Two days after he headlined the WWFs infamous Beware Of Dog pay-per-view opposite Shawn Michaels, Davey Boy Smith faxed Vince McMahon his ninety day notice. His intention was not to leave the WWF but rather to force McMahons hand into giving him the main event level contract he felt he deserved. However, once Eric Bischoff got wind of his availability he was eager to make a deal. By the time Bischoff came to the negotiation table he had debuted the nWo angle on television to a phenomenal response, with the success driven by the unpredictable nature of recent former WWF stars turning up and pledging their allegiance to the renegade faction. Smith would fit the bill perfectly as the groups latest addition, and WCW were so confident that he had been wooed by their deep pockets that they earmarked his debut for the September 2nd edition of Nitro. But Smith did not want to return to WCW. He had suffered a torrid time there in 1993 and had actually been fired by Bischoff over a monetary dispute, so he had little interesting in working for him again. Davey Boys loyalty was to the WWF and upon surveying the wrestling landscape he realised he was in a better position in New York than he would be in Atlanta, despite personal assurances from Hulk Hogan that he would be looked after. Eventually Smith turned down the WCW offer and re-signed with the WWF for $250,000 per annum guaranteed. Little over a year later due to the fallout of the Montreal Screwjob, he was forced to pay $150,000 out of his own pocket to tear up the contract and quit the WWF to follow Bret Hart to WCW.
The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.
