William Regal Makes First Comments Since WWE Release
William Regal has given his first public comments since the news broke that the ring veteran had been released from his WWE contract.
William Regal first signed with WWE in 1998, but this early run wouldn’t last long as he left to go into rehab early in 1999.
He returned to the company in September 2000 and went on to become the WWF Commissioner for a time. The ‘Gentleman Villain’ was an active competitor in WWE all the way up until November 2013, when Cesaro defeated him on an episode of NXT in what he later confirmed was his last match.
Regal had a hugely successful in-ring career, becoming a multi-time Intercontinental, European, and Tag Team Champion as well as being crowned King of the Ring in 2008.
After retiring from the squared circle, Regal moved into a backstage role with NXT. He returned to TV as the beloved General Manager of the black and gold brand. Behind the scenes, he was the head scout for the company under the title Director of Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider first broke the news on January 5th that Regal was one of many NXT personnel to be released from their WWE contracts, with Road Dogg and Samoa Joe also being among those let go.
Posting on Twitter, William Regal thanked WWE for a “wonderful 21 year run”.
Thank you to @WWE for a wonderful 21 year run. You gave a lad who was happy and in wonderland wrestling on a carnival have a charmed life for 21 years. No complaints and please no one waste time replying as I won’t have a bad work said against the company.x
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) January 8, 2022
In a follow-up message, he added that WWE saved his life in 1999 and that he will be forever grateful to them.
I will add that @WWE saved my life in 1999 when they didn’t need to, kept my family fed and took me all around the world. You have my gratitude forever. You allowed me to live a charmed life.
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) January 8, 2022
During the latest round of budget cuts, WWE released many backstage figures from NXT. As well as big names like Regal and Samoa Joe, the cuts included producers and writers for the developmental brand.