10 Wrestlers WWE Gave Up On Too Soon

7. D.H. Smith

Damien Sandow promo
WWE.com

Now wrestling as Davey Boy Smith Jr. in Japan, D.H. Smith comes from a legendary bloodline.

As The British Bulldog’s son, Stu Hart’s grandson, and Bret Hart’s nephew, Smith had an immediate pathway into the business, and he bolstered his great genetics with immense strength and power inside the ring. Though he struggled with charisma, Smith had all the tools to be a permanent fixture in the upper-midcard, but he was fed on scraps through his WWE career.

Smith initially ran afoul of the company’s Wellness Policy just two weeks after his 2007 debut, and was quickly relegated to Sunday Night Heat. After struggling to impress, WWE saw fit to push him back down to their FCW developmental territory, but Hart re-emerged alongside Tyson Kidd and Natalya in 2009. The Hart Dynasty were able to capture tag title gold on two occasions, but they dissolved in 2011, and Smith was released shortly after.

Since leaving WWE, Smith has developed into one of the best “big man” wrestlers on the planet. He’s still as strong as an ox, and after adding significant technical acumen to his game, there’s not a wrestler alive that he can’t hang with. You’d think that WWE would always have a use for such a multi-talented second-generation athlete, but alas.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.