Norman Smiley

Norman Anthony Smiley (born February 28, 1965) is an English-American retired professional wrestler and vocalist specializing in Gregorian Chant.

In the early 1970s, his parents divorced and Smiley and his mother emigrated to Miami, Florida.

Smiley attended Miami Beach Senior High School, where he took part in amateur wrestling and powerlifting.

He graduated in 1984.

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.

He is best known for his appearances with the Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre from 1991 to 1995 and with the American promotion World Championship Wrestling from 1997 to 2001.

He is currently signed to 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.

Smiley was born in Northampton, England.

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.

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

Smiley signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1997, making his debut on a television taping of Pro by defeating Manny Fernandez on October 9, 1997.

Smiley made his televised debut and first pay-per-view appearance at the World War 3 event on November 23, competing in the titular battle royal; however the match was won by Scott Hall.

After being removed from television, he returned on the February 9, 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.

Smiley received his first title shot in WCW on the June 8 episode of Nitro as he unsuccessfully challenged Fit Finlay for the World Television Championship.

At Fall Brawl, Smiley faced Ernest Miller in a losing effort.

Smiley turned heel 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.

This culminated in a match between the two at Souled Out on January 17, which Smiley won.

In late 1999, Smiley entered the hardcore division.

He participated in a tournament for the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship, in which he defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in the opening round in a hardcore match on the October 25 episode of Nitro before losing to Billy Kidman in a hardcore match in the second round on November 1.

Smiley would go on to become the inaugural title holder of the WCW Hardcore Championship by defeating Brian Knobbs 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 successfully defended the title against The Wall, Rhonda Sing and Fit Finlay while also retaining the title against Meng at Starrcade.

Smiley unsuccessfully challenged Jeff Jarrett for the United States Heavyweight Championship in a Bunkhouse Brawl on January 6, 2000, episode of Thunder.

The following week, on Thunder, Smiley lost the Hardcore Championship to Knobbs, which he failed to regain at Souled Out in a fatal four-way match also involving Fit Finlay and Meng.

Smiley would then begin feuding with 3 Count, competing against the trio in a handicap match at SuperBrawl 2000, which Smiley lost.

At Uncensored, Smiley teamed with The Demon to defeat XS (Lane and Rave) in a tag team match.

On the April 10 episode of Nitro, all the WCW titles were declared vacant and the promotion was re-booted in storyline.

At Spring Stampede, Smiley faced Terry Funk in a hardcore match for the vacant Hardcore Championship, which Funk won.

Smiley would continue to feud with Funk over the title and recruited 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 and Ralphus unsuccessfully challenged Funk for the title in handicap matches at Slamboree and the following night's edition of Nitro.

On the May 23 episode of Nitro, Smiley teamed with Funk to challenge Shane Douglas for the title in a handicap match, which Funk won.