Thomas Billington, known to his fans as Dynamite Kid Dead at 60

WWE star Tommy Billington passed away on his birthday after battling ill health for a number of years.

WWE is saddened to learn that Thomas Billington, known to his fans as Dynamite Kid, has passed away at age 60.

Born in Golborne, Lancashire, England, Billington pursued sports-entertainment as a means to avoid a life as a coal miner. Although somewhat undersized, he possessed a ferocity and determination that earned him the nickname The Dynamite Kid.

As a singles competitor, he made his mark in WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, developing a style that was both technically brilliant and wildly aggressive. It was in Japan, however, where Dynamite Kid set a new standard for junior heavyweight competition in a legendary series of matches against Tiger Mask, which would influence an entire generation of competitors, and help set the stage for brands like WWE’s 205 Live.

Dynamite Kid joined WWE in 1984 with his cousin, Davey Boy Smith, forming one of the most popular tag teams of their era, The British Bulldogs. Alongside their mascot, an English bulldog named Matilda, the duo battled it out in classic matchesagainst Bret “Hit Man” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart of The Hart Foundation, and defeated Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake to win the World Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania II.

WWE extends its condolences to Billington’s family, friends and fans.

Billington’s nephew, Davey Boy Smith Jr., tweeted, “It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of Tom Billington the ‘Dynamite Kid.’ I was really happy and glad I got to see Dynamite one last time last June in the U.K. Dynamite was certainly an inspiration to myself and many others and really revolutionized professional Wrestling as we now [sic] it today. He flew high, and gave it his all every match. Thanks for everything and sad to have lost another family member. Rest In Peace Dyno.”

“It’s with great sadness I have to inform you all that The ‘Dynamite Kid’ Tom Billington on his birthday has passed away,” wrestling trainer Marty Jones tweeted. “A true British ambassador for wrestling worldwide. RIP ‘Kid’. Condolences to Mark and his family.”

It deeply saddens me to announce the passing of Tom Billington the “Dynamite Kid.” ???I was really happy and glad I got to see Dynamite one last time last June in the UK. ?? ❤️?. Dynamite was certainly an inspiration to myself and many others and really revolutionized pic.twitter.com/req7CWTdxm

— Davey Boy Smith Jr. (@DBSmithjr) December 5, 2018

Billington began wrestling when he was 13 years old and toured Britain by the time he was just 16. He began his career with Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, when he was 20, The Daily Mail reported.

Billington worked in Japan before signing with the World Wrestling Federation as one half of the British Bulldogs in 1984.