On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed Davey Boy Smith’s WCW departure in late 1993, his drug issues, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Davey Boy Smith’s departure: “Not to be exact, but I do remember something about missing some dates. And without the proper doctors, a slip or excuse, whatever you want to call it. Doctor’s excuse. I could see that leading to — here’s the thing. When you get a guy that’s positioned like he is and has a career that he’s had, it’s not like you can just replace him with anybody. We’ve talked about that. When you replace a guy, you said it earlier, it better be better than what you had originally. And that’s hard to do with Davey Boy.”
On how WCW used Davey Boy Smith: “Gosh, I don’t know. I would have to really go back and see how he was used because I don’t remember. I know that he had some good matches with Vader. That’s really the only thing that pops to the forefront that I can remember, that he was strong enough and jacked up enough that he could bounce Vader around. And that’s impressive on anybody’s sheet.”
On how he reacted to Smith’s departure: “Well, I mean, I go back to when he was partners with the other Bulldog when they were the British Bulldogs. When we first got to WWE, we worked with them on a couple of house shows, and those guys were a damn good team. A really good team. Looked the part: big, rugged guys and great athletes. And you just hate really to see that not continue, I guess.”
On where he thinks Smith’s career could’ve gone if he didn’t have drug issues: “Sure could [be World Champion]. You know, the potential was certainly there. The ability was there. And again, I don’t want to talk about situations that I didn’t know about and that I was not there to see firsthand. But a lot of guys in this business have floundered because of a number of reasons that drug them down. I think that just what, you know, you hear from the outside looking in, it was just a shame he could have done so much more.”
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Davey Boy Smith, also known as “The British Bulldog,” was a prominent professional wrestler who had a successful career in both WWE and WCW. However, his time in WCW was marred by drug issues and ultimately led to his departure from the company in late 1993. In a recent episode of his podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed Smith’s departure and the impact it had on the wrestling industry.
According to Anderson, Smith’s departure from WCW was likely due to missing some dates without proper medical documentation or excuses. This absence may have caused management to lose faith in him, considering his position as a top talent. Anderson emphasized that it is challenging to replace someone like Smith, as any replacement would have to be better than the original talent.
When asked about how WCW utilized Smith during his time with the company, Anderson admitted that he couldn’t recall many specific instances. However, he did mention that Smith had some impressive matches with Vader, showcasing his strength and ability to handle a larger opponent. Anderson acknowledged that bouncing someone like Vader around is no easy feat and speaks to Smith’s athleticism.
Reflecting on his partnership with Smith during their time as the British Bulldogs in WWE, Anderson expressed disappointment in seeing their potential not fully realized. He described them as a formidable team with a great look and athleticism. Anderson’s sentiment highlights the missed opportunities for Smith’s career due to his drug issues.
Anderson believes that Smith had the potential to become a World Champion if he hadn’t struggled with drug problems. He acknowledged Smith’s talent and ability, stating that it was a shame to see him not reach greater heights in the wrestling industry. Anderson also mentioned that many wrestlers have faced similar challenges and have seen their careers suffer as a result.
In conclusion, Davey Boy Smith’s departure from WCW in 1993 was influenced by his drug issues and missed dates. Despite his talent and potential, his career was hindered by these challenges. Arn Anderson’s comments shed light on the impact of Smith’s departure and the missed opportunities for his career. Smith’s story serves as a reminder of the dangers of substance abuse in the wrestling industry and the potential consequences it can have on a wrestler’s career.