Could Norman Smiley have been a main eventer?

[Metalheadbanger Man]

I've been thinking about this, and I would say that Smiley must've been the most over midcard guy in WCW, especially towards the end. I know the likes of Kidman and Misterio were popular too, but they were featured more prominently on TV than Smiley.

His hardcore title stuff was fun, but Smiley was always a very good technical wrestler on top of the comedic stuff. I think its nt beyond the realm of possibility that he could've challenged for the WCW Title, and maybe even have a run with it with the right booking. The fans would've gone for it, I think.

[notasmark]

I don't think so. He was a comedic relief character.

I could of seen him getting a TV Title run in 2000 if they had kept that division alive but I don't think he would of got a lot further.

[tms]

Like Regal, he was an excellent wrestler who simply wrestled a different style than everyone else. With the exception of his AWESOME swinging bodyslam (which I'm amazed hasn't been re-used by someone else these days), most of his stuff was mat-based or low-impact. It was a great change from the usual punch-punch-boot-clothesline style, but wouldn't have drawn the crowd in (IMO). Also, his attire was terrible. He had the no kneepads and underwear/sneakers look which really looked out of place.

I think he was positioned about right, although I liked him more as an actual wrestler than I did hardcore wrestler.

[Sam Punk]

I think he definitely could.

[________ has left the building]

He would have to develop a case of the SRS before he could be a main eventer in WCW.

[Baldobomb-22-OH-MAN!!!]

no, and for the same reason Santino wouldn't work as one in WWE. some guys are fantastic in their niche and have no place in the spotlight. having to suddenly take a joke character seriously robs them of a lot of what's likeable about them.

[Smiley Smile]

As far as I remember, he was rather successful in Mexico, winning the CMLL World Heavyweight championship at one point in the '90s.

As for main eventing in the United States, as talented as he was I don't think he ever would've been able to be a legitimate, long-term main eventer for reasons already detailed. Having said that, I think he certainly could've been more than a comic relief hardcore wrestler, with the ability to have become a very very solid midcard worker.

[willywonka666]

He was over like "Who let the dogs out" was over. doesn't mean he was the caliber of Hulk Hogan, just like the Baha Men were not the caliber of the Beatles. In other words, no.

[Dave the Dave]

I'll just leave Norman facing a young pre-tard Nick Dinsmore on Saturday Night.

I think it was just his look. CHange his gear and he could have been a bigger deal.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyl1Qfd0YQU

[Greer]

Absolutely not.

He is probably...no, definitely my favorite comic wrestler of all time. But he ain't main eventing Starrcade.

[Ultimo Chocula]

I heard that Norman was supposedly only third to Meng and Barbarian as the toughest guy on the roster at the time.

[Deleted]

Aug 27, 2012 7:39:06 GMT -5 Smiley Smile said:

As far as I remember, he was rather successful in Mexico, winning the CMLL World Heavyweight championship at one point in the '90s.

He was but he was working a masked gimmick at the time, I believe.

[chazraps]

Well, in WCW 2000, you could justify a world title reign for Smiley more than a lot of other reigns that happened that year. I'd be for it.

[Dat Dude]

Wasn't he considered a main-eventer in Mexico?

[Wolf Hawkfield no1 NZ poster]

Aug 27, 2012 21:22:10 GMT -5 Ultimo Chocula said:

I heard that Norman was supposedly only third to Meng and Barbarian as the toughest guy on the roster at the time.

Duno about being the third toughest but I've herd that Rick Steiner picked a fight with him and he knocked out Steiner with just one punch.

[celticjobber]

No, in WCW he was just a midcard comedy act. Much like Santino Marella is in WWE today.