Norman Smiley getting WWE dark match, apparently Options

[LucharesuFan619]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8707816.htm?1c

A wrestler fights to recapture glory

A professional wrestler from Pembroke Pines who was once a pay-per-view star now plies his trade on the independent circuit, but he still dreams of the big time.

BY NICHOLAS SPANGLER

nspangler@herald.com

Norman Smiley is a professional wrestler. For 18 years he has made his living portraying a sniveling coward and sadistic abuser.

In his glory days you might have seen him on television: Monday Nitro and Thursday Thunder, innumerable pay-per-views that appeared under the imprimatur of the World Championship Wrestling Federation in the late '90s. He was world champion, in Mexico; he fought before thousands in Japan. He was good enough for a six-figure contract.

But WCW went out of business and the contract didn't pay.

He didn't walk away. He couldn't. He hit the independent circuits in Mexico and Florida, fought weekend bouts in clubs and auditoriums. He was the headliner a few weeks ago at the Milander Park Recreational Center in Hialeah.

His fans, those who once hated him dearly, those who remembered, were waiting outside.

Smiley lifted a gallon jug of water and a stainless steel suitcase from the trunk of his white Cadillac and then they saw him.

``Hey, man, I caught you on cable the other night.''

'You still makin' the rounds, huh?'' They talked American.

''Getting older,'' Smiley replied, in British.

``Yeah, everyone is. Rounder, too.''

Smiley signed a couple autographs and walked into the rec center.

It was cool and dark except for the lights over the ring. The other wrestlers were there, and the girl who would sing the national anthem. Smiley said hi and walked into the bathroom to settle up with the promoter in privacy. He'd earn in the low four figures for the night.

Smiley is 39. He was born in England, raised in Miami Beach, wrestled on the Miami Beach Senior High team in 1983, never went to college, never had a career besides wrestling. He lives in comfort in a big house in a gated community in Pembroke Pines, keeps a neat yard watered nightly by automatic sprinklers. He saved his money over the years, but he still needs to work.

People think you're a millionaire if you've been on television; people think you rake it in like The Rock. People don't know.

Smiley took a table on the edge of the room and opened the briefcase. He removed dozens of photographs: Smiley in agony, Smiley imparting agony, Smiley smiling with celebrities. There'd be a little money on the side if they sold.

The doors were opened. Enter the fans: shaggy-haired boys, stringy girls in tight jeans, crew-cut dads, they walked past or browsed, curious. Some of the adults bought photographs. Some of the kids pawed through but didn't ask their dads for money. Smiley autographed a few and gave them away to the kids for free.

The girl who'd been practicing sang the national anthem and a catchy dance number and the wrestling began: hours of grandiloquent and absurd violence committed by muscled wraiths, decadent fat tubs.

A night of violence. Of slams and flying kicks, blows to the head with chairs. Of illegal choking unseen by a ref distracted at a crucial moment by not one but two buxom preening ring girls. Of dastardly kicks to the groin, broken alliances, heroic kick-outs.

No prim silence in this theater, no fourth wall here: full, throaty, honest audience participation.

``I seen more muscles on a baby!''

``That's what you get!''

Smiley's opponent was Ryan ''Payne'' O'Reilley, an angry boastful Irishman with drunk leprechauns tattooed on his biceps who bore little resemblance to the real-life 24-year-old construction worker named Ryan Parmeter.

O'Reilley insulted the crowd and Smiley encouraged the kids to stay in school. He said the girl who'd sang the anthem had the voice of an angel. After 18 villainous years, Smiley was tonight playing the bold and honest baby-face.

Smiley's head was driven into the floor by the leering savage, this man without honor. His face was slammed against a metal fence. His wrist was twisted and yanked, and he was nearly pinned a number of times.

The comeback -- last-minute and against all odds -- is a crucial feature of the pro match, and Smiley made his. He left victorious and caught an afternoon flight to Mexico City the next day for a week of bouts in the provincial towns.

Smiley wants to get back into the big time, and his chance is coming. World Wrestling Entertainment -- the federation with most of the television contracts, the stars and the money today -- comes to Miami in June. Smiley fights on the undercard. It's a tryout, he said one night, back from his travels.

``I've learned you can never say never, but this will be the fourth time I've tried. If they haven't accepted me up to this point. . .''

To put life in wrestling terms: The ref has started the count -- this could be the end, folks. But the veteran has come back from behind so many times before. Can he do it just once more? Heck of a match, folks, too close to call.




Credit to DAREALGUMMY for hooking me up with this story.

I remember shortly after WCW was bought by WWE, Norman sent an e-mail to WWE about possibly getting a shot there, and was told that they didn't have a spot for him. Maybe that's changed now? So, could we be seeing the Big Wiggle on WWE TV sometime soon?

[Guest_Salacious Crumb_*]

Probably not, they'll either not sign him or sign him and then order him not to dance or do any of his signature spots. Then fire him for not getting over.

[Guest_Fook_*]

He's 39 and has never been a big name. As much as I'd like to see the Big Wiggle again, there's no reason for the WWE to sign him.

[thuganomics]

Depends if its Smackdown or not.

I could see WWE hiring him as another concession to Eddie Guerrero, as Black Magic was another regular acquaintance of his back in Mexico.

[Guest_Coffey_*]

I was just watching some old WCW tapes last night with Norman on them. If you get past the damn gimmick, he's really pretty well-rounded in the wrestling department. Very technical with a submission based style. He was doing little things that stuck out to me. For example, when he was outside the ring and was thrown back into the ring, instead of just getting rolled in, he jumped so he could be thrown in over the bottom rope. Little things like that stick out to me.

Get rid of the "Big Wiggle." WWE doesn't need more comedy acts.

[PLAGIARISM!]

It'd be one hell of a comeback and I'd give him all the credit in the world if at 39 he could get back on TV, but I don't see it happening.

[Guest_Man Of 1,004 Modes_*]

I always found Norman entertaining, but if he's signed by WWE, I won't expect him to be anything more than a curtain jerker or someone to feed to the next monster.

[AlaskanHero]

I'd love to see him on Smackdown. He'll probably never mess with Eddie, but I could very easily see him as an opponant for Cena.

[Guest_MikeSC_*]

I was just watching some old WCW tapes last night with Norman on them. If you get past the damn gimmick, he's really pretty well-rounded in the wrestling department. Very technical with a submission based style. He was doing little things that stuck out to me. For example, when he was outside the ring and was thrown back into the ring, instead of just getting rolled in, he jumped so he could be thrown in over the bottom rope. Little things like that stick out to me.

Get rid of the "Big Wiggle." WWE doesn't need more comedy acts.

Without the Big Wiggle, he doesn't get over.
-=Mike

[Guest_Trivia247_*]

didn't Norman get dark matches before with the WWE back in the days of when the WCW got bought out?

[razazteca]

If Norman Smiley talks with a british accent he can be Regal's man-servant like Farnsworth is for Sean Combs.................Who doesnt want to see Norman doing the BIG WIGGLE with an umbrella!

[Guest_Trivia247_*]

If Norman Smiley talks with a british accent he can be Regal's man-servant like Farnsworth is for Sean Combs.................Who doesnt want to see Norman doing the BIG WIGGLE with an umbrella!

imagine Norman would be a bad influence on Eugine behind Regal's back teaching Eugene to do the big wiggle

[Lil' Bitch]

Well, I for one hopes WWE signs Norman Smiley. I mean after all, he was the best Hardcore Champion WCW ever had. (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ChrisMWaters]

If the Rico/Haas team ever breaks up...think about it...

RICO & SMILEY!

[Guest_Man Of 1,004 Modes_*]

Well, I for one hopes WWE signs Norman Smiley. I mean after all, he was the best Hardcore Champion WCW ever had. (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Screamin' Norman was AWESOME, too bad he wasn't fond if the idea.

[ChrisMWaters]

Well, I for one hopes WWE signs Norman Smiley. I mean after all, he was the best Hardcore Champion WCW ever had. (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Maybe...but what about the ONLY UNDEFEATED WCW Hardcore Champion...

"THE MONSTER" MENG!

[Guest_Salacious Crumb_*]

He only defended it once.

[PLAGIARISM!]

He only defended it once.

You're in danger of tearing the prestige from his accomplishment.

[tbondrage99]

I would like to see Norman Smiley get a contract with the WWE. I always found him quite entertaining, I wouldnt care if he was even only on the B shows like Heat or Volicity at least its something right?

[Shanghai Kid]

Norman Smiley was the man.

[Guest_glennsoe_*]

Such a shame that Lucious Lucy (Shannon Ward) were released earlier this year....On smackdown;

"The battle of the extreme's"

Normay Smiley & Shannom Ward (Screamers) vs Rico & Jackie (alt.lifestyles)

Place your bets guys !!

Anyways I can see Screaming Norman getting "over" in the wwe, BUT he's a "wcw creation" so Vince will only push him "so far"...

[Sideburnious]

I think Rico and Smiley could work well together. I mean if they just throw him on the roster he'll just sink to the bottom like so many before (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Enigma]

Norman would be a great pickup.

I was at RAW in Atlanta, GA in Philips Arena in April 2003 and Norman had a dark match against Mark Jindrak and it was regarded as the best match of the night.

Anyone that can pull a good match out of Jindrak deserves a contract.

[thuganomics]

He'd be a solid lower midcarder on Smackdown, but then again, Smackdown has enough floundering lower midcarders.

I'd still love to see him in WWE.

[LivingLegendGary...]

I loved Smiley in WCW, but if he was in WWE, JR would probably just think the Coach was coming out to fight.

[LucharesuFan619]

Norman's dark match has been confirmed, and will take place either on June 21 or June 22 in Florida. Norman's also scheduled to work on a wrestling show in Egypt in a few months.