Bison Smith

Early life and career Smith was born in Arcadia, California and moved to Fresno, California when he was one year old, where he was raised. He began weightlifting at the age of 13. He played American football at the University of Colorado, where he was an offensive lineman. He competed for the International Wrestling Association (IWA) in Puerto Rico, where, on November 1, 2003, he defeated Glamour Boy Shane to win the IWA World Heavyweight Championship, which he held for over a month, before losing it back to Glamour Boy Shane. In his next appearance two days later, Smith and Low Ki were defeated by KENTA and Kenta Kobashi. He teamed with fellow Americans, and his trainers, Michael Modest and Donovan Morgan in June to defeat Takeshi Rikio, Muhammad Yone, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru, which was followed by a defeat for his team, also including Akitoshi Saito and Masao Inoue, to Mitsuharu Misawa, Akira Taue, and Jun Izumida. Smith didn't appear again in Pro Wrestling Noah until he went on a tour with them in November 2005, where he usually teamed up with fellow "gaijins", or foreigners, most commonly Low Ki. He also teamed with Nigel McGuinness, Doug Williams and Scorpio on various occasions throughout November and December 2005.

At the start of 2006, Smith returned to the United States, where he began competing for New Wrestling Superstars. The next night at Injustice II, Smith interrupted a match between Grizzly Redwood and Chris Escobar, and attacked both men. At the Caged Collision pay-per-view, which was taped on January 31, Smith attacked Bryan Danielson, during a number one contender's match, powerbombing him on the floor and giving him a concussion. Smith made his in-ring debut on February 6, at Proving Ground 2009 Night One. He quickly defeated Sal Rinauro gaining the victory with the Skull Vise Slam. The next night at Proving Ground Night Two, Smith gained his second victory, defeating John Kermon. On the March 4 edition of the ROH Video Wire, it was revealed that Prince Nana, a manager who had just recently returned to ROH, was controlling Smith. Smith had his first loss in ROH on March 13 at Stylin' and Profilin, when he lost to Danielson by countout. Smith made his debut in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City in a losing effort teaming with the returning Jimmy Rave against Danielson and the returning Colt Cabana on March 21. Smith, with Rave and Ernie Osiris, then joined the newly reformed Embassy faction, led by Prince Nana.

Death Smith died on November 22, 2011, in Puerto Rico due to heart complications. Men in Smith's family had a history of early deaths linked to heart disease, Smith's maternal grandfather died at the age of 43 due to heart disease, and several of his maternal great-uncles also died from heart-related issues. Heart disease was a recurring condition in Smith's family. Smith was in Puerto Rico because he was due to fight Eddie Colon the same week during World Wrestling Council's Crossfire show. The event started with a tribute to Smith by Willie Urbina with the WWC roster in the arena.

Championships and accomplishments All Pro WrestlingAPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Boyce LeGrande Pro Wrestling IRON' PWI International Wrestling Championship (1 time) Global Tag League (2008) – with Akitoshi Saito Global Tag League Technique Prize (2011)- with Masao Inoue