Robert Stone recalls wrestling Norman Smiley.
Smiley has been essential to WWE's developmental system for nearly two decades at this point, as he first started as a trainer back in 2007.
Before that, Smiley had a lengthy career in the ring, competing for promotions like CMLL, WCW, TNA, and WWE.
While speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful for a new interview, Robert Stone recalled wrestling Smiley in a TNA Xplosion match in 2003.
"It's funny because that was actually in—God, that probably would have been in like 2003 / 2004 back in the Nashville days. Maybe 2003, maybe even 2002. I don't know. But that was probably towards the end of him winding down his career before he eventually started with FCW to become a trainer. I remember that match because while we were out there, whatever it was planned to be on TNA Xplosion—which was a syndicated show— maybe say it was a four minute match. While we were out there and we were about three minutes in, for some reason, and I don't know what it was, we got three minutes added to the match. So we're already on the comeback, almost finished with it and we got three more minutes. Mind you, at that time, I'm still very new to wrestling. TV wrestling and times are new to me. So I have no clue what's going on. He's just telling me we're doing all this extra stuff that wasn't planned. So it was wild to do it, but he was a gentleman back then and he still is now. I love talking to Norman. He's super respectful, super knowledgeable. Anyone that gets to be in his class and learn just from his different experiences. I mean, Dean Malenko is the Man of 1,000 Holds,.I feel like Norman Smiley might know more than a thousand holds. He knows everything when he's in the ring. He is [The Big Wiggle], but he is also a phenomenal wrestler that knows every style. Japan, Mexico, [he] incorporates all of it and he could really help someone up their game if they want to learn like mapping wrestling and holds and that kind of thing."
Elsewhere in the interview, Stone talked about WWE EVOLVE and how WWE ID performers will need to give 110% when they're on the show. Check out his full comments by clicking here.
Fans can check out Fightful's full interview with Robert Stone in the video linked at the top of this article.
