Posts Tagged ‘William Regal’

William Regal On Being NXT General Manager, If The Role Still Works

William Regal has opened up about his role as NXT’s General Manager during an interview with Sportskeeda. He explained why he doesn’t consider the job a “role” compared to the previous times he’s played a General Manager on-screen. In real life, Regal is the Director of Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting.

“For me, it’s not really a role because it’s what I do – which makes it very different than whenever I’ve done this role before,” he said. “Although it’s not exactly what I do, it is in a lot of ways, if that makes any sense. It’s the first time that has probably been… When I played that role anyway, where I am actually a big part of that and, fortunately for me that I am.

William Regal’s Request

William Regal explained how, when he was first asked to assume the role, his one request was to not be put on camera. He noted how he doesn’t need to be on camera “unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“This isn’t about me, it’s about the talent, and everyone that works in NXT, that’s what we think. It’s about the talent but you do need the odd person.”

When it comes to the role of General Manager, Regal believes there is still a place for that kind of character in today’s modern landscape. He noted how, if done right, it can still be “very valuable.”

William Regal Talks His Relationship With Triple H

William Regal is currently the on-screen commissioner of NXT. It’s a role the 51-year-old has played since 2014. Regal also holds the title of WWE’s Director of Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting. He was interviewed by Inside the Ropes recently about his relationship with WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Triple H.

“The first day I ever met him, I saw a like-minded soul who was a year younger than me,” Regal said of meeting Triple H.

“He went on to do what he did but we’ve always got this kind of bond that we work well together,” Regal continued.

Regal then told the story of when Regal and Triple H were working together in WCW early in Triple H’s career. The two were admiring how they looked in their robes when Arn Anderson pointed out that they both have large noses.

“We’re looking at each other and Arn Anderson walks behind us and in his way went ‘you two look like a pair of woodpeckers,” Regal said.

Regal continued to say that he and Triple H bonded over music as well when they used to travel together.

“We used to travel together and a thing we bonded over as well was metal music,” Regal continued.

He also mentioned that he and Triple H don’t talk much.

“I’m the last person he ever needs to talk to if that makes any sense because we sort of have this thing that we can communicate without talking,” Regal continued.

The video from Inside the Ropes can be viewed in the player below:

William Regal Reveals He Had Open Heart Surgery

The storyline General Manager of NXT, William Regal, took to Twitter recently to reveal that he had open-heart surgery last year. Regal posted the following to Twitter yesterday:

Regal’s longtime rival Fit Finlay then joked about Regal being similar to the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz:

William Regal Scouting Talent From NXT UK

Regal also mentioned on Twitter recently that he was keeping an eye on the talent from NXT UK. He noted that he and NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint met recently as well when Regal was in England.

“A great weekend at @NXTUK seeing GM @JohnnySaintWWE . I’m keeping close connections as the competitors are incredible and always on the ponce for @NXT . Good bye England. Now @WWENXT on USA on Wednesday. Lovely,” Regal Tweeted.

William Regal Championship Statistics

Regal won several championships during his time with both WCW and WWE.

  • 4x WCW TV Champion
  • 5x WWF Hardcore Champion
  • 2x WWE Intercontinental Champion
  • 4x WWE Tag Team Champion (2x w/Lance Storm, 1x w/Eugene, 1x w/Tajiri)
  • 2008 King of the Ring Winner
  • 1x MCW Southern Heavyweight Champion

William Regal Books Rematch Between Killian Dain And Matt Riddle For Next Week, Winner Faces Adam Cole

WWE’s NXT premiere on USA Network ended in a brawl between members of the NXT locker room. This occurred after the Street Fight between Kilian Dain and Matt Riddle spilled out of the ring. They fought into the backstage area before eventually finding themselves back in the ring, surrounded by their fellow Superstars.

After the cameras cut on the WWE Network, NXT General Manager William Regal stormed to the ring. He then set a rematch for next week’s episode. Their rematch, which will also be a Street Fight, comes with an added caveat: the winner will face Adam Cole for the NXT Championship.

Regal got into Killian’s face saying, “This Street Fight will continue next week on USA, and I’m going to give you both some incentive because the winner will face Adam Cole in an NXT Championship match!”

His announcement was met with chants of “Thank you, Regal” from the WWE Universe within Full Sail University.

Both Matt Riddle and Killian Dain nodded, staring at each other after the announcement was made.

Last night saw Adam Cole’s stable, the Undisputed Era, finally fulfil their promise of being draped in NXT gold. No matter who comes out victorious from the Street Fight rematch next week, expect Cole and his stablemates to do everything they can to keep the gold within Undisputed Era.

William Regal Has No Sympathy For Mia Yim Following NXT Beatdown

WWE NXT General Manager William Regal had little time for Mia Yim following last night’s episode of NXT. 

In case you missed it, Yim was confronted by NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler and her Horsewomen, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir. She was offered a spot under Baszler’s “dragon wing,” and was invited to join the three of them. Yim refused their invitation, instead launching an attack before the numbers game caught up with her. 

After the show, Mia Yim caught up with a preoccupied William Regal, who was on the phone. She demanded a matchup against Shayna Baszler, highlighting that she was just beaten down in a three-on-one assault.

Regal’s response lacked any sort of sympathy, however:

“Listen, you had your opportunity at TakeOver,” he said. “You attacked two of them, what do you expect?”

He then resumed his phone call and walked off, leaving Mia Yim visibly frustrated.

The matchup Regal referred to was Mia Yim’s recent bout at TakeOver: Toronto. She competed in a losing effort for the WWE NXT Women’s Championship, submitting to Baszler.

Given the fallout of this match and her rejection to join Baszler and her cohorts, it appears this storyline has yet to run its course. 

William Regal Responds To Chris Jericho’s Comment Regarding NXT Moving To USA Network

The wrestling world continues to react to WWE’s announcement that NXT, will debut on USA Network in September.

Former WWE Superstar and current All Elite Wrestling (AEW) wrestler Chris Jericho shared a loaded tweet in the wake of the news. He wrote: 

“Oh by the way… @WWENXT on @USA_Network? #YoureWelcome #IndustryChanger”

Turns out that NXT’s General Manager William Regal has seen Jericho’s message. It didn’t take him long to respond:

“Yes,thank you Chris. From us both being on NXT in 2010 until today, being a mentor, announcer and GM, NXT has given huge oppurtunities for many talent who would never of got a chance before, to be real game changers. And it’s all down to you.Thank you so much”

https://twitter.com/RealKingRegal/status/1163907850332192768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1163907850332192768&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mandatory.com%2Fwrestlezone%2Fnews%2F1127527-william-regal-chris-jericho-triple-h-nxt

NXT’s September start date puts WWE a few weeks ahead of AEW’s TNT debut on October 2nd. This gives WWE time to try and establish its black-and-gold brand on television before their competitor’s debut.

With both shows airing on Wednesday nights, the wrestling industry is on the precipice of a new ratings war between the two shows. Despite this, AEW EVPs, The Young Bucks, recently stated they aren’t “scared” of WWE’s counter-programming efforts.

WWE NXT will be moving up to a two-hour time slot and will debut on USA Network on September 18th at 8/7 C.

SAnitY Comment On Their SmackDown Live Debut, William Regal To Make NXT Return

SAnitY

Members of the group SAnitY have reacted to making their debut on the blue brand.

As seen on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live in Toledo, OH at the Huntington Center on the USA Network, the group was supposed faced off against The Usos in a tag team match. However, they beat down the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions and there was no match.

Following the show, Eric Young, Killian Dain, and Alexander Wolfe took to their official Twitter accounts to react to their main roster television debut. They wrote the following:

https://twitter.com/KillianDain/status/1009248689108537344

https://twitter.com/TheWWEWolfe/status/1009249874104242176

William Regal Returns

WWE NXT General Manager William Regal is slated to make his return to television, according to Mike Johnson of PWinsider.

Regal, who has missed the last few tapings due to a health issue, is set to work this Thursday’s NXT TV tapings in Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University.

What do you think WWE should do with the former NXT stable?

 

Reason Why William Regal Has Been Off TV, NXT Star On How Alexa Bliss Changed Her Perspective

Reason Why William Regal Has Been Off TV

While WWE has been referencing him by his name and there have been segments with wrestlers going to his office, NXT General Manager William Regal hasn’t exactly been shown on Camera in recent weeks.

This has made many wonder about his status and the reason behind the Former Hardcore Champion’s absence from the WWE programming. Now Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has revealed the reason behind it.

According to him, Regal has been dealing with a health issue and the company has been working around his illness. The issue dates back prior to WrestleMania 34, though there is not much detail available on it at the point.

NXT Star On How Alexa Bliss Changed Her Perspective

NXT Star and American Ninja Warrior Competitor Kacy Catanzaro recently had an interview with TV Insider where she talked about working NXT Live Events and more.

While speaking about the former Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, Catanzaro said that Bliss has changed her perspective and claimed that she gave her the extra push for professional wrestling

“[Alexa] helped changed my perspective. She has been growing and rising so much the last couple of years that I’ve really been thinking about WWE and seeing if it would be possible. I’ve definitely been looking to her to fuel that drive. The ‘Five Feet of Fury’ and being tiny but bringing that fire. She gave me that extra push to show that I could do this.”

Apart from this, Kacy also talked about her time in the American Ninja Warrior, Women’s Revolution and more. You can check out her full interview here.

The Rock’s IWD Video With His Young Daughter, Infamous Sucker Punches In WWE History (Video), William Regal

– The Rock has been receiving quite a bit of mainstream media attention for the video he posted with his young daughter earlier this week on International Women’s Day. Watch the adorable video here below:

“Girl power.
To every woman out there ‘round the world – all ages and races – I proudly stand by your side to always honor, protect and respect. Especially, the loves of my life at home.
Now if I can just get Jazzy to say the daddy is the most handsome, brilliant, sexiest man alive part, then we all gonna be cool.
#MyAnchors #InternationalWomensDay 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgFhs6rlhvn/

– WWE posted the following YouTube video of the 10 “Most Infamous Sucker Punches In WWE.” Most recently, Triple H’s sucker punch on current Monday Night RAW General Manager Kurt Angle during a segment with Ronda Rousey was featured. Check out the video here:

– NXT General Manager William Regal took to Twitter to offer some advice to young current wrestlers looking to get into WWE. Regal noted that advertising themselves via Twitter is not the way to go about things:

(Spoilers) Updated Takeover Card: Big Dusty Classic Change, Ladder Match, More

NXT Tag Team Champion Bobby Fish was at tonight’s NXT TV tapings but was on crutches after suffering a knee injury at a weekend live event. PWInsider reports that Fish is scheduled to undergo knee surgery later this week in Birmingham, AL.

There’s no word yet on when Fish will be back from the surgery but it was announced at tonight’s tapings that he and partner Kyle O’Reilly will put their titles on the line at “Takeover: New Orleans” during WrestleMania 34 Week.

In a change of plans, perhaps due to the injury, the finals of The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic came down to air on NXT TV instead of Takeover. Roderick Strong and WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain was set to begin as the finals but Adam Cole and O’Reilly attacked both teams for the contest. NXT General Manager William Regal then announced a Triple Threat for Takeover with Dunne & Strong vs. The Authors of Pain vs. O’Reilly & Fish with the winners being crowned Dusty Classic winners and NXT Tag Team Champions.

It was also confirmed at the NXT tapings that the Ladder Match to crown the inaugural NXT North American Champion will feature EC3, Adam Cole, Lars Sullivan, Killian Dain, The Velveteen Dream & Ricochet.

Here’s what looks to be the updated card for Takeover, which takes place on Saturday, April 7th from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Stay tuned for more updates & clarifications on the Takeover card.

NXT Title Match
Aleister Black vs. Andrade “Cien” Almas

NXT Women’s Title Match
Shayna Baszler vs. Ember Moon

NXT Tag Team Title Match, Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals
Roderick Strong & WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain vs. The Undisputed Era

Ladder Match to Crown the First-Ever NXT North American Champion
Ricochet vs. Ethan Carter III vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Adam Cole vs. The Velveteen Dream

Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa

William Regal Announces New Secondary Championship For NXT

A new secondary singles title is being planned for the NXT brand.

General Manager William Regal announced at tonight’s TV tapings from Full Sail University that the NXT North American Title will be introduced at NXT “Takeover: New Orleans” during WrestleMania 34 Weekend.

No word yet on what kind of match would be held at Takeover or who the participants will be but we will keep you updated.

As noted, WWE is planning on introducing new Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles to the 205 Live brand after WrestleMania 34 as well.

William Regal Makes Major Announcement Regarding TakeOver: Philly

NXT General Manager William Regal has announced that due to the injury of Drew McIntyre, NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas will receive a new challenger for his title.

A series of four Singles matches will be taking place, with the winners of those respective matches taking part in a Fatal Four-Way match of their own. The winner of the final Fatal Four-Way match will take on Almas for the NXT Title at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on Saturday, January 27th at the Wells Fargo Center. The four Singles matches are below:

Kassius Ohno vs. Velveteen Dream

Aleister Black vs. Adam Cole

Killian Dain vs. Trent Seven

Roderick Strong vs. Lars Sullivan

WWE.com reports that Seven earned his name into the mix by winning a Battle Royal at an NXT live event in Lakeland, Florida. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more…

Matches & Segment For The Takeover Go-Home NXT Episode, Lars Sullivan On His Match, WarGames

– Below is a new promo looking at the legacy of the WarGames match as we prepare for the return of the two-ring, three-team battle at WWE NXT “Takeover: WarGames” on Saturday, November 18th from the Toyota Center in Houston. The match will feature The Undisputed Era’s Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly vs. The Authors of Pain (Akam, Rezar) & Roderick Strong vs. SAnitY’s Killian Dain with NXT Tag Team Champions Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe. The video features comments from Goldust, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJXhfFrrpuc?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

– Matches announced for next week’s NXT are Ember Moon vs. Mercedes Martinez plus tag team action with The Street Profits vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss. Next week’s “Takeover: WarGames” go-home episode will also feature Andrade “Cien” Almas doing an in-ring face-off with NXT Champion Drew McIntyre.

– As noted, Takeover will feature Kassius Ohno vs. Lars Sullivan in singles action. Lars tweeted the following after the match was announced by NXT General Manager William Regal:

William Regal Set For EVOLVE Appearance, WWE Files For New Jeff Hardy Trademark

– WWE NXT General Manager William Regal is set to appear at  the EVOLVE 96 event on December 9th from Queens, New York. The former WWE European Champion will take pictures with fans and sign autographs in addition to appearing at the live event. WWN Live reported yesterday that there are rumors going around that Regal’s appearance is related to EVOLVE bringing in new talents. Regal is also scheduled to be in attendance at the WWN Seminar/Tryout on December 8th in Long Island.

– The WWE filed for the trademark “Immune To Fear” back on September 12th. “Immune To Fear” is a catchphrase Jeff Hardy used to use during his run with WWE back in 2009.

William Regal Reacts To Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles

Finn Balor and AJ Styles stole the show at Sunday night’s WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view. In the battle of the former Bullet Club leaders, The Demon got the victory in a match that we will almost certainly see again at some point down the road.

Styles was filling in for Bray Wyatt, who was forced to withdraw from the contest due to medical issues. As such, there was essentially no storyline buildup prior to them stepping in the ring together. NXT General Manager William Regal addressed that dynamic, stating that no angles are necessary to have a great match.

“When wrestlers say ‘Ah, but we had a cold match, no story etc’ I always say that of coarse you’ve got a story. You have to beat that person across the ring from you or you can’t feed yourself. Anything else you got to work with is a bonus….

That match was a perfect example of two competitors trying to win. Please remember, at the end of the day we are portraying Professional Fighters and your job is to win.”

Backstage at TLC, Finn Balor made it clear he’d like to face AJ Styles again.

William Regal Speaks In-Depth About His Battle With Substance Abuse

NXT General Manager William Regal was a recent guest on Sean Waltman’s X-Pac 1-2-360 Podcast and spoke candidly about his struggles with substance abuse.

“I didn’t drink until I was 25. I didn’t do anything, it was just not something that I did,” Regal said. “I left home when I was 16 and I was in nightclubs every night after work. I lived in a resort area where, within a mile walk of my house there was fifty-two nightclubs and over three hundred bars, and I was in one of them every night. I never drank, I just liked going out. Until I came to America and I sort of started doing a bit of this and a bit of that. I started taking a lot of pain pills and everything else. I coped with it for a while, and then the last few months of ’97 and ’98 were a complete mess. Then I said ‘enough.’ I just had enough of it.

“I don’t shy away from the fact that I’ve got no faith in anything, I don’t believe in any of that stuff. I think it’s just a matter of you’ve got to find whatever works for you. Personally, for me, it was just ‘Stop making excuses.’ Because that’s all it is at the end of the day. When you can stop making excuses for yourself, you’ll pack it in.

I hate to say it, but a lot of these places will give you nothing but excuses as to why you stay the way you do. ‘Well, your mom was this,’ or ‘Your dad was an alcoholic.’ It’s nonsense. You just have to take responsibility for yourself. I don’t care what you grew up with. There’s a point where you just have to go ‘Stop it. Just behave yourself.’

“I was told this a very long time ago: if you live in the past, you die every day. If you’ve done the kind of stuff where you got something to… you just beat yourself up for it which will just cause you to feel sorry for yourself; give you more excuses.”

“Luckily for me, people knew me and have given me a lot of extra chances. It’s like when I came to the WWF the first time. I got let go from WCW because I was a mess and they should’ve let me go a long time before they did. I’m not under any illusions; I don’t blame anyone. They did the right thing. But I got hired instantly to the WWF and people there didn’t know about the problems I had. They figured it out pretty quick.

“I went into rehab and, after ten weeks in there, I got out one day and I messed up. That was the last step for me. That was the time I just went ‘Ok, that’s it. Just stop it. Stop making excuses.’ That was the end of it, that was it. From then on it’s never been a thing since.”

“I got opportunities again. WWF didn’t have to put me in rehab because they didn’t do that stuff at the time. They looked after me. Even after ten weeks, they said ‘We’ll continue to pay for it, but we’re going to let you go.’ I was told ‘You can come back when you sort your life out.’ I came out and, straight away within a few weeks, I got a call from Eric Bischoff. ‘I heard you’ve straightened yourself out. Do you want a job back here?’ So, I had a lot of chances because I put a lot of work in before. People knew I’d been through a bit of something.”

“That was what it was for me. Just stop making excuses. I can’t say that’s going to work for everybody because I had a stable home life. I always had people around me. I can’t imagine when somebody’s got nothing and then, what else can you do? I can only speak for me, I’m not one of these people that say ‘You’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that.’”

“People ask me ‘Why did you do all that?’ Honestly, I was just looking for something that wasn’t there. You get everything you want by the time you’re in your mid-20’s, and you go ‘Now what?’ It’s like, you want to explore and… that just happens to be there, and ‘let’s have a go at that for a while.’ Sometimes people never get out of it, sometimes you snap out of it. Some people need a system or a crutch to get through it. Good for them, whatever works for you, just get yourself through it.”

You can listen to the full interview here:

https://youtu.be/5-dk2R0_SgY

Asuka Forfeits NXT Women’s Title, Headed To The Main Roster

This week’s episode of NXT on the WWE Network episode saw undefeated NXT Women’s Champion Asuka relinquish her title. Asuka is recovering from a collarbone injury sustained at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III, but the storyline is that she is looking to pursue other challenges in WWE.

WWE is recognizing Asuka’s reign at 523 days – from April 1st, 2016 (when she won the title from Bayley at Takeover: Dallas) through September 6, 2017.

It was also noted that she and NXT General Manager William Regal are currently negotiating for her call-up to RAW or SmackDown. Regal praises Asuka as an incredible champion for defending the title for 523 days and says he doesn’t see that happening ever again. Regal says he’s got a lot of thinking to do about the future because someone deserves a chance at the title and he needs to think about the best way to do that.

Regal promises an announcement to come soon.

With Asuka’s main roster debut on the horizon, WWE COO Triple H thanked the Empress of Tomorrow for a memorable championship reign.

Daniel Bryan Praises ZSJ, Regal Dances At NXT Live Event (Video), JBL Clotheslines Rugby Player

Daniel Bryan praises Zack Sabre Jr. 

Wrestling News World tweeted at Daniel Bryan that Zack Sabre Jr. may have passed him as the greatest submission based wrestler of this generation. SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan agreed and stated that he probably passed him a long time ago.

https://twitter.com/WWEDanielBryan/status/896724728831811586

JBL Clotheslines rugby player off a plank

JBL posted a video on Twitter this morning. In the video, JBL delivers a Clothesline from Hell on professional rugby player Alex Goode. JBL wrote that he has still got it in the caption.

William Regal dances at NXT Live Event

NXT General Manager William Regal had some fun last night at an NXT Live Event. No Way Jose came down to the ring and started dancing. Regal then joined in and the referee and ring announcer eventually joined in as well.

William Regal Opens up on His Friendship With Triple H, What NXT Stars to Look Out For, More

Former WWE European Champion William Regal recently did an interview with Metro to talk about NXT, his friendship with Triple H, and much more. You can check out some highlights from their conversation here:

About his friendship with Triple H:

“We have a very odd friendship in the fact that I probably speak to him less than anyone in the company. He trusts me with what he needs to trust me with. He can literally look at me from across the room, and we know that have the same kind of mindset.”

Triple H getting an offer to go to WWE in 1995:

“We got put together as a team, so we trained together all the time at the old Power Plant in WCW. I didn’t know how long the British wrestling style would last at that time because it was dying off then, so I started teaching him some of that stuff that I knew. It just went from there, the team worked well for a short period but his contract was coming up and he got an offer from WWF. I said to him he had to go, he wanted to go anyway, but he asked me and I said he had to because they were working nearly 300 dates a year at that point.I’d done all my work working every day, and I told him he could only get better doing that. Some people are good from the get go. I wasn’t, and he wasn’t. We had to learn everything that we ever got. The only place to get better is to work in front of a crowd every night, that’s when you’ll find what really works and what doesn’t.”

What NXT stars to look out for:

“I know people have been seeing Drew McIntyre for the last few years in the UK, and now you get to see him in NXT with the new way he’s going to get presented. The experience that he has got over the last three years and the confidence he has gained means he’s like a whole new person with how good he is. Bobby Roode is a star, he’s great for the brand, while Aleister Black is somebody who if you’ve never seen him, you’ve got to see him. It’s hard to explain, he just has a presence. Some people are great wrestlers and some people just have a presence about them, and he’s got both. To get to see Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno as well, they’re exceptionally good pros and they’re going to have excellent matches. The best of the best keep being brought here, and NXT has its own rawness and special quality to it.”

You can check out the full interview here.

William Regal Reveals Which Talent He Is Most Proud Of Signing To NXT

Metro.co.uk recently spoke with NXT General Manager William Regal and published Part 1 of their interview. As part of his role as NXT GM, Regal is one of WWE’s top talent scouts. He’s responsible for the signing of many Superstars currently in NXT and on the main roster.

Regal was asked if there is anybody not currently signed to NXT that he’d like to bring on board. He said there are actually a lot of people he’s keeping an eye on, but did not want to name them and put pressure on those talents. He added that WWE can only sign a finite number of people per year and there are times when a particular wrestler has big potential but could benefit from more time on the independent scene.

When asked which current or past NXT performer he’s most proud of signing, Regal named Sasha Banks. “I don’t really like singling anyone out, but Sasha Banks,” he said. “I’ve known her since she was 18, and the previous people that were doing what I’m doing now wouldn’t even give her the time of day.

“When I was asked by Triple H to be part of that team, of which there is nobody still here who was in the team at the time, I kept asking to bring her in, to which people replied ‘oh no, there is nothing in her, she’s useless.’ Sasha was the first person I went to bat for, and her development is a great thing to see.”

Regal added that he’s also very proud of signing Bayley and Becky Lynch. Regal said he actually had the idea for Bayley’s character, since a few acts in WWE are geared towards younger males but none were going after the young female demographic. Bayley’s character is an extension of her actual personality, so she was a great fit for that role.

Part 2 of Metro’s interview with William Regal will be published later this week.

Pete Dunne Storyline Heading Into The UK Championship Tournament Finals, Michael Cole Praises Nigel McGuinness

After the United Kingdom Tournament went off the air last night, Pete Dunne attacked Sam Gradwell. Dunne will be facing Gradwell in the Quarterfinals later today.

William Regal flipped out on Dunne and had to be calmed down by Triple H. Regal and Triple H were also asked if there should be any consequences for Dunne’s actions at the end of yesterday’s show. Regal thought that there should be and Triple H said that they will have to ask Sam Gradwell about what he wants to do. This storyline will most certainly be addressed during the UK Championship Tournament that airs later today.

Michael Cole is calling the United Kingdom Championship Tournament with Nigel McGuinness. Cole seems to be enjoying the show as well as working with McGuinness.

WWE UK Tournament – Top Contenders

WWE this week announced the bracket for the first ever UK Championship Tournament set to take place this weekend at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, England.

The tournament features some of the best performers on the British scene and here are (in my opinion) the top four men who are likely to go all the way and become the first ever WWE UK Champion.

Pete Dunne

Pete Dunne (known affectionally to PROGRESS fans as ‘PETER’) had the biggest year of his career in 2016. His stellar year included a spot in PWG’s BOLA tournament, facing Yuji Nagata in Rev Pro, winning the PROGRESS Tag Team Titles with Trent Seven and to cap it off he secured the PROGRESS Championship by pinning Jimmy Havoc at Chapter 39.

Dunne has been in the industry around a decade and has established himself as one of the top acts in the UK scene, nicknamed the ‘Brusierweight’ he has a hard hitting style and works predominately as a heel for multiple companies across Britain, he possesses a natural ability to rile up a crowd that harks back to William Regal in his prime. I would absolutely consider Dunne to be the favourite going into the tournament in Blackpool.

Projection: Winner

Trent Seven

Trent is one of the most experienced performers in the tournament. He too has had a breakout year in 2016, highlighted by his PROGRESS Tag Team title run with British Strong Style partners Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate (more info on Tyler below). Having worked the majority of the year as a firm crowd favourite both as a singles star in Fight Club Pro and as a tag team specialist in Moustache Mountain, his heel turn in PROGRESS set the stage for a huge tag team title win at Chapter 36. After the win a new cocky, arrogant side of his character shone through and brought out a different more focused Trent. I expect that he will work as a crowd favourite in the tournament and turn more than a few heads in the WWE fan base.

Projection: Loss to Pete Dunne in Final

Tyler Bate

Tyler is one of the youngest performers in the UK tournament however he too had a hugely successful 2016. As one half of Moustache Mountain he performed around the country as a firm fan favourite, in the latter part of the year he finally joined forces with ‘British Strong Style’ and became one of the top heels in PROGRESS. His style and work in the ring are similar to WWE Crusierweight star Jack Gallagher and I fully expect Tyler to work as a charismatic good guy who will be extremely well liked by the fans inside the Empress Ballroom. I’m expecting Tyler to lose in the semi-final against longtime friend and tag team partner Trent Seven.

Projection: Loss to Trent Seven in Semi-final

Mark Andrews

Known as ‘Mandrews’ during his stint in TNA, Mark Andrews is easily the most world renowned of all of the performers in the competition. He has been a mainstay in PROGRESS since its inception and has worked for companies such as PCW, ATTACK! Pro, wXw and Chikara.

Andrews is an extremely talented in ring worker and he easily has a shot at taking the title this weekend. He was a late addition to the tournament having recently cut ties with TNA and for that reason I am expecting that he will eventually lose to Pete Dunne in the semi-final.

Projection: Loss to Dunne in Semi-final

 

DISCUSSION: Who do you see winning the tournament?

Spoilers: NXT TV Tapings For The Rest Of January

NXT taped the following at Full Sail University tonight, the final tapings before TakeOver: San Antonio during Royal Rumble weekend:

1/11:

* They show video of Billie Kay & Peyton Royce attacking Asuka earlier in the day.

* Billie & Peyton defeated Sarah Bridges and Macey Estrella. After, the called out Asuka. She ran to the ring but got double teamed. Nikki Cross made the save to a big pop and cleared the ring. Cross then dropkicked Asuka and stood over her. Cross left and Asuka flipped out.

* Elias Samson defeated Jonathan Cruz in a quick match.

* Andrade Cien Almas defeated Oney Lorcan. Almas cut a heel promo in Spanish after the match when Dasha Fuentes tried interviewing him.

* DIY retained the NXT Tag Team Championships over The Revival. After, The Authors of Pain came from behind and left DIY laying.

1/18:

* Nikki Cross defeated Kennadi Brink, who was working as the local jobber.

* Roderick Strong defeated Steve Cutler. After, Dasha asked Strong about the recent threat from Andrade Almas. Strong doesn’t care about Almas, he’s only focused on the NXT Championship.

* Tye Dillinger came to the ring and was interrupted by Sanity. Eric Young tried to get Tye to join the group but he refused and they started fighting. Big Damo came from the crowd and destroyed Tye. Young gave Damo the Sanity jacket and he accepted it, then posed with the group.

* Ember Moon defeated Liv Morgan.

1/25:

* William Regal brought Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura to the ring for their TakeOver contract signing. It ended with Nakamura mocking Roode’s pose and a face off between the two.

* Aliyah defeated Mandy Rose in what was said to be a sloppy match.

* No Way Jose defeated Kona Reeves. Elias Samson interrupted a post-match interview and the two had words but Jose sent him running with a punch.

* Eric Young defeated Chris Atkins. After, Young cut a promo on Tye Dillinger as they apparently have a match at TakeOver. It ended with Big Damo destroying Atkins.

* TM-61 defeated The Revival in a quick match. The Revival attacks as soon as the match is over. Officials chase The Revival off while Shane Thorne is helped away by trainers.

* Regal and Dasha are in the ring to announce Asuka vs. Billie Kay vs. Peyton Royce vs. Nikki Cross for the Women’s Championship at TakeOver. They’re all brought to the ring but Asuka runs down and chases Billie & Peyton off. Nikki and Asuka face off until Peyton & Billie attack from behind. Asuka and Cross take them out and go to face off again but security runs in. Security gets taken out as well, then Asuka kicks Cross in the head. Asuka is pulled out by security but Cross jumps off the top rope and lands on them all.

* Shinsuke Nakamura and Tajiri defeated Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode. After, Chris Hero’s music hit for his return. Hero came out in a suit and entered the ring, tapping Nakamura’s title on his shoulder before leaving.

Participants Announced For WWE’s UK Championship Tournament

As noted this morning, WWE has announced a new UK Championship tournament for the WWE Network this January. Wrestlers for the 16-man tournament include Joseph Conners, Roy Johnson, Jordan Devlin, Tyson T-Bone, Tucker, HC Dyer, Tyler Bate, Wolfgang, Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, Chris Tyler, Dan Moloney, Jack Starz, James Drake, Sam Gradwell, Ringo Ryan, Saxon Huxley and Tiger Ali. Two will serve as alternates.

Here’s WWE’s official announcement regarding the UK Championship Tournament competitors:

WWE® to Crown U.K. Champion

LONDON & STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE® (NYSE:WWE) announced today that it will crown the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion live on WWE Network during a special, two-night tournament on Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15, 2017 beginning at 8:00 PM GMT. Fans can watch the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament by signing up at WWENetwork.com.

Tickets for the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, emanating from the historic Empress Ballroom in Blackpool,go on sale today at 12:00 PM GMT and can be purchased online at livenation.co.uk.

“Our passionate U.K. fans deserve to have their own Champion,” said WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H®” Levesque. “The tournament is the next step in our ongoing strategy to create localized content for our global WWE Network, develop another brand that engages our passionate fans, and add a new dimension to our on-going storylines.”

This unprecedented event will feature a single-elimination tournament and showcase competitors from all four Home Nations and Ireland including: charismatic Trent Seven, from Wolverhampton; hard-hitting Pete Dunne, from Birmingham; Tyler Bate, the bright young 19-year-old star from Dudley, West Midlands; big brawler Wolfgang, from Glasgow; tough Tyson T-Bone, from Malvern; the aggressive Northern Irish grappler Tucker; Irish high-flyer Jordan Devlin, who hails from Bray, in County Wicklow, the same home town as WWE Superstar Finn Bálor®; and Londoner Roy Johnson, a former champion powerlifter.

William Regal®, Head Scout, WWE Talent Development, and Robbie Brookside, WWE trainer, participated in the scouting process for the tournament competitors, using their unrivalled knowledge and experience of the UK scene, developed over careers of more than 20 years in the ring.

The WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament on WWE Network will be called by WWE lead announcer Michael Cole, who will be joined by color analyst Nigel McGuinness, a mainstay of the UK independent scene.

WWE Announces UK Tryout Details, More Upcoming Tryouts

WWE announced the following on tryouts held in Scotland this week, which were overseen by NXT General Manager William Regal:

WWE holds tryout in Glasgow, Scotland

WWE’s worldwide search for talent continued this week in Glasgow, Scotland, where more than 30 athletes were invited to a tryout.

The tryout coincided with WWE’s current tour of Europe and the United Kingdom. This week, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow hosts both Raw and SmackDown LIVE.

Invitees to the tryout included independent wrestling standouts from throughout the continent, as well as athletes from other sports.

More than a dozen female wrestlers were on hand, ranging from Wales’ Nixon Newell to England’s Lana Austin to 6-foot-2 Queen Maya of Italy. A variety of renowned male competitors from the U.K. — such as “Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne (who battled Jack Gallagher in a Cruiserweight Classic qualifying match earlier this year), veteran Trent Seven and 19-year-old wonder Tyler Bate — also attended the camp.

Other notables included “Freak of Nature” Sean O’Hagan, a 6-foot-11, 420-pound strongman from Northern Ireland who claimed the title of Ireland’s Strongest Man in 2015, and English rugby player Luke Menzies.

As previously reported, WWE will hold another invitation-only tryout next month in Australia in conjunction with NXT’s debut Down Under.