WWE SmackDown star was told to ‘smile more’ before NXT call-up

When it comes to being a babyface on WWE TV, it’s all about seeing those pearly whites, as per the latest request to the Superstars from WWE. 

Recently Bron Breakker revealed that he was told to smile more during his Raw debut last month, along with Ronda Rousey, who also received the same advice upon her WWE return.

Now, recent SmackDown acquisition Raquel Rodriguez has admitted during an appearance on Busted Open Radio that she was asked to smile instead of looking too intimating in her new role on the blue brand. 

When I first started at the PC, a lot of the coaches like Matt Bloom always got mad at me for constantly walking around the PC, no cameras, and we’re smiling. He’s like, ‘You have to learn how to stop smiling. You gotta stop smiling and be intimidating.’ I get so excited about being in this position because it’s something I always wanted, and I sacrificed and worked hard for. I can’t help but smile.

Coming up to SmackDown, I was fully ready not to smile and be this intimidating bad mother trucker and put that on-screen, but the thing they asked from me was to smile. At this point, I feel so comfortable doing both. I can talk to you, look at you, and smile and tell you how excited I am, but I definitely think that if you say anything that is against what I believe, I will bust through the screen and I will find you.

Raquel is a former NXT Women’s champion and two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion. She made her SmackDown debut the week after WrestleMania in a backstage segment with Los Lotharios. 

Big Mami Cool is yet to step into the ring on Friday nights, but recently had an interaction with Natalya and Shayna Baszler backstage on the blue brand, possibly kicking off her first programme on the main roster.