2021/08/16
Welcome to AustralianWrestling.org!
The website devoted to preserving the history of Australian wrestling.
We're in the process of renovating and moving some things around so some things may look a little strange but the aim is to minimise disruption.
This website was designed in 2012 with a scope of covering present and past wrestling in Australia.
The scope will change to prioritise the older stuff and make that a bit more accessible.
Thank you for your patience.
I also have another website (with my good buddy Greg) The Wrestling Roadshow which has more of a global scope. We have a podcast by the same name too and discuss all sorts of wrestling.
-CD
David Rackman / Davey Boy Smith
Name: Davey Boy Smith
Height: 5' 11" / 1.8m
Weight: 260lbs / 120kg
Born: November 27, 1962 in Goulburn, Lancashire, England
Trained by: Ted Betley, Stu Hart
Debut: 1978
Finisher: Running powerslam
Died: May 18, 2002 (heart attack)
Also known as: The British Bulldog, Young David, Young Davey, White Tiger, David Rackman
Toured Australia: Circa 1980-81
The younger cousin of Dynamite Kid, Smith debuted at 15 in England as Young David. Came to Australia and was billed as David Rackman, the younger brother of Steve Rackman in Rackman's Ingleburn based promotion. Spotted by Bruce Hart in England and then travelled to Canada to train under Stu Hart in the famed Hart Dungeon. Wrestled for Stampede against Dynamite.
Went to Japan in 1983, first working for New Japan against Dynamite - where they later started teaming as The British Bulldogs (there and in Stampede) before switching to All Japan in 1984.
Brought into WWF when Vince McMahon bought out Stampede. Won their first WWF Tag Team title at WrestleMania 2 from Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff - where they were accompanied by Ozzy Osbourne. Left the WWF in 1988. Continued teaming with Dynamite in Stampede and All Japan. Was brought back to the WWF in 1990 - this time without Dynamite - and wrestled singles billed as The British Bulldog. Biggest match of his career was at WWF Summerslam 1992 where he beat Bret Hart for the WWF Intercontinental title at Wembley Stadium in his native England. After an issue with steroids - was released in 1993.
Breifly wrestled for WCW as a babyface in the main event scene before being released in mid-1993 and going back to England. Was rehired by WWF in 1994 where he briefly teamed with Lex Luger as The Allied Powers. Turned heel and started teaming with Owen Hart and Yokozuna under Jim Cornette. Became the first ever WWF European champion in 1997. After the 'Montreal Screwjob' Smith supported Bret Hart and left for WCW where he spent most of his time alternating between the midcard and the injured list. Was released while injured in 1998.
Returned to the WWF in 1999 floating around the midcard. He main evented WWF Unforgiven 1999 in a six-man match for the WWF title. Died in 2002 from a heart attack most likely caused by years of drug abuse. Survived by his son Harry who wrestled in the WWF as David Hart Smith as well as elsewhere under his own name.
Major titles: NWA Stampede International Tag Team Championship (2 - w/ Bruce Hart) (Calgary), Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship, Stampede Wrestling International Tag Team Championship (2 - w/ Dynamite Kid), Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship (2), Stampede World Middleweight Championship, WWWA Intercontinental Championship, WWF European Championship (2), WWF Hardcore Championship (2), WWF Intercontinental Championship, WWF World Tag Team Championship (2 - w/ Dynamite Kid and w/ Owen Hart)
Young David v Fit Finlay, England 1982
Credit: Chris Dalgleish, Wikipedia, AustralianSportsEntertainment.com
Photo credit: Onlineworldofwrestling.com
