The British Bulldog's final match in the WWF, #OnThisDayInWWE 25 years ago

Bruce Prichard heralded Davey Boy Smith as "The Hulk Hogan of the UK" - but now back in the WWF in 2000, he's not "the old Bulldog" and "needs time off to get his head and body straight"

If you were to ask a member of the British public, be they a WWF fan or not, to name a British wrestler, undoubtedly they would say the British Bulldog - even 23 years after his death.

But a quarter of a century ago today marks a sad end to a legendary career in both the WWF and WCW for Davey Boy Smith.

His final match in the World Wrestling Federation aired on Sunday Night Heat on 28 May 2000.

Davey faced Eddie Guerrero for Latino Heat’s European Title - a belt that he proudly held as the first champion.

We get impressive feats of strength from the Bulldog, aided by Guerrero’s agility.

“Pound-for-pound, perhaps the strongest athlete in the WWF”, declares Michael Cole as Davey holds Eddie up in a delayed vertical suplex.

It ends in a double DQ, hinting at an ongoing feud - but we never get one.

You can watch the full bout on Monsoon Classic on YouTube (a fantastic archive of ‘lost’ wrestling matches and moments.)

But by the time this aired, Bulldog had been sent home by the WWF after a concerning appearance at a house show in Calgary, Alberta, Canada - home to the Hart Family - and showing up the next day late and unable to wrestle.

As I’ll explain, Davey’s life out of ring sadly goes downhill, with domestic disputes, family feuds and death threats - and we never got another appearance in the WWF

Almost exactly two years after we see him on Heat, he sadly passes away, aged only 39.

He spoke candidly the day before his death about his struggles and intentions to return to the WWF. I also share the thoughts of Bruce Prichard, Jim Ross and brother-in-law Bret Hart, who said: “His biggest mistake was letting bad people influence his innocent heart.”