The Time Davey Boy Smith Jr. Used His Grappling Skills to Save a Life

CALGARY, AB – October 22, 2017 – For professional wrestler Harry Smith, known to fans worldwide as Davey Boy Smith Jr., the skills he honed in the ring proved to be a matter of life and death on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Calgary. Driving on the city’s 16th Avenue, Smith spotted a crisis unfolding on the Crowchild Trail overpass near Bowness Road, and his swift, decisive action saved a woman’s life.

Instinct Takes the Lead

Smith, a third-generation member of the famous Hart wrestling family, was driving when he saw a woman hanging from the edge of the bridge, visibly distressed, while another individual attempted to reason with her. Without hesitation, Smith pulled over, jumped the highway barricade, and approached the situation.

“She was crying and an emotional mess and threatening to jump if I got closer,” Smith recounted later on social media. Recognizing the extreme danger, he knew he couldn't take any chances.

Grappling for Life

As the woman began to slip and move toward the fall, Smith relied on his decades of wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and self-defense training. He lunged, securing a tight grip on her arm, knowing that grabbing clothing would risk tearing it.

“Luckily [from] my years of grappling and self-defense I knew how to grab her HARD and how to pull her up from hanging off and jumping,” Smith explained.

He managed to physically yank her back onto the concrete structure. Once she was safe, the gravity of the situation became clear. The woman, sobbing, said she simply wanted a hug, but also claimed she was carrying a firearm. Smith, demonstrating incredible presence of mind, immediately secured her using a grappling technique—later stating he established the "mount position"—to prevent her from moving or accessing a weapon until help arrived.

“I told her ‘Miss, you’re not going to move unless I want you to, I’m an expert grappler and you’re not going to shoot me. We will get you help, life is a precious thing and I’m here to help you,’” he stated.

A New Definition of Accomplishment

Smith remained on the bridge, holding the woman down and comforting her, until the Calgary Police Service and paramedics arrived to take over. Police confirmed the incident occurred as Smith described.

While Smith has achieved considerable success in the wrestling world, he maintains that this moment transcends any professional accomplishment.

"For me, saving someone’s life is the greatest accomplishment I’ve ever made," Smith said. "It means more than winning any championship in wrestling."

In a situation that mirrored a scene from a movie, Harry Smith’s genuine heroism and unique skillset ensured a tragedy was averted, proving that sometimes, the greatest strength is measured not by how many titles you hold, but by how much life you save.