Death, Taxes, and WWE firing people. This latest round of releases from the WWE seems to be featured around the Performance Center. Perhaps as a nod to NXT’s evolution from “Black and Gold” to “2.0”, a lot of PC stalwarts are now in the unemployment line. Perhaps the most shocking of all the releases is NXT General Manager and trainer William Regal.
When I saw the rumors that Regal was released, I was shocked and disappointed. Most WWE releases I can understand or, at the very least, don’t care about. This is the first in a while that upset me. By nearly all accounts, Regal is one of the top minds in wrestling and a great trainer and recruiter of talent. His eye for wrestling brought in Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa, and even commentator Corey Graves.
Related: Backstage Reacts To Toni Storm WWE Release, Jim Ross Is Cancer Free
Of course, the wrestling world was shocked and dismayed by this news and took to Twitter to voice their shock, sadness, and well-wishes for Regal.
Gargano, who wouldn’t have had his run without Regal, issued this statement of praise and thanks.
If it wasn’t for William Regal a lot of your favorite guys wouldn’t be on television. He got so many of us “indie guys” an opportunity. He will never take credit for that, but he deserves his flowers for helping and molding this generation of wrestlers. #ThankYouRegal pic.twitter.com/ib8GFIHHzE
— Johnny Gargano (@JohnnyGargano) January 5, 2022
Bryan Alvarez, who is most of the time a joke and embarrassment best ignored, was as skeptical as I was to this release.
Imagine firing William Regal
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) January 5, 2022
Plenty of wrestlers expressed themselves over this news.
William Regal is the man responsible for the inception of NXT UK. Throughout 2016 he travelled around the UK independent scene to find the 16 participants for the WWE UK Tournament. I will never forget him phoning me up with an offer to leave the 9-5 life behind me.
1/2— James Drake (@JamesDrake_GYT) January 5, 2022
William Regal forever
— Danhausen (@DanhausenAD) January 5, 2022
Fans and observers alike were upset by this decision.
I was wrong when I said the last of the black and gold NXT died last night. It died this afternoon. Imagine thinking it wasn’t worth it to have WILLIAM REGAL around anymore with all of that young talent.
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) January 5, 2022
Also, Rest in Peace to one of the best recurring bits in all wrestling.
William Regal has been released by WWE, no more shouting of WAR GAMES.
Today is a sad day. pic.twitter.com/WhAO8mpNfU
— Fiending For Followers ‼️ (@Fiend4FolIows) January 5, 2022
Regal’s influence over WWE cannot be overstated
All of the fresh NXT releases are sad, but man, nobody can afford to let William Regal go!
Quite literally dozens of talents have praised Regal to me and/or told stories of how he’s influenced their careers. One of wrestling’s finest eyes and mind.
— Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) January 5, 2022
Why Was William Regal Released?
There is a conspiracy theory that all these releases are being done to undermine Triple H, who has been sidelined after a significant health scare. I don’t think that’s it. WWE is a cold business that makes hard business decisions. I think NXT is dramatically transforming, and the brass probably feels new blood is needed to fit WWE’s new mission of growing their talent.
What do you think of these releases? Let us know in the comments below.
