NXT General Manager William Regal underwent neck surgery last Wednesday and posted a photo of the aftermath with this message:
“Look at the state of my luscious locks! Just so you here it from me,I had a c-3 through c-6 Laminectomy last Wednesday. I wanted to put it out there so no one can weave a more interesting tale. I’m slowly on the mend.I mean this in all sincerity that I’m not one for sympathy so please no need to tell me best wishes and the like.Its just part of the life I’ve choose and wouldn’t change a thing. No need to tell me you’re praying for me as it would be a wasted prayer.Save that for people who need real help if that’s you’re thing. The only thank you is from me to you for allowing me to entertain you for the last 32 years.”
As a follow up to his 2014 neck surgery, Regal underwent a CAT scan about 6 weeks weeks ago to check on his progress. Despite the fact that he has been feeling better than he has in a long time, Regal was told that he would not be medically cleared to return to action for NXT Takeover: London and a second surgery would be required. WWE’s medical director Dr. Joseph C. Maroon and his team performed the procedure on October 21st in Pittsburgh.
The day after the surgery, Regal spoke to WWE.com about the situation:
“I had a neck surgery last year and everything was very, very good, and I went in for a follow-up exam six weeks ago,” Regal said. “Luckily, we did the exam, because they found there was more damage in the back of the neck that needed to be taken care of as soon as possible. The last surgery I had, they went in through the front of my neck; this one’s in the back, so there’s a lot more work involved and a lot of healing in the muscle in the back of the neck.
It was my C3, C4, C5 and C6 [vertebrae]. I believe the operation is called a laminectomy, where they go in and completely clean out the calcium deposits from the back. Now that I’ve got this done, it’s just a matter of healing up and I’ll be good to go. Dr. Maroon, who is head of the WWE Wellness Program, performed the operation. He said I’ll be good to go for another 50,000 miles, or 50 years. Hopefully, that will cover me for the rest of my time on this Earth, anyway.”
Regal will be attending all of the shows on the NXT UK tour, but will be unable to travel with WWE to the UK in November due to his recovery.
