24, 2017). "Pro wrestler posts about stopping suicidal woman from jumping off a bridge". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (November 2, 2017). "Harry Smith Discusses Saving a Stranger's Life, His Future in Wrestling". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (April 29, 2018). "Jake Roberts agrees to drop charges against Davey Boy Smith Jr". Wrestling Observer (archived). Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- ^ "BTW Results 2011". December 9, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ a b "Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame". Slam! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. April 3, 2016. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015.
- ^ HART VS HART TEDDY HART VS DAVEY BOY SMITH JR HART LEGACY WRESTLING ANDRE CORBEIL SHOW 12. December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on April 28, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "GNW World Television Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on December 17, 2021.
- ^ "MLW INTIMIDATION GAMES REPORT: FIVE TITLE MATCHES, KOJIMA VERSUS SUZUKI, MISTICO VERSUS ROMERO, AND MORE | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
- ^ "GTC Carnival". Cagematch. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ "NWA New Breed War Of The Gr8s « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ ""PWI 500": 1–100". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. July 30, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
- ^ "RCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ "Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Title". WrestlingTitles.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Title". WrestlingTitles.com. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Hoops, Brian (January 16, 2019). "Pro wrestling history (01/16): Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton win WCW Tag Team Titles". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ "WOS Wrestling Results (9/29/18): New WOS Heavyweight Champion, WOS Tag Team Titles Defended, More | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com.
- ^ Passero, Mitch (October 25, 2009). "SmackDown curses Raw". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
- ^ "West Coast (Vegas) Championship". North American Grappling Association. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 21, 2016). "Daily Update: WWE SummerSlam, Lesnar vs. Orton, Samoa Joe & Nikki Bella updates". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
Further reading
[edit]External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- David Hart Smith on WWE.com
- Davey Boy Smith Jr.'s profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database
- 1985 births
- Canadian expatriates in Japan
- Canadian male professional wrestlers
- Expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan
- Living people
- Hart Foundation members
- Hart family members
- Suzuki-gun members
- Canadian submission wrestlers
- Canadian catch wrestlers
- Canadian people of American descent
- Canadian people of Ulster-Scottish descent
- Canadian people of English descent
- Canadian people of Greek descent
- Canadian people of Italian descent
- Stampede Wrestling alumni
- Professional wrestlers from Calgary
- 21st-century male professional wrestlers
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
- GHC Tag Team Champions
- MLW World Tag Team Champions
- NWA World Tag Team Champions
- Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Champions
- Stampede Wrestling North American Heavyweight Champions
- FCW Southern Heavyweight Champions
- FCW Florida Tag Team Champions
- World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)
- World Tag Team Champions (WWE)