Every WWE Release Of 2021 - Where Are They Now? (Five Years Later)

Then: WWE's official outlets beamed with delight upon announcing the grand return of Davey Boy Smith Jr in July 2021. Son of the British Bulldog, Davey Jr had been part of the old Hart Dynasty as David Hart Smith during his first stint between 2006-2011.

Things seemed to be heading in the right direction, and Smith was set to be pushed as 'The Stampede Stud', but then things went quiet. A reported COVID-19 diagnosis didn't help matters, and Davey Boy Jr was on the outs by November. His 'Stampede Stud' gimmick would never happen, and he only worked one dark tag-team match (with Austin Theory vs. Odyssey Jones and Xyon Quinn) before leaving the promotion for a second time.

What might've been, huh?

Now: Smith has been candid about what happened since then. After recovering and getting back to full health, he launched headfirst into runs with MLW, the NWA and All Japan. There, he captured the Triple Crown Championship, which vindicated his own faith in himself.

WWE hasn't always had that faith, and it's totally bizarre that they flaked on making something more of Smith Jr (health issues or not). Vince McMahon was still very much at the helm back in the summer of 2021, and Davey has the size and toughness the old man loved. It's puzzling that he didn't get to show up on TV.

Smith Jr turned 40 last year, but he's still going hard at it in All Japan and on the independent circuit. Will he get a third look in at WWE? Watch this space.