HeelByNature.com is reader-supported. When you click on links or make purchases through our site, we or our affiliated partners may earn a commission. Additionally, our site features Sponsored Content, which helps us maintain and operate the website.
Dynamite Kid Passes Away At Age 60
Friends and family of Thomas Billington, aka Dynamite Kid have confirmed the passing of the former WWE Tag Team Champion. Billington passed away on his 60th birthday with a cause of death unknown at this moment.
Dynamite Kid joined the WWE in 1984 alongside Davey Boy Smith, forming The British Bulldogs. Dynamite Kid hurt his back during a match in 1986, and required surgery to repair two ruptured discs in his spinal column. That injury was the start of many health problems.
The Dyamite Kid spent his post-WWE career in Stampede Wrestling as well as Japan. His final wrestling match took place on in October of 1996, at a Michinoku Pro event titled These Days.
In 1997, after many complications he experienced from various back and leg injuries, Billington lost the use of the left leg, and was wheelchair bound. His health degenerated over the years, and suffered a stroke in 2003. Billington was named in a lawsuit against the WWE concussion-based injuries alongside over 40 other former WWE stars.
Billington had three children with his first wife Michelle, who is the sister Of Bret Hart’s first wife Julie.
The WWE has acknowledged his death, and has issued the following statement.
WWE is saddened to learn that Thomas Billington, known to his fans as Dynamite Kid, has passed away at age 60.
Born in Golborne, Lancashire, England, Billington pursued sports-entertainment as a means to avoid a life as a coal miner. Although somewhat undersized, he possessed a ferocity and determination that earned him the nickname The Dynamite Kid.
As a singles competitor, he made his mark in WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, developing a style that was both technically brilliant and wildly aggressive. It was in Japan, however, where Dynamite Kid set a new standard for junior heavyweight competition in a legendary series of matches against Tiger Mask, which would influence an entire generation of competitors, and help set the stage for brands like WWE’s 205 Live.
Dynamite Kid joined WWE in 1984 with his cousin, Davey Boy Smith, forming one of the most popular tag teams of their era, The British Bulldogs. Alongside their mascot, an English bulldog named Matilda, the duo battled it out in classic matches against Bret “Hit Man” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart of The Hart Foundation, and defeated Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake to win the World Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania II.
WWE extends its condolences to Billington’s family, friends and fans.
It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of Tom Billington the “Dynamite Kid.” 😭😢🙏I was really happy and glad I got to see Dynamite one last time last June in the UK. 🇬🇧 ❤️🙏. Dynamite was certainly an inspiration to myself and many others and really revolutionized pic.twitter.com/req7CWTdxm
— Davey Boy Smith Jr. (@DBSmithjr) December 5, 2018