Davey Boy Smith became one of the most recognisable British professional wrestlers of all time, carrying the Union Flag and the name “The British Bulldog” into arenas around the world.
Although Davey was born and raised in Golborne, now part of the Wigan borough, an important chapter in his journey to international stardom is also connected to Warrington.
Before the championship victories, Wembley Stadium main events and worldwide fame, Davey learned his craft under Warrington wrestling coach Ted Betley. Betley played an important role in the early careers of Davey and his cousin, Tom Billington—better known as the Dynamite Kid.
That Warrington connection formed part of the foundation on which Davey built his extraordinary career.
Davey began wrestling as a teenager and appeared on ITV’s popular World of Sport programme while still only 15. He later travelled to Canada, where he continued his training under legendary promoter Stu Hart and became part of the famous Stampede Wrestling promotion.
Together, Davey and the Dynamite Kid formed the British Bulldogs. Their combination of strength, speed and technical ability made them one of the most influential tag teams of their generation.
At WrestleMania 2 in 1986, the British Bulldogs defeated Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and Brutus Beefcake to win the WWF Tag Team Championship. Their victory placed two wrestlers with roots in the North West of England at the forefront of the rapidly expanding international wrestling industry.
Davey later became an enormously successful singles competitor. His defining moment came at SummerSlam 1992, when he challenged Bret “Hitman” Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in the main event at Wembley Stadium.
More than 80,000 spectators filled the stadium that evening. Davey entered wearing the Union Jack and defeated Hart in one of the most celebrated matches in British wrestling history. The sight of a British wrestler winning a major championship in front of his home audience inspired an entire generation of fans.
Davey also became the first WWF European Champion and held the company’s Hardcore Championship. He challenged for major world championships and competed across Britain, Canada, the United States, Japan and Europe during a career that lasted more than two decades.
He died in May 2002 at only 39 years old, but his influence remains visible throughout professional wrestling. His son, Harry Smith, continued the family’s wrestling tradition, while his daughter, Georgia Smith, has worked tirelessly to preserve and celebrate her father’s legacy.
The campaign begins
In July 2013, British author and wrestling campaigner Michael Finney founded Team Davey Boy Smith and launched a petition calling for Davey to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Michael believed that Davey’s achievements, popularity and influence made him one of the most deserving names yet to receive the honour.
The campaign grew from a fan-led effort into an international movement. More than 26,000 people signed the petition, while figures from wrestling, sport and entertainment publicly supported the cause.
After seven years of campaigning, WWE announced that Davey would be inducted as part of its Hall of Fame Class of 2020. His induction was formally celebrated during the ceremony broadcast in 2021, with Harry and Georgia representing their father.
For Michael, the induction proved that a determined public campaign could help ensure that an important British sporting figure received the recognition he deserved.
“Davey represented Britain with pride wherever he went,” Michael said. “He gave British wrestling fans someone to believe in and showed that a young man from our part of the country could reach the very top of an international industry.”
The campaign for local recognition
Following the success of the WWE Hall of Fame campaign, Michael began working closely with Georgia on a new effort to secure permanent recognition for Davey in his home borough.
For the past five years, they have campaigned for Davey to receive a posthumous star on Wigan’s Walk of Fame.
The petition has now attracted more than 8,100 signatures. It has also received support from prominent names across wrestling, sport and entertainment, including Chris Jericho, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Rebecca Adlington OBE and stars associated with WWE, British television and film.
Michael has held meetings with representatives of Wigan Council and supplied extensive supporting material, including petition comments, photographs and celebrity support videos.
One of the campaign’s main obstacles is the existing practice of awarding Wigan’s Believe Stars only to living recipients. Michael has therefore also launched the “Legends Never Die” campaign, calling for posthumous candidates to be considered.
Campaigners argue that death should not prevent the borough from recognising people whose achievements brought lasting pride and international attention to the area.
Davey was born in Golborne and became one of the most successful professional wrestlers Britain has produced. Supporters believe that a star would celebrate local history, attract wrestling fans to the borough and ensure that future generations understand his contribution to British popular culture.
Could Warrington also recognise Davey?
The campaign’s primary objective remains a Walk of Fame star in Wigan because Golborne was Davey’s birthplace and childhood home. However, his early connection to Warrington presents another opportunity to celebrate the region’s wrestling heritage.
Training under Warrington coach Ted Betley helped Davey take his earliest steps towards becoming the British Bulldog. Recognising that connection would also honour the North West wrestling tradition that produced internationally respected performers.
A plaque, commemorative display, local sporting tribute or permanent feature connected to Warrington’s wrestling history could complement the Wigan campaign rather than compete with it.
“I would be proud to explore an appropriate way for Warrington to recognise Davey’s connection to the area,” Michael said. “Wigan was his home, but Warrington forms part of his wrestling story through his early training under Ted Betley.
“This is bigger than one campaign or one town. It is about preserving the history of a British sporting icon and recognising the communities and people who helped him along the way.”
More than two decades after his death, Davey Boy Smith remains a hero to wrestling supporters across the world. His Wembley victory continues to be celebrated, his matches continue to inspire new performers, and fans still proudly remember the moment the British Bulldog stood victorious with the Union Jack held high.
The campaign now hopes that Wigan—and potentially Warrington—will provide permanent local recognition for a man whose journey began in the North West before taking him to the world stage.
Members of the public can support the campaign by signing and sharing the petition: https://www.change.org/DaveyBoySmithWalkofFame
