In an interview with WWE.com, NXT trainer Norman Smiley spoke about his long career and who he’s coached in NXT. Here are highlights:
On who he’s coached in NXT: “Well, after working for the WWE for almost eight years, you can imagine the quantity and quality of some of the students that I have worked with. There have been many students who came into developmental with prior experience, so I can’t make a claim to exactly training them, but I would show them different options and enforce how we do things in the WWE. Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Bo Dallas, Summer Rae, Big E, Konnor, who I have known for many years, and David Otunga I pretty much trained from day one. Sheamus, Alicia Fox, Adam Rose, King Barrett, just to name a few, are students that I spent time with helping them to adjust to the WWE style. I would estimate that I have worked with at least 80 percent of the present main roster to some degree.”
On the evolution of the industry: “It has never been more evident than now that we are a television company, and it’s not a “rasslin’ show” that we produce. There is not one facet that is overlooked to give the WWE Universe the best possible product. One of the many hats I wear is that of a producer. As I am going over a match with my students, I always have in the back of my mind what would be the best camera angle to view this hold or move. Students at NXT have to be prepared for everything. Our guys and girls must all spend time in the gym, improve their speaking skills, and develop a character, all while learning the moves between the ropes. It is a full-time job with sacrifice, but it is also a dream job.”
On if there is a formula to increase the chances that someone will make it: “I think at this stage, it is very difficult to see who will achieve any kind of success. Granted, everyone enters NXT stating how bad they want it and that they want to be World Champion and wrestle at WrestleMania. Ultimately, time and hard work are the determining factors. There are so many elements involved in creating a “star,” including some luck.”
