Davey Boy Junior keeps legacy alive

Davey Boy Smith Junior will be keeping the flag flying high for the British Bulldog name when an iconic wrestling show returns to our TV screens.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jul 2018, 13:44 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2018, 17:02 BST
Davey Boy Smith JnrDavey Boy Smith Jnr
Davey Boy Smith Jnr

ITV has resurrected World of Sport, the former Saturday lunchtime show which ran in opposition to BBC’s Grandstand between 1968 and 1985.

And one of those who will star in the 10-programme run is the son of Golborne-born Davey Boy Smith.

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Davey Boy Smith Junior lines up alongside Londoner Will Ospreay and Scottish star Grado, as well as British scene regulars Joe Hendry and Martin Kirby.

Former WWE superstar Wade Barrett has come on board as the show’s general manager and television tapings took place in Norwich earlier this year.

Davey Boy Senior himself appeared on World of Sport, initially billed as Young David, as a 15-year-old, towards the end of the series run.

His cousin and later British Bulldogs tag team partner Tom Billington, known as the Dyamite Kid was also a regular, before the pair were scouted by Canada’s Stampede Wrestling.

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Later after competing against each other, Davey Boy and the Dynamite Kid formed the British Bulldogs and were stars of the World Wrestling Federation’s expansion in the US.

Injury would force the retirement of the Dynamite Kid but Davey Boy would enjoy success as a singles competitor.

His crowning glory came when he defeated Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart for the Intercontinental championship at Wembley Stadium in 1992.

He passed away aged 39 in May 2002, after suffering a heart attack in British Columbia.

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Before his death, father and son had participated in a number of tag team matches.

The return of World of Sport comes amid renewed interest in the British wrestling scene, which still has a number of thriving independent promotions, including Preston City Wrestling.

Earlier this year the WWE launched a tournament to decide the number one contender for its own United Kingdom championship, held by Pete Dunne, which featured Jack Gallagher, who trained at the Snake Pit club at Aspull. The Royal Albert Hall tournament was eventually won by Zack Gibson.

Before the current run, slated for later this year, ITV brought back World of Sport as a one-off show for New Year’s Eve 2016.

Related topics:WWEITV