WWE Told Current Wrestler To "Smile More"

Vince McMahon wanted an "over-exaggerated" version of this WWE star's real personality.

Rey Dominik Mysterio
WWE.com

Ever wondered why "little" Dominik Mysterio was such a smily character when he first started teaming with his dad Rey a few years back? It's simple: WWE chiefs told him to "smile more", because they thought he had a really marketable grin that'd help him get over a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed babyface.

Almost hilariously, Rey would often strike a harder pose for the camera during promo shoots involving the father/son duo. So, as seen above, you'd have the contrast of "mean" Mysterio and his goofy, smiling son. That, as Dominik explained to Konnan on 'Keepin It 100", wasn't always something Dom was super-comfortable with.

He fancied toning down the smiles and being a less "over-exaggerated" character. Vince McMahon didn't like that though - he instructed Mysterio to smile, smile, smile (and then smile some more) every single time he was in front of company cams.

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There was another reason why Dominik found this deceptively difficult. He'd actually learned to wrestle as a heel during training drills/matches, so constantly grinning like the Cheshire Cat was at odds with the style he'd been working when readying for a WWE run.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.