Norman Smiley

"His work outside of WCW was much more impressive, but his WCW days weren't as bad as I remembered. Solid technician. Just learned he was trained by Boris Malenko, too. That's a high mark to me."

[7.0] "Normal Smiley is more than what WCW showed. He was insanely good in the ring and could scrap with anyone and whoop their ass. He also did the wiggle."

[10.0] "It's time Norman got his recognition for being a former Wold Heavyweight Champion in CMLL. Smiley was a legitimate tough guy and he could do it all: Shoot Style, Lucha, British style, American and comedy which he is mostly known for. Even his comedy was entertaining, he made his Hardcore gimmick work and his scoop slam really was a thing of beauty. Norman did what he asked and he did it well and without ego, and many FCW and NXT workers credit Norman Smiley for his teachings. THE most under appreciated wrestler ever."

"A rating that doesn't reflect his true ability, greatly hindered in peoples mind for his limited WCW run."

[6.0] "Norman Smiley is kinda great. Is he 10 outta 10? No. But he's allways been a very soild hand in the ring and I usually find his matches quite enjoyable."

[10.0] "One of the most underrated wrestlers ever and the most underrated on this site. Shame on all the smarks who gave him this terrible rating."

[8.0] "I am bumping my rating for Norman Smiley from a 7 to an 8. It was a rating that took his whole career into account, so it is not like it was not an informed rating. While he did excellent work everywhere else he went, I cant completely ignore that his WCW work (before the comedy stuff) was not setting the world on fire. Other guys like Regal and Malenko had a similar background, but figured out how to make that work for mainstream American wrestling fans. However, it is well documented that he is one of the most unfairly rated wrestlers on the whole site. I gave TJP an 8 with a similar mentality: a wizard when it comes to actual wrestling technique, but having such a cardboard personality that it negatively affects his overall effectiveness. If I can give that void of charisma an 8, then Norman Smiley deserves at least that much. He is just too technically proficient to give anything less."

[6.0] "Legitimately talented and very good in-ring as shown by matches in Mexico and Japan and, ever so occasionally in WCW when they gave him more than 5 minutes. Norman could have been a legit mid-card champion (TV or US heavyweight title) but instead he was given crap gimmicks and bad opponents."

[9.0] "Norman smiley is absolutely criminally underrated here. The man had a great skill set and list of moves, especially his technical stuff. Lots of charisma that seemed to be infectious. Also very entertaining with his big wiggle dance moves. Smiley will always be one of my faves."

[5.0] "Norman Smiley could wrestle but he got a comedy gimmick in most of the matches I have seen of his. The Wiggle was a stupid move and his hardcore matches were unimpressive."

[9.0] "Norman Smiley is likely the single most underrated wrestler on Cagematch. He was a master of technical wrestling, as seen by his work as Black Magic. He definitely found his biggest success in WCW in 2000, but Screamin Norman was so damn good that he made Russo-era Nitro watchable. The Big Wiggle is still the best dance move in pro wrestling."

[9.0] "Norman Smiley is wildly underrated. He was an extremely talented grappler and wrestler who could work amazing matches when he was allowed to. His UWF Newborn stuff made me feel like I was watching Volk Han at times. He was that good. His work in CMLL is tremendous as well."

[9.0] "Prior to getting over as Screamin' Norman Smiley and being a goofy hardcore wrestler in WCW which hey, it worked so not knocking him for that, Smiley was a truly gifted technician who worked all over the world and managed to have great matches wherever he went. While a very good hand to have, the main issue with Smiley is that aside from the big wiggle he used to do which admittedly was popular, he really had nothing going for him as a character. He looked bland and non-descript despite his talents. Still, looking at his overall body of work, I have to rate him highly as a wrestler. Plus, he also helped to train the likes of MVP and Brian Cage for what its worth."

[8.0] "Who can actually say that they managed to work the territories, the shoot-style leagues of Japan AND the number one lucha libre promotion ? Practically nobody. The guy went from the Florida office, to the UWFi to reaching the top spot in Mexican wrestling. Not to mention his stint as the longest-serving coach in the WWE."

[8.0] "Underrated wrestler who was hilariously charismatic. I can never forget The Big Wiggle, nor "Screamin" Norman Smiley. He was great in his own right for sure."

[8.0] "So underrated. I found him entertaining, had a nice style and he was one of the VERY FEW highlights of 2000 WCW"

[5.0] "Dude was a legit mat technician and even started getting over with "the wiggle" but then the dumb hardcore stuff came along and he wasn't allowed to show it as much. His talents were wasted in the Russo WCW."

[9.0] "The guy was universal in talent in talent. I don't think there was a style of wrestling he couldn't do from strong style to lucha, to hardcore and comedy. WCW really dropped the ball when it came to Norman."

[8.0] "Very talented technically, Tremendous work in Mexico has Black Magic. UWFi run showed off that he can go plus the WCW run although mostly known for comedy. He could have a good solid match with anyone."

[7.0] "Far better than what he gets credit for. Very talented technician, I'd recommend viewing his work from the UWF."

[6.0] "I always got a kick out of Norman Smiley-- great comedic wrestler. I think he settled into a comedy role before he got a real chance to establish himself as a legit guy, and that's a shame because he had good skill."

[9.0] "Brilliant wrestler, capable of comedy but a wonderful technical wrestler as well. Does not get nearly enough respect."

[7.0] "Despite the goofy gimmick he got later, he was actually quite a legitimate worker beforehand overseas, even in early TNA he was having great matches. Regardless, it's clear that his decades of ring experience combined with a natural charisma that made WCW's horrible writing work well enough that he's still remembered for it to this day. The fact that he remains as a NXT developmental trainer is pretty impressive considering he's not exactly a big name in the business."

[8.0] "Anyone who says Norman Smiley was bad in the ring either wasn't paying attention or doesn't know wrestling. He was always a good technical wrestler. In WCW's dying days, he really came into his own as a goofball midcard comedy wrestler. Screamin' Norman was never going to be the world champion or anything, but for a long time he was one of the only entertaining things in WCW."

[9.0] "Surprisingly good technician, I liked his Screamin gimmick, and I think that's what most people will know him for. Which is a shame, cause his early work in Japan and Mexico are pretty damn good."

[6.0] "Norman Smiley was very underrated, more than just the terrible gimmick he was foisted with in his waning years. His work in the UWF and CMLL is worth checking out."

[8.0] "Norman Smiley was an amazing worker. His work in UWF demonstrated how skilled he was. He was also hilarious. The big wiggle was ok but his hardcore days, those were the best. Especially when he showed up in a random kid's backyard wrestling fed, pinned the kid and took his belt."

[9.0] "Norman Smiley, Black Magic, had it all and still gives a little bit of what he has left to his many trainees. Smiley started in WCW as just another jobber, but couldn't help but stand out and become a superstar in his own right, more or less defining that company's hardcore division. And years prior, he set the world on fire in Mexico, where he was a true main event star. Smiley was a hell of a lot more than just the Big Wiggle, and hey, the Big Wiggle was pretty fun, too."

[8.0] "Screamin' Norman? The Big Wiggle? There are some wrestlers that are right on the borderline of ironically liking and truly liking, and Norman is right there."

[9.0] "Great technical wrestler and very charismatic. I mainly knew him from WCW, though I later saw some of his stuff from Mexico. Whether as a technical master, fun dancing babyface or reluctant hardcore champion, Smiley was always a lot of fun to watch. His match against Chavo Guerrero, Jr. at Souled Out '99 was amusingly a mat clinic, fought over a stick horse. Wish TNA would have done more with him, but I'm sure he has much to contribute as an NXT trainer."

[8.0] "From a masterful technical wrestling wizard to a comedic hardcore champion, Lord Norman has had quite a career. One of the best parts of latter day WCW, no matter what role he was in."