Norman Smiley


Norman Anthony Smiley is an English/American retired professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in Mexico's Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre where he held their world heavyweight title and is also known for his appearances with the American professional wrestling promotion World Championship Wrestling from 1997 to 2001. He currently works for WWE as a trainer for NXT. Championships held by Smiley over the course of his career include the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship and the WCW Hardcore Championship.

Early life

Smiley was born in Northampton, England in the United Kingdom. In the early 1970s, his parents divorced and Smiley and his mother emigrated to Miami, Florida in the United States. Smiley attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he took part in amateur wrestling and powerlifting. He graduated in 1984.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1985–1991)

Norman Smiley trained under Boris Malenko and Dean Malenko before making his debut in 1985 on the Floridian independent circuit. He was originally known as "Black Magic", then as the hated "Lord Henry Norman". Smiley wrestled in Japanese shoot-style group the Universal Wrestling Federation in 1988 and 1989. In 1990 Smiley competed at the World Championship Wrestling Starrcade 1990 event teaming with Chris Adams against the team of Konnan and Rey Misterio, Sr.

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (1991–1995)

In 1991, he began wrestling for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico as "Black Magic", winning the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship and holding it until losing to Brazo de Plata in 1993.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1995–1996)

In 1995 and 1996, he briefly competed in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion.

World Championship Wrestling/WCW (1997–2001)

Smiley signed with World Championship Wrestling in 1997, making his debut on the October 13, 1997 episode of WCW Monday Nitro, defeating La Parka in a dark match. Smiley made his televised debut at the World War 3 pay-per-view, competing in the titular battle royal; however the match was won by Scott Hall. After being removed from television, he returned on the February 8, 1998 episode of Nitro, with a new gimmick, which saw him perform his signature dance move, the "Big Wiggle". However, in his return match, he would be defeated by Konnan. On the June 8 episode of Nitro, Smiley faced Fit Finlay for the WCW Television Championship, but failed to win the championship. At Fall Brawl, Smiley faced Ernest Miller in a losing effort.
Smiley turned heel began in a backstage interview on the December 19 episode of Saturday Night, where he mocked the fans for saying his name incorrectly. At Starrcade, he defeated Prince Iaukea. He then feuded with Chavo Guerrero, Jr., on one occasion destroying Guerrero's hobby horse mascot, Pepè, by feeding it into a wood chipper on the January 11, 1999 episode of Nitro. At Souled Out on January 17, Smiley defeated Guerrero. In late 1999, Smiley entered the hardcore division. He would enter into a tournament to determine the inaugural WCW Hardcore Champion, which he won by defeating Brian Knobs in a tournament final at Mayhem on November 21. During his run with the championship, he would adopt the nickname 'Screamin', due to constantly screeching in a high-pitched tone during his matches, because of his fear of weapons. He would also often wear protective sports equipment as he entered the ring, usually also in the uniform of a local pro or collegiate sports team to gain a cheap pop. He lost the Hardcore Championship to Brian Knobs on the January 12, 2000 episode of Thunder, which he failed to regain at Souled Out in a fatal four-way match also involving Fit Finlay and Meng.
Smiley feuded with Brian Knobs, Meng and Terry Funk during his tenures as WCW Hardcore Champion, recruiting Chris Jericho's former associate Ralphus to be his manager. With the assistance of Ralphus, he stole a backyard wrestling championship from a group of children during a vignette.
Smiley remained in WCW until the company was sold to the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001. He was not hired by the WWF following the sale.

Independent circuit (2001–2007)

Smiley wrestled for the short-lived X Wrestling Federation and the World Wrestling All-Stars before returning to the independent circuit.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002, 2006–2007)

He wrestled briefly for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2002 and then had several tryout matches with WWE in 2003 and 2004. In February 2006, he was backstage during the TNA pay-per-view Against All Odds 2006, and he wrestled in an eight-man opening match on an episode of TNA Impact! shortly thereafter, doing the Big Wiggle on Jeff Jarrett. At TNA Destination X 2006, Smiley and Shark Boy lost to David Young and Elix Skipper. on the March 18 episode of Impact, Smiley and Shark Boy defeated The Latin American Xchange. on the April 8 episode of Impact, Smiley and Shark Boy competed against Elix Skipper and David Young with the match ending in a no contest when Jeff Jarrett's Army attacked all four men and Smiley was inactive for several weeks following an attack at the hands of Scott Steiner, but returned on the June 29 episode of Impact!, losing to Monty Brown. on the July 13 episode of Impact, Smiley lost to Abyss. on the September 7 episode of Impact, Smiley, Shark Boy and The James Gang lost to America's Most Wanted, Matt Bentley and Kazarian. on the October 5 episode of Impact, Smiley competed in a fatal five way match which was won by Shark Boy. on the October 19 episode of Impact, Smiley lost to Christian Cage in a street fight. At Bound for Glory, Smiley competed in Open Invitational X Division Gauntlet battle royal which was won by Austin Starr. On the February 16, 2007 episode of Impact! Smiley made his return, teaming with Shark Boy in a loss to The Latin American Xchange this tag team match would turn out to be Smiley's final match with TNA.

WWE (2007–present)

In 2007, Smiley relocated to Orlando to work as a trainer for WWE's then development territory, Florida Championship Wrestling. In early 2010, he started making on-camera appearances as the lieutenant general manager of FCW and later in August of that year he was known on FCW TV as the liaison for the FCW president, Steve Keirn.
Since its inception as a developmental territory, Smiley has continued to work as a trainer for WWE in NXT.

Championships and accomplishments