WWE legend passes away on his birthday, wrestlers and fans pay condolences on Twitter
Thursday, December 6, 2018 IST
WWE legend and former Tag-Team Champion 'Dynamite Kid' passed away at the age of 60. He was suffering a number of health issues after a injury-prone wrestling career.
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Former WWE superstar and wrestling legend Thomas Billington, better known as "The Dynamite Kid", passed away on his 60th birthday. Billington’s friend and former wrestler Marty Jones confirmed the news on Twitter which led to several condolences by former and current wrestlers. He had been battling a number of health issues for several years but the exact cause of death is still not known. Jones posted on Twitter- "It's with great sadness I have to inform you all that the Dynamite Kid Tommy Billington on his birthday passed away. A true British ambassador for wrestling worldwide. RIP 'Kid'. Condolences to Mark and his family."
Billington was left paralysed in wheelchair after suffering numerous leg and back injuries during his career. Billington was born in Lancashire, England and shot to fame when he wrestled in the 1980s as the "British Bulldog" along with cousin and tag partner Davey Boy Smith.
"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 professional wrestling as we now it today. He flew high, and gave it his all every match," Davey Boy Smith Jr. confirmed the news.
Billington started wrestling at the age of 13 and joined Stampede Wrestling at 20. In 1984, he made his his way to WWE (then WWF), where he formed a team called British Bulldogs with his cousin, Davey Boy Smith
In 1997, Billington lost the use of his left leg due to the large number of back and leg injuries he suffered during his career. Billington was widely considered by many, including Bret Hart and Dave Meltzer, to be one of wrestling's most best in-ring performers of his generation and has influenced the likes of Daniel Bryan and Chris Benoit.
Several wrestlers like New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Will Ospreay and current WWE star TJ Perkins paid tribute to the Billington on Twitter after learning of his death.
Billington is survived by his son and two daughters.
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