William Regal News

As fallout continues from the recent William Regal suspension, WWE announcer Jim Ross has chimed in with his take it:

When I was in charge of the WWE talent roster a few years ago we sent Regal to drug rehab as he struggled to overcome his issues. Regal eventually became a success story as he cleaned himself up and got on with his life and career. In recent years, Regal has been a hard working, reliable and viable member of the talent roster.

As a talent perhaps even to the point of being under utilized in the eyes of some. I do not know the details of his recent 60 day suspension but I do not think that Regal has "fallen off the wagon" and retreated to his misdirected ways of years gone by.

Nonetheless, something went awry and the WWE Wellness Program, which is more thorough and organized than ever before, dropped the hammer on the talented Brit. With no pay for 60 days, two strikes against him and a family to care for, Regal finds himself in a challenging position.

Some weak minded individuals could "poor me" it and say to hell with it and revert back to those aforementioned issues, but, I do not think Regal fits into that category.

WWE issued the following this morning on WWE.com, making sense of last night's story line on WWE RAW:

World Wrestling Entertainment Suspends Performer

STAMFORD, Conn., May 20, 2008 - In accordance with its Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy, WWE has suspended Darren Matthews (William Regal) for 60 days for his second violation of the company’s policy

The length of the suspension indicates it is Regal's second Wellness Policy violation. He was "fired" last night on RAW after losing a match to Mr. Kennedy.

After winning King of the Ring on this week's WWE RAW, William Regal says he wants to be more involved as a wrestler.

"Of course I want to be involved more in a wrestling capacity, that’s why I’m in the shape I’m in," Regal told the UK Sun. “Next I want to be world champion, I really do."

He added:

"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’m always jumping all over Vince McMahon to let me wrestle more. He can’t stand the sight of me!"