Johnny Smith (wrestler)

Johnny Smith (born John M. Smith on August 5, 1962) is a British-Canadian retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in various promotions, including Stampede Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Smith began his wrestling career in the early 1980s, training under the legendary Stu Hart in the Dungeon. He quickly established himself as a skilled technical wrestler with a reputation for toughness and athleticism. In Stampede Wrestling, he formed a popular tag team with the Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington) known as the British Bulldogs, though this team preceded and was distinct from the more famous WWF version of the Bulldogs.

His success in Stampede Wrestling led to opportunities in Japan, where he became a prominent figure in All Japan Pro Wrestling. In AJPW, Smith competed against and alongside some of the biggest names in Japanese wrestling, including Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, Kenta Kobashi, and Stan Hansen. He was known for his hard-hitting style and his ability to adapt to the Japanese wrestling culture. Smith won the World Tag Team Championship twice with Dynamite Kid and also held the All Asia Tag Team Championship.

Later in his career, Smith wrestled for WCW in the early 1990s, primarily as a mid-card performer. He also continued to wrestle on the independent circuit before retiring from active competition. Although he didn't achieve the same level of mainstream recognition in North America as he did in Japan, he is respected by many fans and wrestlers for his technical skills and contributions to the sport, particularly in Japan.

After his wrestling career, Smith remained relatively private. He is often cited as an influential figure in the evolution of professional wrestling, especially due to his work in Japan.