The Downfall of STEVE AUSTIN's Forgotten Mentor | WCW Starrcade '90 - Wrestle Me Review

Hear the FULL EPISODE AND MANY MORE at / wrestleme
Marc & Pete discuss the downward spiral of the lost British legend Chris Adams, before taking in some cheerier tales featuring Konnan, Rey Misterio Snr., and "Black Magic" Norman Smiley as they review their tag-team clash at WCW STARRCADE 1990.
Hosted by Marc Haynes & Pete Donaldson; Edited by BanyaBat
/ wrestleme
/ wrestlemepod
stak.london/sh...
Follow Marc Haynes at: / marchaynes
Follow Pete Donaldson at: / petedonaldson
*******
wrestling, wwe, wwf, wcw, vince mcmahon, wrestle me, podcast, review, commentary, tnt, lord alfred hayes, raw, monday night wars, world championship wrestling, world wrestling entertainment, world wrestling federation, 90s, undertaker, paul bearer, wrestlemania, hogan, hulk, hulk hogan, 1986, roddy piper, hulkamania, jesse ventura, shoot match, shoot, wrestling shoot, rick rude, mark starr, ravishing rick rude, wcw champion, secret, secret shoot, 90's wrestling, 80's wrestling, summerslam, summerslam 88, summerslam 1988, gorilla monsoon, superstar billy graham, dynamite kid, british bulldogs, davey boy smith, rougeaus, jacques rougeau, ray rougeau, ken patera, fast food, mcdonalds, wcw starrcade, starrcade 1990, starrcade 90, collision course, sam muchnick, nwa, wrestling territories, national wrestling alliance, dick the bruiser, green bay packers, dick afflis, paul heyman, paul e dangerously, jim ross, lex luger, stan hansen, stan the lariat hansen, antonio inoki, giant baba, bruiser brody, japan, steiner brothers, steiner bros, stiener brothers, steiners, rick steiner, scott steiner, alexandra york, michael wallstreet, missy hyatt, great muta, mr saito, rip morgan, jack victory, colonel deklerk, sergeant krueger, sgt slaughter, pat o' connor tournament, chris adams, uswa, stunning steve austin, stone cold steve austin, jeannie clark, norman smiley, black magic, screaming norman smiley, screamin' norman smiley, konna, rey mysterio, rey misterio sr, rey misterio snr

[@GilesHellier]

I remember Enzo Amore saying that he would turn up for training extra early (5/6 in the morning), and this was only possible because Norman Smiley would also come in extra early specifically to unlock the doors for Enzo. Say what you want about Enzo, but I've always remembered that anecdote for what a sweet guy Norman sounds like.

[@Charleshudspeth]

In the late 80's I was a 10 year old kid in Dallas. My Neighbor went to Chis Adams school of wrestling and he would take me with them. I became the "water boy" for the class. There was maybe 8 people being trained wnd Steve Williams (later Stunning Steve Austin) was by far the stand out. Chris was always very kind to me and he kind of popped each time one of the actual stars would come to the class and he see my face at meeting the Von Erichs, Kubuki, He thought it was hilarious that I was scared of Abdullah the Butcher until he cornered me and introduced himself to me as Abbie. We woukd give Ice Man King Parsons rides to the Sportatorium. I was just living my dream childhood hanging out with these Gods to me. I was grown by the time Chris died. I was just shattered when I heard he was killed. Just broken over each death of the Von Erichs and Gino and Chris. Gordy. Juwt all my heroes being taken 1 by 1. I couldn't wven watch wrestling from about the time Chris was killed until just recently.

[@TruculentSheep]

One of the wonderful things about pro-wrestling is how full it is of oral history and personal stories. But then there are the many tragedies too, which casts a pall.

[@jaimel.7795]

I used to love watching World Class Championship Wrestling as a kid. So sad how all these talented wrestlers passed. Chris Adam's was one of my favorites . Loved his Super Kick !

[@georgeh4171]

Great story! Thank you for sharing! What was a young Stone Cold Steve Austin like? You should write down all these memories and publish them online somewhere.

[@RexMundi_UTC]

When it comes to UK Wrestling history this is by far the best channel on KZbin. Well done fellas.

[@richardpreston7333]

This episode was a rollercoaster of emotions - from Chris Adams' tragic life to Norman Smiley being the sweetest guy

[@TheDogFacedGamer]

The Sheamus joke had me cackling at my desk on a Monday morning. Thank you for that!

[@keironhiggspoet]

Norman Smiley is ace. i always liked his more comedic edge he bought to the squared circle. watching him as black magic in Mexico he was a very serious guy, which i guess cements the stories of him been nails. Chris Adams did face Regal at some point in WCW. i can imagine stiffing each other for comeuppance and all

[@alexandersilady4751]

Norman Smiley always got a laugh out of me during his WCW hardcore division run. Cool to see a retrospective of his career and also to learn that he's seemingly a lovely person and also knocked out the very scary Rick Steiner.

[@orllyfools14X8]

I had no clue Norman Smiley was British. That’s crazy. He was one of my favorite wrestlers. That hardcore run was hilarious.

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

Norman Smiley is my favorite comedy mid-carder ever.

[@GenXrecluse]

I remember reading about Adams in the dirt sheets, I was a WWF kid, so when I would see him I always thought he was a poor man's Bulldog.

[@WrestleMe]

Exactly this! The tattier wrestling magazines would always push Adams around 1990 (as they could get access to him) and it gave him an (unfair) air of being a Davey Boy knock-off. Totally forgot until you mentioned it

[@billbird6494]

@@WrestleMe Adams got picked up by the nwa in 1987 but walked out over money, if only he had just sucked it up and stayed, it could have turned out very differently for him. Please do a Johnny Smith episode in the future or the very obscure - Checkmate from world class.

[@fattiger6957]

Was Norman Smiley immortal or something? He looks exactly the same here as he did 10 years later in WCW.

[@MikeHoczbig]

Black don’t crack

[@manontheedge4179]

Semen is good for the skin apparently.

[@chrisjones2788]

It’s all that wiggling of course! Keeps you alive for centuries

[@liveitdown]

​@@MikeHoczbigwas gonna say that!

[@L_Train]

​@@liveitdownme too

[@set1237]

As good as the humour on this channel can be, I think it actually handles the somber stuff pretty well.

[@MadisonCarter]

Living in Texas, Adams was a constant presence in "my" wrestling world - not just the World Class and UWF runs, but was on some of the first live shows I attended in 1986 with Texas All-Star Wrestling (and then later attending his Super Stars of Wrestling indy shows in the late '90s). Moving to Dallas, I would actually meet Chris and Boo when they signed up for memberships at the video store I managed at the time. We talked a little after that, but within a year, the shooting occurred. Extremely troubled man, for sure. So much potential wasted over and over.

[@rogermorris9696]

Norman Smiley must have some kind backstage rep. Necro Butcher was working him in Battle Royale for JCP, there was some kind screw up, and he admitted he was scared were going to have a problem in the back.

[@matthewsmith6051]

I never even realised that Neil Adams - who I used to watch on Superstars as a kid - was Chris' brother. Bloody hell.

[@jamestakacs]

A number of people have said that when Chris Adams drank he was a monster. So sad. When Chris was with World Class he was a star. I loved World Class. Terrific talent worked there.

[@jamesblevins5088]

YESSSS! This is my favorite KZbin channel! I love seeing new stuff from you guys. Keep up the good work.

[@johnpenguinthe3rd13]

You know, I've been a wrestling fan for decades and this is only the SECOND time I've seen footage of Rey Mysterio Senior (the only other time I've seen him wrestle was in XPW of all places. I can't mention the name of the XPW PPV since KZbin will probably think I'm cursing someone out, LMAO, but it's the XPW PPV from July 2000 with Sabu vs Terry Funk in the main event. Rey Mysterio Senior was in a six man tag match). Anyway, I'm mainly familiar with Norman Smiley from WCW 2000 (the hardcore division) and it's really cool to see him in early WCW (the PRE-Big Wiggle years. LMAO). Anyway, I remember Chris Adams from several WCW Saturday Night matches. I thought he was cool. Damn shame to see what happened to him.

[@thenextsteveblackman]

I'm glad Norman Smiley got fame and a gimmick he could make a living off for the rest of his life, but that hardcore run really undersold what he was capable of. He was such a crisp technical wrestler with one of the best bodyslams in the business. He was also one of those guys who was crazy strong despite not looking it, a'la Claudio and Eric Young.

[@KalmoK]

Claudio... What? Dude is tall af and also more muscular than pretty much most of wrestlers today... 😂

[@bigenglish22]

At the end of the last video , although I wanted to know who both the British guys were it was surely a two minute segment at best. Now I want the 2025 Oscars to close with Norman Smiley´s honorary Academy Award in recognition of his 2024 Wrestlemania WWE championship handicap win over the Rock and Roman Reigns

[@PedroBenolielBonito]

6:00 the cognitive shift of hearing the most Texan man in existence and the most Essex woman in existence in quick succession is nothing short of jarring.

[@micahleeleventhal4267]

🎉

[@Thor-Orion]

14:20 the picture of Ed Sheeran as Seamus is hilarious.

[@censorshipsucks9493]

I remember that besides the Freebirds, the main antagonists of the Von Erichs were Chris Adams, and the Handsome Halfbreed Gino Hernandez.

[@richiehunt5097]

Grew up watching him in World Class. Man, he was so fricking good. My friend Rob and I were the only ones in our area watching World Class (we were in WWF territory) After WCCW collapsed we didn't know of his legal troubles and were wondering why he hadn't signed elsewhere. We would literally call each other if we saw him doing a spot match on WCW Worldwide or a show like that because he was so good in World Class.

[@zemox2534]

I have been interested in learning more about Norman Smiley, and now, thanks to you, I have gained a better understanding and appreciation for the man and his work in and outside the ring. Thanks you. And what happened to Chris Adams was very heart breaking. May he RIP

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Adams could really throw a vicious Savate/Superkick when he wanted to . He popularized that move . I would love to hear what he would say about The Young Bucks overusing the move . Unfortunately that wont happen . I remember watching Chris in World Class and all over the world , and I never would have guessed he would be so violent in real life . But I was a kid then .

[@GamerForLifeDrakunia]

You 2 nailed it once again. :)

[@Rocketboy1313]

This was fascinating. Excellent research, excellent presentation. Gold star.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Steve Williams - it was your boy Dutch Mantell that named him Steve Austin

[@sportsjefe]

Because there was a much more famous Steve Williams in wrestling.

[@sheppygawdog1954]

@@sportsjefe Also Steve Austin was the name of the Six Million Dollar man, so it was a RIB.

[@SpiritSoaring13]

None of the above is correct. Read Steve's book and stop making shit up. Embarrassing.

[@sheppygawdog1954]

@@SpiritSoaring13 All the above is on Dutch Mantells Channel chode. Use your grimey lil fingers to type in. "Dutch Mantel Named Steve Austin" and clicky on the thumnail on Dutch's Channel.

[@jackiehopson8334]

Boys in the 80s when Chris would step into that ring at the Sportatorium it was always like a wrestlemania event. Skandar Akbar passing people off and here comes the hero! The freaks and geeks would pop like cereal!

[@saintrocketIX]

The Darkplace clip is perfect.

[@neilsun2521]

'Look out, he's got a stick'

[@ifgwelf]

As a kid watching WCW in the 90s I took an irrational dislike to Norman Smiley. Now looking back I find him hilarious and a great in ring worker

[@cdmit27]

We did the Big Wiggle in high school 😂😂

[@ifgwelf]

​​@@cdmit27 I think I didn't like him cause he had athletic shoes on instead of wrestling boots. The weird things that bug you as a kid lmao

[@lanternsown3525]

I didn't Chris Adams had a Brother in the Olympics I knew he trained Steve Austin and pioneered the use of the Superkick in wrestling.

[@MeltWithU]

When I was debating which wrestling school to go to back in 1990, one of the ones that I looked at was Chris Adams Wrestling school. I talked to him on the phone and he was very nice. I didn’t end up going to the school, which I wish I would have. Either his or Shawn Michaels, which came just a little bit later. Simply because, the school I went to was a sham. I paid $3500 to never be trained by anybody but students and an occasional pro who would stop by to use the gym every once in a while. Was only ever offered one Match and I did some commentary also. Not to mention, had no contacts or any knowledge of how to get booked. I was lucky enough to come across people who helped me, so my Wrestling training essentially happened in the ring during matches. Which is actually the best way to learn anyways. I already knew before I went to Wrestling school, how to take bumps and go through the motions. As, my friends and I during lunch at school would always go to the gym with the wrestling mats and perform our own version of WWE. My friend, who I did that with, is the one that introduced me to the school that I went to. Unfortunately, the owner of that school was like many wrestling promoters. Took your money and essentially left you to fend for yourself. I will say, the good thing is… My first match took place at the Hamburg Fieldhouse. Which was where WWE taped a lot of its shows. Including when Snuka got hit on the head with the coconut from Roddy Piper. My Match was also on sports channel, along with some commentary that I did. I did some other stuff after that, but never really got to where I wanted to be. Which of course, was WWE. In a way, I’m glad I didn’t.… My neck and back were bad when I was a kid. I was in a bad accident when I was a year old and when I was 17, so that continuous abuse to my neck and back with Wrestling over a bunch of years would have probably put me in a lot more pain than I’m already in. I watched Chris wrestle in WCCW back in the day. I was always a fan. I wish he could’ve gotten the WWE Spotlight he deserved. As I think he would’ve done really well as a Babyface there.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

I will throw in money for The Black Magic/Norman Smiley photo book with you guys !!! That would be incredible to see I bet !!!

[@Brando-Lee3725]

This Starrcade 90 vid/vids is dragging on a bit but im loving every second of it ! Thanks guys

[@AlbertonBeastmaster]

The original and still the best superkick.

[@doublelxp]

The best part about Chris Adams' no sell of Misterio's dive is the look on Norman Smiley's face

[@stephenberry7876]

I'm from Northampton we have the oddest grouping of famous folks who came from there. Norman was always one of my favourites

[@Kaltagstar96]

I don't really have a lot to say about Adams apart from the fact that he seems like an absolute piece of shit even by territory wrestling in the 1980s standards, But I'm also so fucking glad that Norman Smiley got his flowers; because he's not only someone who could tie you in knots but he was great at doing the comedy stuff without it being forced; but even in his mid 50s, the dude still looks like he could kick your ass if you pushed your luck with him.

[@sklba632]

So is Norman Smiley like Les Kellet where he had such skill it allowed him to play something he wasn't, exceptionally well.

[@SingledOutPodcast]

Bonus points for including a scene from garth marengi’s dark place

[@trunter20]

I thought that was Jim Bowen at the end 😂

[@joelandobutterfield5837]

Loved Screamin Norman Smiley and the Big Wiggle,he was such a good watch.

[@andreasschneider1401]

Didn‘t know that Sheamus is also Ed Sheeran!😂😂😂😂

[@ryanjessen9181]

Wtf

[@iandavison8252]

I remember watching, on Screensport well back in the day, a barbed wire match between Austin and Adams from World Class/USWA (can't remember which), and having to turn off after a couple of minutes of Adams forward rolling towards Austin, Austin rolling out of the ring and catching his back on the barbed wire 3 times. Worked razor cuts are one thing, watching flesh caught on barbs was too much for my younger mind

[@verigone2677]

Its usually the slightly smaller guys you gotta worry about in the locker room. They are there for a reason, and if they get even a modicum of pop or heat you can bet your ass they are "respected" in the locker room...think about the things that get you respect from a bunch of weight lifter stunt men?

[@thelostviking9998]

I damn near spit coffee all over my tablet when you mentioned Sheamus but showed Ed. Lmfao

[@reaver4149]

'i trust him with my life' says the man who shot him because he thought he was going to kill him...

[@tigermax2697]

I demand access to the Smiley photographic archive

[@InfinityOf6]

6:40 he's waving the union jack upside down LOL whoops!

[@HowardBobson]

Oh man, Chris the gentleman Adams, the lapsed fan’s WCCW paints a vivid picture of this chap

[@johansmallberries9874]

I literally can’t tell the difference between Toni and Jeanie. It’s the same woman

[@savagecatgt]

Debra and Jeannie too lol

[@Simonbacktotheretro]

Wow... dark side of the ring seems a lot lighter now!

[@spudgunn8695]

Neil Adams was one of my Judo instructors for 6 months when I was 8 or 9 years old in 1979. He was a nice bloke. Never met Chris though.

[@rizeorfall]

You folks are doing good things. Keep doing it ❤

[@MR-in8bl]

9:29 look at the acne all across Konan's back, holy shit. Hes clearly juiced to the gills and u can tell he wasn't naturally a big guy, kind of like Chris Benoit and Eddy Guerrero.

[@dazpearce2096]

9 mins in...that was the British 'say your prayers, eat your vitamins' if I've ever seen it!! Great content and thanks.

[@mboyd92]

I always felt sad for Norman smiley as a kid lol people always wooped his ass on nitro and he was so happy looking

[@MxMoondoggie]

It's crazy how legendary Norman Smiley is in Mexico. It's the same as Vampiro who is remembered for his WCW run of cheesy matches against Sting but him and Black Magic were the two megastars from overseas in the 90's. Jericho spoke a lot about them since he also had a long run in Mexico at the time they were at their peak and they couldn't go anywhere without somebody recognising Black Magic.

[@greghill00]

Your channel is so much more compelling when you give deep, meaningful insights into UK wrestling and wrestlers like this rather than the juvenile jibes at people's personal appearance, etc.

[@partymarty5207]

Hell yeah I love some WCCW wrestlers! Gino Hernandez is my favorite territory wrestlers are Gino Hernandez and Adrian Street.

[@DigitalTimothyski]

People have their own list of guys who should have had at least one run as champ and not nearly enough of them have Norman Smiley on those lists.

[@MyBestPalJimbo]

Man, I always loved Norman Smiley. It might seem weird that they had gimmicks like Screamin' Norman Smiley and Disco Inferno but that shit really hit at that age. Like, That 70's Show was huge, bellbottom jeans were popular again in USA among the youth. Disco Inferno was COOL to kids of that specific age. I don't know if Norman Smiley was cool in the same way, but I always thought he was. Sure, he was scared of weapons, but he still fought and he was likable! Glad to hear he is widely known as a nice dude.

[@wbcwinnipegbeltcollector]

I have to say for you to bring up Norman Smiley of all days today was the day I moved for the first time and settling into my new place, sadly had to leave my dog at home Wiggles.....who when she would want out and dance I called her "The big wiggle" lol or "norman" to many people's confusion 🤣🤣🤣

[@gbody2617]

Adams and HBK would've been a great old school feud. Back then, Adams would've been given the push and Michaels would've given him high creditability as an up and comer for the world championship.

[@WrestleMe]

And Michaels nicked the super kick off Adams!

[@stevenrose86]

Lovely little Dark Place clip

[@patrickmcgavin2245]

I don't feel bad, it sounds like Chris was a real dirt bag. In my opinion he got what he deserved.

[@robertbenton1367]

Every time the outro music starts, I think KZbin has started playing an episode of Rescue Rangers..

[@brandonc2859]

I'd trust him with my life but I Shot him dead because I feared for my life

[@Jesusisafriendofmine]

At elder at my church grew up with him and his brother, best mates. He's told me loads about Chris's life and career, it's mad how overlooked he is.

[@MR-in8bl]

4:33 I have never seen a bottom rope splash 😂. I get Kevin Von Erich had the no boots gimmick for wtvr reason and he was always around the ropes sticking to them like Spider-Man but a bottom rope splash? From a ripped but not big guy just seems so odd.

[@everett-tnredsfan]

Where was that clip of Edge in tne cockpit from?😊

[@pmc8451]

Money Plane!

[@peterq1978]

yea, Smiley and his big Wiggle!!! llove Screaming Norman Smiley!! who dont

[@Brando-Lee3725]

If your name is Boo Ray , you cant argue with his testimony . He is a good ol boy and that stands in court . Im kidding . But in all seriousness , that's a tragic moment for him . What else could he have done against a guy like Chis Adams out of his mind ? He had to do it to save his own life .

[@joeriveracomedy]

I almost did the big wiggle at an 09 wedding in fresno. So yeah, one of my favorites. Also, konan isn't mexican.

[@andxx0r_the_second671]

9:29 - that is some hectic 'roid backne.

[@Bellthorian]

I loved Screaming Norman Smiley.

[@blitheringrando1410]

I loved Norman Smiley, I still bring him up. One of my all time favorites.

[@maxtracker2904]

I was amazed at your budget getting Edge to reenact that plane anecdote for you! I guess he IS a free agent now… 🤔

[@rockasaurus1]

Big Norman Smiley fan. In my boys stable from day one!

[@markula_4040]

I know who Chris Adams is beyond just being the guy who trained Steve Austin but I didn't know he was dead or that he was such a bad drunk. Also your math seems off. Norman was born in 1965 making him 58 (unless the audio is 3 years old) and wasn't 25 or even 20 years old yet when Wrestlemania 1 happened.

[@rayvenkman2087]

The Visual Life of a Pro Wrestler by Norman ‘Black Magic’ Smiley by Fantagraphics.

[@indianastones6032]

Im from Northampton and never heard that Norman Smilie was English let alone from Northampton!

[@shawnhensley4884]

Norman Smiley and Mikey Whipwreck had an awesome match against Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit in ECW. Norman's a helluva worker.

[@tomdent7706]

Moss after Jeannie Clark's promo made me giggle in a way a man ought only do in private

[@junghunt8645]

The Dean Learner clip was incredible. Hahahahaha.

[@thomaswilson1016]

A lot of wrestling history and legacy in that ring!

[@senecaknowledge2274]

I could listen to you two all day

[@marklayne1781]

I bet Shawn Michaels got that kick from Chris Adams.

[@jordcarter2359]

Had no idea Norman Smiley was a Brit!

[@daschwah]

Damn. K-Dawg’s bacne is an attraction unto itself in that match.

[@PtolemyJones]

Who was that in the pool talking about the hotel clerk? What Polish movie was that with the car driving thru the air?

[@JamesMMcCann]

Never heard the Rick Steiner story before.

[@georgesouthwick7000]

I wasn’t aware that Chris Adams had any friends.

[@willyoung4533]

14:18 😂😂😂 Sheamus

[@stephenberry7876]

Boy oh boy Sam mushnic can do a promo

[@jessecrawford3897]

Norman Smiley knocked out Rick Steiner with a single punch??? People say the Steiners were not to be messed with but there’s this 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@joelandobutterfield5837]

The Steiners punked allot of people but they couldn't punk the melanated one's.Ron Simmons,Butch Reed,Norman Smiley,Meng,JYD etc.

[@jessecrawford3897]

@@joelandobutterfield5837 couldn’t punk the melanated ones? Are you afraid to say the black folk or something?? It’s not a big deal if you do bud 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@samthemac17]

Not gonna lie, that Ed Sheeran picture caught me really off guard. 😂

[@richardcovington6976]

One of the greatest "what ifs" ever. His style was very smooth and silky. Very similar to Bret Hart.

[@airfixx_8952]

Sam Muchnick? ...Or Bo Selectah's Mel B?