William Regal Speaks On Being Given 24 Hours To Live In 2019

William Regal has discussed how long-term health problems led to him being given just 24 hours to live in early 2019.

William Regal has never been shy about discussing the struggles he has faced both in and out of the ring during his career. During his first appearance on AEW Dynamite, the veteran referenced his past battle with addiction which could have cost him his life.

In the same promo, Regal also stated that he was “not long for this world,” a statement which led to concern from fans, given his well-documented heart problems.

Speaking to Chris Jericho on Talk is Jericho, William Regal detailed his most recent health issues. After saying he went home for Christmas in 2021, the former NXT General Manager explained that the last time his family had been together for the holiday was when he was hospitalised at the end of 2018, shortly after he was given just 24 hours to live.

“No, once I was released, I went home two weeks before Christmas. The reason being, which we might get to, the last time that my family were all together was 2018 for Christmas, and I was in hospital for eight weeks. I insisted, I was given one point 24 hours to live.

“I had sepsis in my leg, they were going to cut my leg off. This was January 4th 2019. So I insisted on going home for Christmas, you know I have been through a lot. I had a hell of a year in 2018, keep me on track here. 2018, I had a lot of heart trouble different times, they keep [returning].”

Regal went on to explain that his heart problems go back to 1998 when he was diagnosed with pericarditis.

“Since 1998 I got pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the sack around your heart. What it does is it scars that sack, your heart can beat but that sack can lock down. Although it didn’t look like I trained as hard as I did, I always did all the squats, always breathing and always taking bumps in wrestling, it kept that from going solid. There’s a skin around the heart.

“Well I went to India and I got really sick and I was off for a year, it came back a few months later and I got really sick.”

William Regal shocked the wrestling world when he debuted with AEW at Revolution on March 6th. While Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson were brawling in the ring after their match, he made his way to the ring unannounced to split the two apart and forced them to shake hands.

On the following episode of Dynamite, Regal acted as manager for the pair as they defeated The Workhorsemen.

H/T to Inside The Ropes for the above transcription.