- Jeff Luce

From humble beginnings, to international notoriety, “The Dynamite Kid” Tom Billington paid his dues. Now, Billington is no longer competing in the squared circle, and this is thoroughly chronicled in Pure Dynamite, as a wrestling career of abuse has left “The Dynamite Kid” a shell of his former self.

Pure Dynamite is Billington’s way of bringing the fan into his world. As a young boy in Lancashire, England, Billington was a rough and tumble youth, who had his share of scrapes. A review of Billington’s family history indicates that “The Dynamite Kid” had fighting in his blood. His father was a former amateur boxer, who actually recorded a win over Jim Sullivan, who would go onto win a World Championship in boxing. Not far from Lancashire, was the town of Wigan, a renowned shoot wrestling Mecca. As most youngsters from this area, it was only a matter of time before Billington made his way to the infamous Ted Betley’s training ground. This is where “The Dynamite Kid” would be born so to speak.

When he was ready to turn pro, “The Dynamite Kid” was more than a worker, he was a shooter. Wrestling was his way of avoiding the back breaking work of the coal mines; little did Billington know that wrestling would be just as back breaking. His first shot in the pro ranks was working for Max Crabtree. Working in England did not exactly set Billington’s bank account of fire, and he soon made his way to Canada.

It was in Canada, working for Stu Hart, that “The Dynamite Kid” began taking steroids to get bigger. Actually, it was a tour through Germany, in which Sylvester Ritter, “The Junkyard Dog” gave Billington an introduction to the muscle producing drug: Dianabol.  Ironic that “The Dynamite Kid” was a shooter in the ring and out. It was also in Canada that Billington was introduced to another drug, speed, by none other than Jake “The Snake” Roberts. After doing some good business in Canada with Bret Hart, the legend of “The Dynamite Kid” was heading for the place that would get his name known world wide, Japan.

In his first tour, Billington was not enthralled with the Land of the Rising Sun, but subsequent tours of the island nation proved very lucrative for “The Dynamite Kid,” both financially and for his in-ring experience. Working against Tatsumi Fujinami was like a breath of fresh air for Billington, as Fujinami could match holds with “The Dynamite Kid.” Now in Japan it was usual for foreign wrestlers to be the bad guys, but “Kido” as the Japanese fans affectionately called him, was an exception to that rule.

During this time, “The Dynamite Kid” was spending his time working between Calgary and Japan. He also did a shot in Hawaii. Soon “The Dynamite Kid’s” cousin, who would go onto to become one of the biggest names in the sport, Davey Boy Smith, joined Billington in Calgary. It was Smith’s own cousin that started him on his collision course with death, by supplying him with steroids. First they feuded; then they teamed. Eventually they went to Japan as a team.

Portland was “The Dynamite Kid’s” next stop, and it was here that he became a member of Rip Oliver’s clan. He was stilling doing shots in Japan and Calgary too.

One interesting aspect of the book is that Billington kayfabes his time in Japan, but shoots on all his other wrestling tales. 

All of this is the backdrop to “The Dynamite Kid’s” most successful run in wrestling. His team with his cousin Davey Boy Smith would soon make their way to the World Wrestling Federation, as “The British Bulldogs.” This tag team rates high on the scale of the other infamous pairings during the 80s. “Dynamite Kid” was making the best money of his career, but his reckless style was also taking a noticeable toll on his body. The abuse of steroids on his body was evident, but he still wrestled and always gave 110 percent. His body was meant to hold no more than 175 lbs, but the steroids bulked him up in the 220 lbs range.

Billington is not above shooting on the wrestlers he was not fond of; in fact, some of his statements are downright hurtful to those he directed them to. I will not spoil them here, as I think it is proper to read the context in which he makes his statements. He was after all a wrestler trained in the shoot style. I did not find Billington to be as bitter as some who have reviewed this book, rather I found him to be a straight shooter, who did not hold back. But the people he did like, he does not hesitate to lather on the praise, so he is equal opportunity.

On a scale of one to 10, I’d rate this book a solid eight. The back story was all new material for me, as I knew very little about “The Dynamite Kid” prior to his WWF run. The inside information is first rate. Most importantly, I give Billington credit for not laying blame for his personal problems on anyone but himself. Takes a big man to admit he was his own worst enemy.