Post by ztj_wwf on Apr 25, 2008 13:50:01 GMT -5
FOR years William Regal has been Britain’s best and most famous wrestler.
The Blackpool born bone bender has wowed crowds around the world, especially in the WWE.
But with his 40th birthday around the corner, and with a permanent role as Raw’s general manager, many believed Regal’s grappling days were behind him.
Then this week he won King Of The Ring – beating rising star CM Punk in the final – and suddenly everyone is talking about our man’s wrestling abilities again.
And that’s exactly what William desires most.
In a world exclusive interview, the WWE’s new king told The Sun: “Of course I want to be involved more in a wrestling capacity, that’s why I’m in the shape I’m in.
“Next I want to be world champion, I really do.
“Being general manager is a great spot – as it means I’m on the show – but I’m not ready to take a back seat.
“I wrestle on house shows all the time, and on TV I’ve had some decent outings, but now I’ve got the chance I’m going to be all over it.
“I’ve been told that since I’ve got away from the Carry On character that I used to be, and become a lot more serious, I’m going to start interjecting myself into top programmes.
“What they’ll be I don’t know, but I’ve been told I’m ready for it.”
With a smile, Regal adds: “I’m always jumping all over Vince McMahon to let me wrestle more. He can’t stand the sight of me!
“But you’ve got to. I’m 40 in a few weeks and I feel like I’m better in the ring, and more on my game, than I’ve ever been.
“I don’t want to be remembered for pulling funny faces, I want people to get a chance to see me wrestle the top fellas and have some big time matches.”
The one opponent who has defined William’s career more than anyone else is Chris Benoit – with most fans and experts ranking their matches as Regal’s best ever.
The two were also close outside the ring and William was left shocked and saddened when Chris murdered his wife and young child before committing suicide last June.
And now, looking back, the former intercontinental champion admits he also had fears for his own spot in the WWE.
He told us: “It was a really weird time for me, because the only time that I got to show off the kind of wrestling I was capable of was against him.
“And all of sudden it was like ‘that’s it’.
“It is selfish, after all the horrible stuff that happened, but that was a big part of my career gone. I couldn’t go out and do those matches anymore.
“Then again I put my name on YouTube the other day and there must be 10 of my matches against Benoit on there.
“So people are obviously watching them again. They’ve forgotten all about those horrific things and have gone back to watching the actual wrestling.”
And his wrestling is something Regal, despite being renowned as one of the best in the world, is still working on – taking tips from recently retired legend Ric Flair.
He revealed: “I was talking to Ric a while back and he said: ‘Do what you’re doing now as far as the brawling and the aggressive stuff, but still put in your bits of wrestling.’
“I know he’s always been a fan of mine and I was honoured that he picked me to have his last match in Japan with, at the Boudakon.
“I got really choked up before the bell went, when he said: ‘There’s nobody I’d rather be doing this with than you.’”
William is definitely looking better, and sounding more positive, than ever.
But even if he fulfils his goal of being world champion, he knows that like Flair he’ll have to hang up his trunks one day.
And when he does, the Brit has a plan.
He told us: “I would love the job going around and spotting new talent.
“I do have an eye for it and I’ve shown that over the years.
“The first time I met Triple H, Steve Austin and Cactus Jack I knew they had something – even though a lot of other people didn’t see it.”
And who does Regal rate right now?
“MVP is someone I spotted right away,” he proudly states. “He’s only going to get better and better.
“CM Punk has a character that people truly love, Fergal Devitt in New Japan will be something extra special and Bryan Danielson, as my little protégée, goes without saying.”
But the grappler William raves about most is fellow Brit, and current Ring Of Honor champion, Nigel McGuiness.
He said: “Nigel once asked me for my advice and I said: ‘Go back to England and learn that style.’
“He did and now he’s incredibly good.
“I’ve tried to get him into the WWE, I’ve given his stuff to everybody, and I can’t see why they wouldn’t take him.
“If I ever got the chance to do something with Nigel - that would be pretty impressive.”
Everyone in Britain would agree with that statement – especially if it was for the WWE championship.
And preferably before Regal turns 41.
The Blackpool born bone bender has wowed crowds around the world, especially in the WWE.
But with his 40th birthday around the corner, and with a permanent role as Raw’s general manager, many believed Regal’s grappling days were behind him.
Then this week he won King Of The Ring – beating rising star CM Punk in the final – and suddenly everyone is talking about our man’s wrestling abilities again.
And that’s exactly what William desires most.
In a world exclusive interview, the WWE’s new king told The Sun: “Of course I want to be involved more in a wrestling capacity, that’s why I’m in the shape I’m in.
“Next I want to be world champion, I really do.
“Being general manager is a great spot – as it means I’m on the show – but I’m not ready to take a back seat.
“I wrestle on house shows all the time, and on TV I’ve had some decent outings, but now I’ve got the chance I’m going to be all over it.
“I’ve been told that since I’ve got away from the Carry On character that I used to be, and become a lot more serious, I’m going to start interjecting myself into top programmes.
“What they’ll be I don’t know, but I’ve been told I’m ready for it.”
With a smile, Regal adds: “I’m always jumping all over Vince McMahon to let me wrestle more. He can’t stand the sight of me!
“But you’ve got to. I’m 40 in a few weeks and I feel like I’m better in the ring, and more on my game, than I’ve ever been.
“I don’t want to be remembered for pulling funny faces, I want people to get a chance to see me wrestle the top fellas and have some big time matches.”
The one opponent who has defined William’s career more than anyone else is Chris Benoit – with most fans and experts ranking their matches as Regal’s best ever.
The two were also close outside the ring and William was left shocked and saddened when Chris murdered his wife and young child before committing suicide last June.
And now, looking back, the former intercontinental champion admits he also had fears for his own spot in the WWE.
He told us: “It was a really weird time for me, because the only time that I got to show off the kind of wrestling I was capable of was against him.
“And all of sudden it was like ‘that’s it’.
“It is selfish, after all the horrible stuff that happened, but that was a big part of my career gone. I couldn’t go out and do those matches anymore.
“Then again I put my name on YouTube the other day and there must be 10 of my matches against Benoit on there.
“So people are obviously watching them again. They’ve forgotten all about those horrific things and have gone back to watching the actual wrestling.”
And his wrestling is something Regal, despite being renowned as one of the best in the world, is still working on – taking tips from recently retired legend Ric Flair.
He revealed: “I was talking to Ric a while back and he said: ‘Do what you’re doing now as far as the brawling and the aggressive stuff, but still put in your bits of wrestling.’
“I know he’s always been a fan of mine and I was honoured that he picked me to have his last match in Japan with, at the Boudakon.
“I got really choked up before the bell went, when he said: ‘There’s nobody I’d rather be doing this with than you.’”
William is definitely looking better, and sounding more positive, than ever.
But even if he fulfils his goal of being world champion, he knows that like Flair he’ll have to hang up his trunks one day.
And when he does, the Brit has a plan.
He told us: “I would love the job going around and spotting new talent.
“I do have an eye for it and I’ve shown that over the years.
“The first time I met Triple H, Steve Austin and Cactus Jack I knew they had something – even though a lot of other people didn’t see it.”
And who does Regal rate right now?
“MVP is someone I spotted right away,” he proudly states. “He’s only going to get better and better.
“CM Punk has a character that people truly love, Fergal Devitt in New Japan will be something extra special and Bryan Danielson, as my little protégée, goes without saying.”
But the grappler William raves about most is fellow Brit, and current Ring Of Honor champion, Nigel McGuiness.
He said: “Nigel once asked me for my advice and I said: ‘Go back to England and learn that style.’
“He did and now he’s incredibly good.
“I’ve tried to get him into the WWE, I’ve given his stuff to everybody, and I can’t see why they wouldn’t take him.
“If I ever got the chance to do something with Nigel - that would be pretty impressive.”
Everyone in Britain would agree with that statement – especially if it was for the WWE championship.
And preferably before Regal turns 41.
