Billington Bulldogs

Billington Bulldogs
Tag team
MembersMark Billington
Thomas Billington
Name(s)Billington Bulldogs
Dynamic Duo
Dynamite Duo
Billed fromWigan, Greater Manchester, England
Former
member(s)		Davey Boy Smith Jr.
DebutAugust 25, 2018
Years active2018–present
TrainerMarty Jones
Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Bret Hart

The Billington Bulldogs are a British professional wrestling tag team consisting of real-life brothers Mark Billington and Thomas Billington, the nephews of Dynamite Kid, one-half of the tag team the British Bulldogs.[1] They are currently the Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Champions in the first reign, being the inaugural champions for that title.

Since debuting in 2018, the Billington Bulldogs have competed in various wrestling promotions primarily in the British and Canadian independent circuit. They are also known for their tenure in Major League Wrestling (MLW). The team has been successful in the independent circuit, becoming the inaugural Pro2 Wrestling, Wild Rose Sports Association (WRSA) and Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Champions.[2][3][4]

History

British independent circuit (2018–present)

After being trained by British wrestling legend Marty Jones,[5] Mark and Thomas Billington made their professional wrestling debut as "The Dynamic Duo" for a Royal Imperial Wrestling event Tequila Sunrise 7: Heat Of The Battle on August 25, 2018. Dynamite Duo competed as participants in a gauntlet match, won by High And Mighty (Mark Daniels and Martyn Grant).[6] They used the Dynamic Duo name during their early years before ceasing to use the name in 2019 and changed the team name to Billington Bulldogs.[7] They once used the Dynamite Duo name at a Fight Forever Wrestling event Dance of the Dragon on March 29, 2019, where they lost to British wrestling veterans Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm.[8]

Defiant Wrestling (2019)

On the January 13, 2019 episode of Loaded, Mark Billington and Thomas Billington made their Defiant Wrestling debut as they were introduced by their trainer Marty Jones and competed in an exhibition match against each other. The match ended in a no contest after The South Coast Connection (Ashley Dunn and Kelly Sixx) interfered by attacking both men.[9] As a result, Dynamic Duo competed against South Coast Connection in a losing effort on the February 3 episode of Loaded. The following week, on Loaded, Dynamic Duo picked up their first win in the promotion by defeating The Models (Danny Hope and Joey Hayes). On the March 17 episode of Loaded, Dynamic Duo unsuccessfully challenged South Coast Connection for the Defiant Tag Team Championship. At Lights Out, Dynamic Duo lost a match to Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm.

South West Wrestling (2021)

In 2021, Billington Bulldogs competed for South West Wrestling, participating in a tournament for the vacant SWW Tag Team Championship. They defeated The Se7en (Bishop and Fletcher Law) in the opening round at Winning Days Volume One. They lost to The Boyz (Buzzsaw Bronson and Flynn Burden) in the tournament final on the first day of Nightmare Before Crimbo.

Pro2 Wrestling (2021–2022)

Billington Bulldogs competed for Pro2 Wrestling at Brawl at the Hall on November 6, 2021, where they defeated Patter N Batter (Ewan O'Raw and Stone Malone) to become the inaugural Pro2 Tag Team Champions.[10] At Joker's Wild, Bulldogs successfully defended the titles against Hammerhead Smith and Rob Valentine.[11] They vacated the titles at Battle Lines on October 23, 2022.

Revolution Pro Wrestling (2023–present)

In October 2023, it was announced that Billington Bulldogs would make their debut for Revolution Pro Wrestling as participants in the Block A of the 2023 Great British Tag League at Live in Southampton 26 on October 8.[12] Bulldogs lost their first match in the tournament against Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos and Kid Lykos II).[13] Bulldogs lost their next matches in the tournament against The Knights (Ricky Knight Jr. and Zak Knight),[14] and Keiron Lacey and Mark Trew.[15]

Canadian independent circuit (2022–present)

Real Canadian Wrestling (2022–2023)

Billington Bulldogs debuted on the Canadian independent circuit by competing at Real Canadian Wrestling (RCW) event Summer Blowout on September 2, 2022. Bulldogs defeated Ciclon Ramirez Jr. and The Healer in their debut match. At Fall Brawl, Bulldogs unsuccessfully challenged The RADz (Rich King and TY Jackson) for the RCW Tag Team Championship. At Vengeance, Billington Bulldogs participated in a four-way match for the new International Tag Team Championship. The match was won by Matt Hart and Steven Styles.

Wild Rose Sports Association (2022–2023)

Billington Bulldogs competed at WRSA's debut event 1st Annual Pro-Wrestling Invitational Tournament on September 9, 2022, where they participated in a tournament for the new WRSA Tag Team Championship, defeating The Brand (Shaun Martens and Sydney Steele) in the semi-final round. On the second day, Bulldogs defeated DTA (Brett Matthews and Jordie Taylor) in the tournament final to become the inaugural WRSA Tag Team Champions. They lost the titles to The Prophets (Chris Kastles and Rhino Reynolds) at a CanAm Wrestling event on November 5.

Dungeon Wrestling (2022–2023)

In October, it was reported by CTV News that Billington Bulldogs would compete against The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv Sihra and Harv Sihra) at Dungeon Wrestling's debut show WrestleWeen on October 29, 2022.[16] The match ended in a time limit draw. At the Unfinished Business pay-per-view, Billington Bulldogs defeated Bollywood Boyz to become the inaugural Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Champions. They successfully defended the titles against The Dark Sun Brothers (Sol and X-Devil) at Romero Rumble 2.

Major League Wrestling (2022–2023)

On October 14, 2022, it was reported on Major League Wrestling's official website that Billington Bulldogs would make their MLW debut by teaming with their cousin Davey Boy Smith Jr. (the son of Davey Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid's cousin and tag team partner) against Bomaye Fight Club (Alex Kane, Myron Reed and Mr. Thomas) at Fightland.[17] Prior to their debut, the Billington Bulldogs had furthered their training under the tutelage of Smith and Bret Hart.[18] Smith and the Billington Bulldogs won the match, which aired on the January 12, 2023 episode of Fusion, marking their televised debut in MLW.[19] On November 16, it was reported that Billington Bulldogs had officially signed a multi-year contract with MLW.[20] On the February 21, 2023 episode of Underground Wrestling, Billington Bulldogs defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Ray Jaz).[21] Billington Bulldogs continued their feud with Bomaye Fight Club as they were scheduled to take on Reed and Thomas in a match at Blood and Thunder,[22] which aired on the March 7 episode of Underground Wrestling.[23] This was their last match in MLW and they quietly departed MLW shortly after as their profiles were removed from MLW's roster section by April.[24]

Championships and accomplishments

  • Pro2 Wrestling
    • Pro2 Wrestling Tag Team Championship (1 time inaugural)
  • Wild Rose Sports Association
    • WRSA Tag Team Championship (1 time, inaugural)
    • WRSA Tag Team Championship Tournament (2022)
  • Dungeon Wrestling
    • Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Championship (1 time, current and inaugural)

References

  1. ^ "Dynamite Kid's nephews officially sign with MLW for British Bulldogs stable". Cageside Seats. November 16, 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Dungeon Wrestling Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Pro2 Wrestling". Scottish Wrestling Network. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  4. ^ "WRSA Tag Team Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  5. ^ Docking, Neil (9 February 2019). "Nephews of WWE legend The Dynamite Kid set for This Is Wrestling show". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  6. ^ "RIW Tequila Sunrise 7: Heat Of The Battle". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Billington Bulldogs' match history as Dynamic Duo". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  8. ^ Jake Jeremy (March 31, 2019). "Fight Forever Dance of The Dragon Results (03/29)". SE Scoops. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  9. ^ "DEFIANT LOADED – EPISODE 6 (TAPED JANUARY 05, 2019)". BackBodyDrop. January 13, 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  10. ^ "PRO2 WRESTLING, RESULTS Full Results: Pro2 Wrestling 'Brawl at the Hall 2021'". Scottish Wrestling Network. November 6, 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Full Results: Pro2 Wrestling 'Joker's Wild'". Scottish Wrestling Network. May 1, 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Preview: Live In Southampton 26". Revolution Pro Wrestling. October 7, 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  13. ^ Ian Hamilton (October 8, 2023). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live in Southampton 26 10.08.2023 Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  14. ^ Ian Hamilton (October 23, 2023). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live in Sheffield 10.22.2023 Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  15. ^ Ian Hamilton (November 26, 2023). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live at the Portsmouth Guildhall 11.27.2023 Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  16. ^ Glenn Campbell (October 26, 2022). "Hart family bring wrestling back to Stampede Park for Halloween weekend event". CTV News. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Davey Boy Smith & Billington Bulldogs to debut Oct 30 in Philly". Major League Wrestling. October 13, 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  18. ^ Nash, Anthony (16 November 2022). "Billington Bulldogs Sign With MLW". Yahoo. Retrieved 12 May 2024. Debuting in 2019, Mark and Thomas, the nephews of the Dynamite Kid, have recently been training for their upcoming January 7th MLW bout with their cousin Davey Boy and another distant relative in Canada: Bret "Hitman" Hart.
  19. ^ Marcus Arias (January 19, 2023). "1/12 MLW FUSION TV REPORT: MLW Middleweight Championship, Bulldogs vs. Fight Club, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Billington Bulldogs sign with MLW". Major League Wrestling. November 16, 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  21. ^ Jason Powell (February 22, 2023). "2/21 MLW Underground results: Powell's review of Alex Hammerstone vs. Yamato for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, The Billington Bulldogs vs. The FBI, and Sam Adonis vs. Calvin Tankman". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  22. ^ Joseph Currier (December 27, 2022). "Tag team match announced for MLW Blood & Thunder". WON / F4W. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  23. ^ Jason Powell (March 7, 2023). "3/7 MLW Underground results: Powell's review of Lio Rush vs. Jacob Fatu, Alex Hammerstone vs. Lance Anoa'i for the MLW Heavyweight Championship, "The Billington Bulldogs" Tom Billington and Mark Billington vs. Myron Reed and Mr. Thomas". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  24. ^ "FIGHTERS". Major League Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.