William Regal

On any given day, it’s a toss-up as to which William Regal you could encounter. On one hand, he’s a haughty British aristocrat, dismissing those beneath him with his razor-sharp tongue and clipped, precise delivery. On the other hand, he’s a trained grappling machine, having honed his skill in the hardscrabble waterfront carnivals in his hometown of Blackpool, England. Frankly, either persona is one you would not want to be on the wrong side of.

As a teenager, Regal traveled the roads of his native United Kingdom, wrestling fellow grapplers, as well as complete strangers out of the crowd, as part of a touring carnival act. Here, he fostered a reputation as a lethal opponent whose crushing submissions and stiff strikes could render even the heartiest adversaries totally helpless. Regal diversified his abilities by traveling the world, mastering different styles and winning championships in Europe, the Middle East and Japan.

After finding further success in WCW, Regal carved a tremendous legacy in WWE, winning numerous championships and accolades worthy of such a competitor, including the mantle of Raw General Manager in 2007. Arguably his crowning achievement, however, was when he became truly regal, winning the prestigious 2008 King of the Ring Tournament.

In August 2014, Regal was appointed the new General Manager of NXT, and between signing international stars and sanctioning boundary-breaking contests, he’s helped the brand take its place on the cutting edge of sports-entertainment. Part English gentleman, part Blackpool brawler, William Regal remains one of the most dignified Superstars on the roster. And even today, he’s never above putting an opponent in his place, either with his words or with his fists.