Much has been written about the legendary in-ring exploits of The Dynamite Kid, and almost as much penned regarding his trials and tribulations outside it. Despite the amount of text written, the words have never come from someone who knew Tom Billington as well as his wife of his prime wrestling years, Michelle.
Writing exclusively in the pages of Fighting Spirit Magazine, Michelle details her often tumultuous marriage to the now-wheelchair bound star. In this snippet from the article, she offers her memories of when she decided that enough was enough; Dynamite was a physical wreck, with his wrestling income starting to dry up because of those injuries, which led to a highly unstable life at home. With Tom returning bloody and bruised after having gotten into a bar-room scrap, Michelle felt she had to look out for her young family, and separate her children from their father.
"It was at that moment that I realised what the future held, and when Tom left for a couple of days after New Year's (1991), I contemplated ending it for myself, my kids, and the baby growing inside of me. I couldn't do it, though; I couldn't do it because I couldn't guarantee that no-one would survive. My neighbour came to visit me, and told me to call mental health. The lady was a lifesaver; she told me I was in the cycle of violence, and there were only three ways out: I kill myself, the perpetrator gets treatment, or I leave him. The first and second were already met with a big fail, and it was this lady who helped me to see that I could rise above and leave Tom, go back to school, and be self-sufficient. I didn't believe it at the time, but I knew I had to try and save my kids.
"I bought Tom a one-way ticket to England, and paid for it with the last $3,000 we had in the bank. When I gave him the ticket, we had a big argument, and he put me in holds that popped out my jaw, and stretched me in agony. He told his brother to go get his gun, because he was going to shoot me if I didn't gather up the kids and leave for my sister's in 15 minutes.
"I did end up leaving, and going to stay at [my sister] Julie and Bret [Hart's] house, and it was the last time I'd have to knock on her door, for her to hide us while Tom cooled down. Just like when we were kids, Julie promised to protect me, no matter what."
The complete six-page version of this remarkable article, covering The Dynamite Kid's time in the WWF in particular, is featured in Issue 88 of Fighting Spirit Magazine, on sale now from WH Smiths in the UK, and Easons in Ireland. Subscribe to FSM via www.FightingSpiritMagazine.co.uk and have each issue delivered straight to your door, with money off the cover price and a free gift (details in the magazine). Follow FSM on Twitter @FSM_Editor.
TAGS:
Dynamite Kid,
Michelle Billington,
FSM
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honky claimed that never happened though
