11 Wrestling Legends Who Became WWE NXT Trainers

One-time WCW jobber Norman Smiley is one of the longest serving WWE coaches around, having first joined the company in the capacity of trainer way back in 2007.

In fact, he was part of NXT before it became NXT, and back when it was just Florida Championship Wrestling - so if anyone on this list deserves part of the credit for turning what was once a nondescript developmental territory into a viable third WWE brand, it's him.

You wouldn't have guessed it, though, from his spell underneath the bright lights. Smiley was definitely one of the best known WCW under-carders - thanks, in large part, to some spectacular dance moves - but he retired in 2008 with little to show for his 20-plus years in the ring.

In his second career, it seems he's finally getting the credit he deserves.