Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Early life and wrestling lineage

Harry Francis Smith was born on August 2, 1985, in Calgary, Alberta, into a family deeply embedded in professional wrestling history. His father was the English-born superstar Davey Boy Smith, "The British Bulldog," and his mother is Diana Hart, the youngest daughter of Stampede Wrestling founder Stu Hart and Helen Hart. This makes Smith a nephew of famed wrestlers Bret Hart and Owen Hart, and a cousin to current WWE star Natalya Neidhart, among many other relatives involved in the business. He is of predominantly British descent but also has Greek, Irish, and Italian ancestry through various family lines. Smith began training in wrestling at the age of eight under his father and his uncle Bruce Hart, laying the foundation for his future career. He later trained with Tokyo Joe during high school, which he credited for preparing him for the Japanese wrestling style. His first appearance with a major promotion came at age 11 at a WWF house show in Calgary in 1996, teaming with his cousin Ted Annis against TJ Wilson and Andrew Picarnia.

Early career and Stampede Wrestling foundation

Smith made his professional wrestling debut at the age of fifteen at the Rockyford Rodeo and became a mainstay in his grandfather's Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling promotion. In May 2002, he had the opportunity to team with his father on two occasions, shortly before his father's death later that year. In 2004, he teamed with TJ Wilson as "The Stampede Bulldogs," a direct tribute to his father's legendary tag team with The Dynamite Kid. That same year, he formed a stable known as The Hart Foundation Version 2.0 with Wilson, Jack Evans, and Teddy Hart, performing in Stampede and later expanding to the United States with Major League Wrestling. Before signing with WWE, Smith was offered a contract in the summer of 2004 but opted to attend college and wrestle in Japan first. He went on a five-week tour of Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in January 2005, wrestling under the name "Black Assassin" and suffering a broken hand during the excursion. He returned to Stampede Wrestling in October 2005 and competed in the finals of a tournament for the vacant North American Heavyweight Championship, losing to TJ Wilson on November 25, 2005. In early 2006, he traveled to England for One Pro Wrestling and was billed as the mystery opponent, hand-picked by his uncle Bret Hart, for NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett at the No Turning Back event on January 6.

WWE career: development and main roster ascent

Smith signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment on April 4, 2006, after meeting with executives at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony where his uncle Bret Hart was inducted. He began his tenure in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in February 2007, teaming with Kofi Kingston as the Commonwealth Connection. After moving to Deep South Wrestling (DSW), he reformed the Stampede Bulldogs with TJ Wilson before transitioning to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) when WWE ended its DSW relationship. In FCW, he won a 21-man battle royal on June 26, 2007, to become the inaugural FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion. He later formed another version of the New Hart Foundation with Teddy Hart, TJ Wilson, and Ted DiBiase Jr. On October 30, 2008, Smith and Wilson won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship, though they lost the titles to Tyler Reks and Johnny Curtis on December 11, 2008. He made his main roster television debut on the October 22, 2007, episode of Raw as "DH Smith," defeating Carlito with his father's running powerslam. After a 30-day suspension in November 2007 for a violation of the company's wellness policy, he returned and was drafted to the SmackDown brand in June 2008, though he opted to return to FCW full-time to further develop his skills before making a SmackDown debut.

The Hart Dynasty and championship reign

In April 2009, Smith was drafted to the ECW brand and debuted on May 12, 2009, as a villain, attacking Finlay to align with Tyson Kidd (TJ Wilson) and Natalya, forming The Hart Dynasty. The group was traded to the SmackDown brand on June 29, 2009, and entered a feud with Cryme Tyme. They competed at the Bragging Rights pay-per-view in October 2009 as part of the victorious Team SmackDown in a seven-on-seven tag match. At WrestleMania XXVI in March 2010, the group helped Bret Hart during his match against Vince McMahon and defeated the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions ShoMiz in a non-title match the following night on Raw, turning into fan favourites. At the Extreme Rules pay-per-view in April 2010, Smith and Kidd earned a title shot by winning a tag team gauntlet match. On the April 26, 2010, episode of Raw, The Hart Dynasty defeated ShoMiz to win the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship when Kidd made The Miz submit to the Sharpshooter. The following day, the entire group was moved to the Raw brand in the Supplemental Draft. They successfully defended the titles against Chris Jericho and The Miz at Over the Limit in May 2010 and against The Usos at Money in the Bank in July 2010. Their championship reign ended at Night of Champions in September 2010 when they lost the titles to Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre in a Tag Team Turmoil match. A subsequent storyline rift between Smith and Kidd led to the team's dissolution, with Smith losing a singles match to Kidd on Raw in late 2010 before being released from his contract on August 5, 2011.

Independent circuit and global promotions post-WWE

Following his WWE release, Smith returned to the independent circuit, wrestling under his real name and for various international promotions. Key early appearances included a debut for the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) in Japan in August 2011, losing to Hideki Suzuki, and teaming with Bobby Lashley in a losing effort against Kendo Kashin and Kazuyuki Fujita on September 3, 2011. In November 2011, he wrestled in the main event of a Stampede Wrestling show in Barrie, Ontario, defeating Fit Finlay. He participated in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Ring Ka King project in India in December 2011, where he performed as "Bulldog Hart" and, with Chavo Guerrero Jr., became the promotion's inaugural Tag Team Champions on the first week of tapings, though they lost the titles in their first defence to Scott Steiner and Abyss on January 19, 2012. In January 2012, he became the first Heavyweight Champion of Resistance Pro Wrestling, defeating The Almighty Sheik and Kevin Steen, and later defended the title against Rhino in a steel cage match with special referee Raven on May 11, 2012, before the title was stripped on October 14, 2012. He has continued to perform for independent promotions across Canada, including Great North Wrestling, where he defeated Maxx Testosterone in a cage match in May 2017 and former WWE wrestler Nunzio in July 2023. In February 2026, as part of CWE's 17th Anniversary Tour, he teamed with Robby Royce to defeat The Double D's (Derek and Danny Diggler) and win the CWE tag team titles in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Smith has expressed that performing on the independent circuit allows him to connect with his fan base in Western Canada and provide valuable on-the-job training for younger talent during extensive tours like the 16-day CWE circuit.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the Killer Elite Squad era

Smith returned to New Japan Pro-Wrestling in September 2012 as a member of the Suzuki-gun stable, forming the tag team Killer Elite Squad (K.E.S.) with Lance Archer after receiving a good offer from the promotion and choosing it over a concurrent offer from All Japan Pro Wrestling. On September 24, 2012, New Japan officially renamed him Davey Boy Smith Jr. K.E.S. quickly found success, defeating IWGP Tag Team Champions Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima on October 8, 2012, at King of Pro-Wrestling to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They made their first successful title defense on November 11 at Power Struggle in a rematch against Tenzan and Kojima. The team competed in the 2012 World Tag League, finishing with a record of four wins and two losses in the round-robin stage, advancing to the semifinals where they defeated Always Hypers (Togi Makabe and Wataru Inoue) before ultimately losing in the finals to Sword & Guns (Hirooki Goto and Karl Anderson) on December 2. On January 4, 2013, at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, K.E.S. defeated Sword & Guns (Goto and Anderson) in a rematch to retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They made further successful defenses against Tenzan and Kojima on February 10, 2013, and against Shinsuke Nakamura and Tomohiro Ishii on April 5, 2013. During this period, Smith also entered the 2013 New Japan Cup, scoring a major first-round victory over IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura on March 11, a win he considered the biggest of his career at the time. He advanced to the semifinals by defeating Yujiro Takahashi on March 17 before being eliminated by Hirooki Goto on March 23. On April 20, 2013, in Houston, Texas, K.E.S. defeated Ryan Genesis and Scot Summers to retain the IWGP Tag Team Championship and simultaneously win the NWA World Tag Team Championship, becoming dual champions. K.E.S. lost the IWGP titles in a four-way match on May 3, 2013, at Wrestling Dontaku, though neither Smith nor Archer was involved in the decision.

Recent achievements and current promotional status

In recent years, Davey Boy Smith Jr. has continued to achieve significant accolades across multiple promotions, maintaining a busy international schedule. He captured the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship in 2024, becoming the fourth champion of that year and marking his first major singles title in a major company, a feat he has described as his greatest career accomplishment. He remains an active competitor for Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he is a two-time Opera Cup winner and a former two-time MLW World Tag Team Champion. As of early 2026, he is also recognized as one-half of the Pro Wrestling Noah GHC Tag Team Champions and one-half of the NWA World Tag Team Champions, having returned to the latter role as noted during a Canadian Wrestling Elite tour. Smith has stated that Japanese wrestling remains his primary passion, and he continues to tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling, expressing a desire to return for at least one more year while steadily learning the Japanese language over the past two years. He is also scheduled for appearances on the independent scene, including with the Canadian Wrestling Elite tour through Western Canada in early 2026, which included a homecoming stop in Calgary on February 20, 2026, and a scheduled appearance at a Wyndham Indianapolis West event on March 27-28, 2026. On June 28, 2024, he challenged for the Innovative Hybrid Wrestling Championship against "The King" JP Simms at the Riverview Sunfest, demonstrating his ongoing activity across the wrestling landscape.

Championships and accomplishments

Davey Boy Smith Jr. has won championships across the world throughout his career. He is a former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling. He is a former three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and a two-time GHC Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Noah. He is a two-time MLW World Tag Team Champion in Major League Wrestling and a former Unified Tag Team Champion in WWE. He is also a three-time NWA World Tag Team Champion in the National Wrestling Alliance.

• AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship (1 time, 2024)
• IWGP Tag Team Championship (3 times), with Lance Archer as Killer Elite Squad
• MLW World Tag Team Championship (2 times), with Lance Archer
• NWA World Tag Team Championship (3 times), with Lance Archer
• WWE Unified Tag Team Championship (1 time), with Tyson Kidd as The Hart Dynasty
• Pro Wrestling Noah GHC Tag Team Championship (2 times), with Lance Archer
• FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time, inaugural)
• FCW Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time), with TJ Wilson
• MLW Opera Cup (2 times)
• Ring Ka King Tag Team Championship (1 time, inaugural), with Chavo Guerrero Jr.
• Resistance Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship (1 time, inaugural)
• CWE Tag Team Championship (1 time), with Robby Royce (2026)

These honours demonstrate his success over two decades. His career includes recent victories on the Canadian independent scene. For example, he defeated former WWE wrestler Nunzio for Great North Wrestling in Smith Falls, Ontario in July 2023. His historic Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship win in All Japan Pro Wrestling is a major achievement in Japanese wrestling.

In-ring style, persona, and career philosophy

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is known for a powerful, physical in-ring style influenced by catch wrestling, a legacy of his Hart family training at the infamous "Dungeon." Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing approximately 260 pounds, he utilizes a mix of power moves, technical holds, and stiff strikes characteristic of the strong style prevalent in Japanese wrestling. His signature and finishing moves often pay homage to his father, including the running powerslam, and he performs under the nickname "The British Bulldog," entering the ring to "Hail Britannia," continuing the persona associated with his father. Smith has expressed a particular affinity for tag team wrestling, noting that with the right partner, such as his long-time teammate Lance Archer, they can "make magic happen." He has stated that he has won virtually all major tag-team titles possible except for those in All Japan and AEW, and would consider a return to a major American promotion like WWE or AEW if the opportunity arose. His work in Japan is highly regarded, and he has dedicated effort to learning the Japanese language over the last two years to better connect with the audience and promotion there. This commitment to his craft, respect for tradition, and adaptability across different wrestling cultures has earned him a loyal international fan base and a career record of 861 wins and 537 losses as tracked in 2026, with an average match rating of 5.67 that year.

Questions about Davey Boy Smith Jr.

Who is Davey Boy Smith Jr.'s father?

Davey Boy Smith Jr.'s father is the legendary British professional wrestler Davey Boy Smith, best known as "The British Bulldog. His father was a major star in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and other promotions worldwide. The elder Smith, alongside his cousin The Dynamite Kid, formed the famous tag team The British Bulldogs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. carries on his father's nickname and ring persona as part of his own wrestling identity, and he even teamed with his father on two occasions in Stampede Wrestling in May 2002, shortly before his father's death.

Is Davey Boy Smith Jr. related to Bret Hart?

Yes, Davey Boy Smith Jr. is related to Bret Hart. His mother is Diana Hart, the youngest daughter of Stu and Helen Hart, making Bret Hart his maternal uncle. He is also the nephew of Owen Hart and a first cousin to current WWE star Natalya Neidhart, with whom he lived as a child. Smith is a proud member of the famed Hart wrestling family from Calgary, Alberta, and has often worked alongside his relatives throughout his career, most notably in The Hart Dynasty faction in WWE and earlier in the Hart Foundation Version 2.0 stable in Stampede Wrestling.

What championships has Davey Boy Smith Jr. won in Japan?

Davey Boy Smith Jr. has won several major championships in Japan. In All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), he captured the prestigious Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship in 2024, which he considers his greatest career achievement. In New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), he is a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion as part of the Killer Elite Squad with Lance Archer. Through NJPW's working relationship with Pro Wrestling Noah, he also became a two-time GHC Tag Team Champion, again teaming with Lance Archer. His success in Japan began with early tours in 2005 and was cemented during his lengthy run with Suzuki-gun from 2012 onward.

Did Davey Boy Smith Jr. wrestle in WWE?

Yes, Davey Boy Smith Jr. wrestled in WWE from 2006 to 2011. He performed under the ring names DH Smith and later David Hart Smith after signing a developmental contract in April 2006. He is best known in WWE for his time in The Hart Dynasty faction with Tyson Kidd and Natalya, winning the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship on April 26, 2010. Prior to his main roster run, he was the inaugural FCW Southern Heavyweight Champion and FCW Florida Tag Team Champion. After the group disbanded in late 2010, he had a brief singles run primarily on WWE Superstars before being released from his contract on August 5, 2011, a release referenced by CM Punk on an episode of Raw.

Where can I see Davey Boy Smith Jr. wrestle in Canada?

Davey Boy Smith Jr. regularly tours with independent promotions across Canada, such as Canadian Wrestling Elite (CWE). In early 2026, he was a featured performer on CWE's 17th Anniversary Tour, which included stops in Western Canada like Estevan, Saskatchewan, and his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, where he won the CWE tag team titles. He also makes appearances for other Canadian independent groups like Great North Wrestling in Smiths Falls, Ontario. Fans can follow his official social media and the websites of these promotions for upcoming tour dates and event announcements, as he frequently returns to perform for his Canadian fan base.

What is Davey Boy Smith Jr.'s greatest career accomplishment?

Davey Boy Smith Jr. is a former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion in All Japan Pro Wrestling. This major singles title win in a premier Japanese promotion represents a significant pinnacle in his career. His extensive accomplishments also include being a three time IWGP Tag Team Champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the Killer Elite Squad with Lance Archer. He is a two time GHC Tag Team Champion in Pro Wrestling Noah, a three time NWA World Tag Team Champion, a two time MLW World Tag Team Champion, and a former WWE Unified Tag Team Champion with Tyson Kidd in The Hart Dynasty. This collection of championships across multiple major international promotions shows a highly successful career spanning over two decades.

Sources and further reading

• Davey Boy Smith Jr. (Wikipedia)
• Tour a homecoming for son of pro wrestling legend Smith (sportscage.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-29.