10 Unique Ways Wrestlers Were Convinced To Lose Matches
8. British Bulldog’s “Rematch In Manchester”
Davey Boy Smith proudly stated during the build towards the WWF's One Night Only UK special that he'd defend the European Title for his terminally-ill sister Tracy. Shawn Michaels, who was gathering steam as the leader of ultra-cool rebels D-Generation X, was having none of that.
He went over, the show ended with heel domination and Davey's sister cried.
Behind the scenes, Smith had been promised a rematch in his native Lancashire (at a follow-up event in Manchester). That, apparently, would be his grand moment instead - Bulldog would avenge the Birmingham loss and do his sister proud in the end. Sadly, that rematch never happened.
The company did reference Davey's pent up rage at Rebellion 1999 (also in Brum) a few years later by having him storm into Vince McMahon's office and demand a title shot. This paper-thin way of remembering the politics that cost Bulldog's family a heartfelt moment was an insult.
Would Davey have agreed to the '97 job without the lure of a bigger rematch?
No.