WWE Elite 82 British Bulldogs Davey Boy Smith figure review

Mattel is playing a risky game releasing the tag team versions of certain stars without their partner under contract. We’ve seen that with the Hollywood Blondes Stunning Steve Austin, Freebirds Michael PS Hayes and today’s focus: British Bulldogs era Davey Boy Smith.

Dynamite Kid might be one of the least likeliest signees for Mattel so this version of Davey Boy might forever be solo in my display. But then again, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a Chyna in my collection either so it’s worth taking the chance. Let’s see how the bark is on this figure.

Packaging: Davey Boy is part of Elite Wave 82, but he doesn’t have the cross sell on the rear package like the other figures.

This always confuses me since it’s not like collectors can’t get the rest of the wave at the same exclusive spot they get the special figure. I guess there would have to be one missing figure and it’s easier to just take everyone off instead of omitting one character.

Now that I’ve worked that out, the presentation is solid with Davey Boy posed like he’s walking Matilda. Mattel has been a lot more intentional about package posing and this one is very fun.

The photograph choice is…interesting as it just features Davey Boy chilling in the corner. Seems like Mattel could have found a better photo for him.

Likeness:  Mattel’s hairstyle choice was a little odd to me as this is latter era WWF Bulldogs as Davey has a mini-mullet. When they dominated the WWF, both Bulldogs had pretty tight and short haircuts. The Deluxe Classics Davey Boy had my preferred hairstyle for the Bulldogs.

The braids-era British Bulldog has always reminded me more of Davey’s son, Harry, than Davey. I know his son looks just like his dad, which makes that complaint sound weird.

This head sculpt finds that small precise space that best captures Davey’s likeness and not his son.

Mattel nailed the parts formula for Davey Boy with the thick, but not fat torso, muscular arms and appropriately proportioned legs.

Scale:  The Bulldogs weren’t giants in a time when that was the norm in the mid 80s WWF. Davey Boy was 5’11” compared to the 6’1” Arn Anderson and 5’10” Tully Blanchard and 6’3″ Ax and 6’2″ Smash.

His figure seems appropriately scaled, which is always great. This reminds me I need to swap the heads and left arm of Demolition so Ax is actually taller than Smash.

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Paint:  This is an instance where I really wish Mattel had Dynamite Kid as well so we could get multiple versions of the Bulldogs with their matching reds and light blues in addition to the white, red and blue tights featured with this figure.

I like the white attire a lot and I guess it makes the most sense as it’s the most functional for a solo Davey Boy Smith if we never get Dynamite. The light blues or reds are more strictly focused on the tag team era.

The paintwork is solid despite the more complicated red, white and blue boots; the three ring socks (that are just blue instead of a red ring) and the more challenging Union Jack on the back. My figure did have a weird smudge on the back right leg. Hopefully I can clear that off.

Articulation:  Davey Boy’s mold is one of the overall best in the line in terms of articulation and useful movement.

He’s not limited that much by what moves he can’t pull off besides the more complex submission holds you’d need the Ultimate Edition articulation model to pull off.

That’s the reason this is one of the more popular molds for customizers to utilize.

British Bulldogs Davey Boy Smith has:

• neck
• bicep
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbows
• wrists
• wrist hinge
• torso
• waist
• hips
• thighs
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories:  Davey Boy comes with one of the best accessories Mattel has given us with the Matilda figure. Matilda turned out nice and has a friendlier expression than one might expect for a bulldog.

She has a leash of decent enough length so you can have Davey Boy sic her on Jimmy Hart and Slick if he ever gets made.

And as an added bonus, you could pair Matilda up with the braided British Bulldog as Winston.

Additionally, Davey Boy gets a set of swappable fists.

I would have loved those sweet UK cloaks and shirts the Bulldogs rocked during this era as well. Maybe in a tag team set?

Worth it?  I got British Bulldogs Davey Boy for $20. That’s the normal price for the line and he’s worth that price point.

Still, it’s one of those instances where Mattel has opened Pandora’s Box by including alternate head sculpts and cloth attire so I wish he had just a little more since we know that’s possible with this price.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

I really wish Mattel went with the shorter haircut for this era Davey Boy and the cloak/shirt would have been nice although Matilda is a great addition to the lie.

Where to get it?  British Bulldogs Davey Boy Smith is exclusive to Target. Unlike Walmart you should be able to actually find him in stores without resorting to the secondary market.