There is no doubt that the Dynamite Kid is one of the best British wrestlers of all time, and maybe one of the best ever full stop.
Tom Billington’s incredible fast-paced and hard-hitting style was decades ahead of his time. The Englishman directly inspired legends like Chris Benoit and Bryan Danielson, as well as the entire junior heavyweight style of wrestling across the world today.
In this article, we’ll go through the best matches from the Dynamiate Kid’s career, explaining what makes them so great and him such a legend of wrestling.
5. Dynamite Kid vs British Bulldog – NJPW New Year Golden Series 1984
The first match on the list of Dynamite Kid’s best matches is a family affair with his cousin, Davey Boy Smith.
The match between British Bulldog and Dynamite Kid was a solid showcase of athleticism between the two tag partners.
While it was full of impressive moves, it lacked a deeper storyline beyond the ongoing tournament.
Dynamite Kid’s enzuigiri on Davey Boy Smith was a standout moment, as was Davey’s sell for it. The intensity was palpable, especially with them being family, which added a layer of intrigue.
However, the finish—a countout after both fell outside— left some viewers unsatisfied. Despite this, the action was hard-hitting and well-executed, making it a memorable encounter.
4. British Bulldogs vs Hart Foundation – WWF on PRISM Network
The Hart Foundation vs. The British Bulldogs was an excellent early clash between two legendary tag teams. Ending in a 20-minute time limit draw, the match highlighted the natural chemistry between these teams and set the foundation for their future encounters.
Davey Boy Smith stood out, though Dynamite Kid seemed to take a backseat in this one. The Hart Foundation, still without their iconic pink and black attire, gave a glimpse of what was to come with Bret Hart’s technical prowess and Neidhart’s brute strength.
The action was fast-paced, and the crowd was fully engaged, though they were clearly disappointed with the draw. Despite the sudden finish, this was a strong example of classic 80s tag team wrestling.
3. Dynamite Kid vs Tatsumi Fujinami – NJPW New Year Golden Series 1980
Dynamite Kid vs. Tatsumi Fujinami was a classic wrestling encounter between two of the best in the business. Right from the start, the crowd was electric, especially every time it looked like Dynamite might go for his signature flying headbutt.
The match was intense and methodical, with both men showing off their technical prowess and conditioning.
Dynamite Kid was in top form as the heel, targeting Fujinami’s bandaged head and really laying in some vicious offence. Fujinami, on the other hand, played the resilient babyface perfectly, bleeding profusely and fighting back with every ounce of energy.
There were some brilliant moments, like when Dynamite casually avoided one of Fujinami’s big moves, making it look effortless.
While the match was a bit slower in parts, and the finish came rather suddenly, it was still a fantastic bout. The crowd’s reaction at the end, especially when Fujinami managed to secure the win with a surprise pin, was a testament to the quality of the match. Overall, it’s a great showcase of 80s wrestling with two legends at their best.
2. British Bulldogs vs The Malenko Brothers – AJPW New Year Giant Series 1989
The British Bulldogs vs. The Malenko Brothers was a seriously fun tag team match that put technical wrestling front and center. Joe Malenko was on fire with his submissions, and the chemistry between all four guys, especially Dean and Davey Boy, was impressive.
One of the highlights had to be that back-and-forth Full Nelson exchange between Dynamite Kid and Joe Malenko—it was one of those “wow” moments that sticks with you.
The match ran about 25 minutes, and while some thought it dragged a bit with too many rest holds late in the game, the crowd was fully into it, especially with Dynamite Kid bleeding by the end. That gave the whole thing a gritty, battle-like vibe. Sure, the finish was a little out of nowhere, but it fit the story they were telling.
Not everyone thought this was a classic, but for fans of mat-based, technical wrestling, it was a real treat. If you appreciate great grappling and a bit of old-school flair, this match is definitely worth a watch.
1. Dynamite Kid vs Tiger Mask – NJPW Big Fight Series II 1983
Not only is the clash with Tiger Mask the Dynamite Kid’s best match, but it can argued to be one of the most important matches of all time.
The pair put on an all-time great match in Tokyo, in front of 12,000 screaming fans at the NJPW Big Fight Series II in 1983. The pair used the skills they learnt working in the UK, combining it with the NJPW and Stampede styles that had become so familiar to them.
This created a match that blew fans away in 1983, and is still impressive even to this day. The duo worked at a lightning-fast pace for nearly 20-minutes, as they fought for the WWF Junior Heavyweight title.
Both men pulled out counters for their opponentns counters to their counters. It was an awe-inspiring dislay of athletisism at technical skill. Dynamie Kid and Tiger Mask basically invented the junior heavyweight style in their series of matches, with this being the cherry on the top of that series.
Considering this match took place that same year as WrestleMania I, but could pass as a match in 2024, speaks volumes to how ahead of their time the duo of Dynamite Kid and Tiger Mask are.
