‘It would imply the world to me to get Brit wrestling legend honoured in hometown’

A diehard wrestling fan is urging council chiefs to honour the late grappling legend Davey Boy Smith in his hometown. Michael Finney’s petition for the ring hero to be included in Wigan’s “walk of fame” has more than 8,000 signatures.

Officials in the town have refused to give Davey one of its Believe Stars – which are given to notable local heroes such as Lioness Ella Toone and Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson – as they are just for living people.

But Michael, 41, believes the council should show more flexibility with the rules. He said: “I don’t understand the living rule. Davey made a huge impact when he was alive. It feels so wrong not giving somebody who did so much a walk of fame star.”

Michael previously campaigned for Davey, known to millions around the world by his ring name, the British Bulldog, to be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame. He was finally inducted in 2021, but his legacy is not honoured in the town where he was born and grew up.

A number of famous faces and top wrestling stars have signed Michael’s petition, including former WWE champion Chris Jericho, who said Davey was “a true legend and pioneer in this business”, adding: “He deserves that star and he should get that star.”

And ex-TNA world champion Frankie Kazarian – who was a huge fan of the Wigan-born star as a kid – previously said Davey should be a “national treasure in the UK” for what he achieved in the squared circle.

Michael, of Lincolnshire, said he first became a fan of musclebound Davey – who wrestled with red, white and blue bursting from every inch of his hulking 19st frame – during his 1990s heyday.

He said after his previous Hall of Fame petition reached 26,000 signatures, he was asked if he would consider launching another for Davey to be formally recognised in Wigan.

And the author is hoping that even if the council don’t budge on their stance on a star, they might consider a blue plaque on Davey’s childhood home.

Michael dedicates much of his spare time to the campaign has also had famous faces like Superman Returns star Brandon Routh sign his petition and publicly back it. He said: “He represented us so much, that’s why I am so loyal in this aim to get him honoured.

“He gave his heart and soul to representing people like myself across the UK. It would mean a lot if we could get him honoured. I couldn’t put into words how much it would mean. He would be the first British wrestler to feature on any walk of fame.”

The muscle-bound star is widely regarded as one of the best British wrestlers of all-time and became a national hero in his 90s heyday and marched to the ring draped in the Union Jack.

His crowning achievement came at Wembley Stadium in 1992 when he beat brother-in-law Bret Hart for the Intercontinental Championship in front of 82,000 fans.

He also won the European Championship twice, the Tag Team Championship twice, and the Hardcore Championship twice. He tragically died of a heart attack at just 39 in 2002 after more than two decades in the ring took its toll on his body.

A council spokesman told the Daily Star its walk of fame celebrates the contributions of living residents of Wigan Borough, but there are alternative ways to commemorate his memory, which it is “happy to discuss” with his family.

Visit here to back the campaign. Published author Michael currently has a new book out, which can be purchased here.