Darren Matthews

Infobox Wrestler
name=Darren Matthews

Darren Kenneth Matthews (born May 10, 1968) also known by his ring name William Regal, is an English professional wrestler, currently signed to the World Wrestling Entertainment on its Raw brand.

In WCW, he was a 4 time Television Champion.citeweb|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/tvwcw.html|accessdate=2008-07-06|last=Duncan|first=Royal|title=WCW World Television Title history|publisher=Solie] In WWF/E, he is a former Intercontinental Championciteweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322700|accessdate=2008-07-06|title=William Regal's first Intercontinental Championship reign|publisher=WWE] , 4 time European Championciteweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/|accessdate=2008-07-06|title=WWE European Championship official history|publisher=WWE] , a 5 time Hardcore Championciteweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|accessdate=2008-07-06|title=WWE Hardcore Championship official title history|publisher=WWE] , a 4 time World Tag Team Championciteweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|accessdate=2008-07-06|title=World Tag Team Championship official history|publisher=WWE] , and the 2008 King of the Ring winner.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Matthews was born in Codsall Wood, Staffordshire, England. Matthews made his ring debut wrestling in carnivals and on the North Pier of Blackpool at the age of fifteen. He wrestled professionally all over England, where he regularly teamed with Robbie Brookside, before going to the United States in 1992. He wrestled his first few matches under the name Roy Regal before settling on the name Steve Regal, a name he saw in an American wrestling magazine (in use by "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal). Both Regal and Brookside appeared on World Of Sport in several matches that were televised.

World Championship Wrestling (1993-1998)

Early face run (1993)

Matthews started in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as Steve Regal, beginning as a face. He was turned into the heel Lord Steven Regal in 1993, claiming descent from William the Conqueror. At times arrogantly charming in this persona, one of his memorable statements to a post-match interviewer was, "Do you know what my New Year's resolution is going to be? To wake up a half an hour earlier so I can hate you more."

Television Champion (1993-1994)

Bill Dundee served as his manager under the name Sir William, and he won the Television Title four times.cite book|title=Bodyslams!: Memoirs of a Wrestling Pitchman|last=Michael Cappetta|first=Gary|year=2006|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1550227092|pages=pp. 191] He teamed up with fellow aristocrat Jean-Paul Levesque, later known as Triple H, but after Levesque left WCW, he was replaced by Alabama-born Bobby Eaton. Regal formed the team The Blue Bloods and was involved in humorous vignettes where he tried to teach Eaton the finer points of dining and the proper usage of the Queen's English. He renamed him "Earl" Robert Eaton and soon added "Squire" David Taylor, as well. They came close to winning the WCW Tag Team Titles, but never did. Among his feuds in WCW were Ricky Steamboat, Johnny B. Badd, Último Dragón, The Belfast Bruiser, Sting, Prince Iaukea, and the team of Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. During his stint in WCW, Regal faced Living Legend Antonio Inoki in what was a short but memorable match at Clash of the Champions on August 28, 1994. Regal also had a match with Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

Match with Bill Goldberg

On February 9, 1998, Regal had a now well-known televised match with Bill Goldberg on "WCW Monday Nitro", in which he appeared more aggressive and stiff than expected with the then-rising star. It was later revealed that most of Regal's moves on Goldberg were shoot-style moves, which caught Goldberg off-guard at the time. WCW management was upset with Regal because, even though he did job to Goldberg as expected, he was supposed to lose to Goldberg in a squash, like most of Goldberg's other competitors at the time, as opposed to actually keeping the match competitive.

Regal later admitted that the reason he wrestled more aggressively to Goldberg at the time was because he was not happy with WCW management giving someone with very few wrestling skills and someone that wasn't technically sound—let alone the fact that Goldberg had been wrestling for less than a year—a main-event push right away.

World Wrestling Federation (1998-1999)

Regal's initial appearance in the World Wrestling Federation was on the June 29, 1998 edition of "Raw Is War", in which he defeated Droz via submission with the Regal Stretch. Regal had no particular gimmick in this showing, and he would not be seen on WWF television again until he returned that fall with a "Real Man's Man" builder/lumberjack style looking gimmick that was based on the image of The Brawny Man. Vignettes for the character showed him doing "manly" things like chopping wood, shaving with a plain razor, and squeezing his own orange juice. He debuted in October 1998. He faced X-Pac in the opening round of the tournament for the vacant WWF Championship at the 1998 Survivor Series. The match ended in a double countout, eliminating both men from the tournament. Regal then began a feud with The Godfather, but was taken off television soon after. Regal checked into rehab in January 1999 and was released from the WWF in April.

Return to WCW (1999-2000)

After checking out of rehab, Regal was invited back into the wrestling world, making a somewhat brief return to WCW. Lord Steven Regal's official PPV Return took place at the Bash at the Beach 1999 where he was one of many participants in the first ever Hardcore Invitational. On "Nitro" on July 12, 1999, Regal (accompanied by both Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor) fought Billy Kidman. The fans acted as if Regal never left and right at the bell began chanting "USA! USA!." Despite outside help from Finlay and Taylor, Regal was unable to pick up the win. On "Thunder" on July 14, 1999 Regal, Finlay and Taylor faced Brad Armstrong, Chase Tatum and Swoll (w/4x4). During this time Finlay was forced to stay out of action due to nerve damage in his leg sustained while wrestling in a hardcore match. On "Nitro" on July 26, 1999, Lord Steven Regal faced Mikey Whipwreck. Jimmy Hart's First Family came out to challenge the Blue Bloods at Road Wild for the Hardcore Trophy thus causing Regal to lose to Whipwreck. Nothing really came of this challenge as neither the First Family or the Blue Bloods were even featured at Road Wild. Similar to his former run, much of Regal's performance took place in tag team bouts. He continued his role as a rulebreaking heel and had small feuds with teams such as the Filthy Animals. In late February 2000, Regal faced off in a (Career vs. Career) match against Hacksaw Jim Duggan on "WCW Saturday Night" for the Television title. Regal lost the match, and as WCW continued to lose the ratings war with WWF, Regal was again released in February 2000.

Return to WWF (2000-present)

WWF Commissioner (2000-2001)

Regal was once again hired by the WWF and sent to Memphis Championship Wrestling for a short time. After a bout with Chris Benoit at the Third Annual Brian Pillman Memorial Show, he was promoted to the full roster and re-debuted on the September 18, 2000 episode of "Raw is War" as Steven William Regal (soon shortened to William Regal), a stereotypical British snob, hearkening back to his WCW character. As a heel, Regal had much more success, winning the WWF European Championship.He later became the on-screen commissioner and self-proclaimed "Goodwill Ambassador" of the WWF and was given a comedy sidekick/man-servant in Tajiri.

During the WCW/ECW Alliance storyline, Regal turned heel on his fellow WWF wrestlers by costing Kurt Angle (then a babyface) the WWF Title and joining the WCW Alliance. He was fired as commissioner by Linda McMahon, but Shane McMahon, who was the then heel owner of WCW, hired him as the Alliance Commissioner. After the Alliance was defeated at the Survivor Series 2001, Regal was forced to become the first member of Vince McMahon's "Kiss My Ass" club by kissing the left cheek of McMahon's ass (literally) so he could keep his job.

Intercontinental Championship rivalries and Raw brand (2002-2005)

In 2002, after an absence due to surgery on his nose, Regal returned and feuded with Edge. He won the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Edge at the Royal Rumble. There he began using a set of brass knuckles to win matches. Regal defended the title against Edge again at No Way Out in a brass knuckles on a pole match before losing the Intercontinental Title to Rob Van Dam at Wrestlemania 18. Soon after, he beat former WCW Champion Diamond Dallas Page for the European Championship on an April 2002 edition of SmackDown!. It had been over a year since he last held the title. In mid-2002 the World Wrestling Federation was renamed World Wrestling Entertainment, and the roster was divided into two "brands". During this time he was drafted to the Raw brand by Ric Flair. He lost the European title to Spike Dudley but won it back two weeks later to become a four time champion. He later lost the title to Jeff Hardy. He also briefly held the WWF Hardcore Championship. He then formed an alliance with Molly Holly before joining The Un-Americans, an anti-American heel stable consisting of Canadian wrestlers Lance Storm, Christian and Test. On the September 30, 2002 episode of "Raw", every member of The Un-Americans lost their matches, causing the group to separate later in the night and splinter into separate groups. Regal began teaming with Lance Storm, Christian formed a team with Chris Jericho, and Test branched off into single competition and eventually turned face. Storm and Regal won the World Tag Team Championship from Booker T and Goldust thanks to Regal's trusty brass knuckles. However, they lost the titles to The Dudleys (Bubba Ray and Devon) because of the same pair of brass knuckles at the Royal Rumble. However, Regal and Storm regained the titles twenty-four hours later, thanks to an impromptu match set up by Chief Morley after Regal and Storm had put Bubba through a table. But Regal would later have to give up his title due to a heart condition (initially thought to be a stomach virus contracted on a recent WWE tour of India).

Upon Regal's return, Eugene (the "mentally challenged" nephew of "Raw" General Manager Eric Bischoff) was placed in the care of Regal during his return to WWE. He became friends with Eugene, turning him face in the process. Regal was ordered by Bischoff to make Eugene lose so that he'd leave the WWE, but Regal's friendship with Eugene caused him to try only half-heartedly to cost Eugene his match with Robert Conway. Despite this, Bischoff put Regal back on the active roster. Regal would then team with Eugene and they won the World Tag Team Championship from La Résistance on the November 15, 2004 edition of "Raw". Later, Eugene injured himself at New Year's Revolution after botching a dropkick. This ultimately cost them the World Tag Team Championship, as Regal unsuccessfully attempted to defend the titles with announcer Jonathan Coachman as his tag team partner. The pair wrestled against La Résistance and lost the match at a "Raw" brand house show, crowning La Résistance with their third reign. On February 4, 2005, Regal and old ally Tajiri defeated La Résistance to win the World Tag Team Championship on an episode of "Raw", broadcast live from Tajiri's home country of Japan. La Résistance repeatedly attempted to regain the gold (mainly on "Sunday Night Heat") from Regal and Tajiri in many different matches, but just fell short during each one. During the "last shot" for Regal and Tajiri's gold, La Résistance thought they had won back the titles, only to have the decision reversed by referee Mike Chioda due to La Résistance not pinning the legal man. After winning this match Regal issued an open challenge to any tag team in the world to come after their belts. On the following episode of "Raw", Regal and Tajiri successfully defended the belts against the debuting Romeo and Antonio, known collectively as "The Heart Throbs." On May 1, 2005, at Backlash, Regal and Tajiri participated in a "Tag Team Turmoil" match in which four teams competed for the World tag team titles. Regal and Tajiri were eliminated by La Résistance who, in turn, were eliminated by Hurricane and Rosey, who became the new champions.

Shortly before the ECW One Night Stand 2005 pay-per-view (PPV), Regal announced that he was joining Eric Bischoff's anti-ECW faction to invade the PPV, and told Tajiri he had to make a choice - to join with Regal or join with ECW. Tajiri responded by chanting, "EC-Dub! EC-Dub!". Regal did indeed invade the ECW PPV, along with many other WWE performers (although he was the only one of the invaders that was a face.)

Move to SmackDown! and rivalries on Velocity (2005-2006)

On June 30, 2005, Regal was sent to "SmackDown!" in an 11-person trade as part of the draft, leaving his tag team partner Eugene behind. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/supplementaldraft07|title=2007 Supplemental Draft results|date=2007-06-17|author=Louie Dee|accessdate=2008-01-04|publisher=WWE|quote=Regal was traded to SmackDown in a blockbuster 11 person deal after the 2005 Draft Lottery] Regal's first match on "SmackDown!" was scheduled for July 7 against Matt Morgan, in what was to be Morgan's final WWE match. It was interrupted before Regal was even able to enter the ring by The Mexicools. His first actual match as part of the "SmackDown!" roster was a loss to Chris Benoit in a lengthy chain wrestling match on the July 16 episode of "WWE Velocity". He managed to trap Benoit in the Regal Stretch but Benoit got to the ropes. Regal eventually submitted to the Crippler Crossface. His autobiography "Walking a Golden Mile" came out in July 2005.

On August 4, 2005, Regal was supposed to go one on one with Scotty 2 Hotty, but the Mexicools came in and attacked both men. Two weeks later Regal and Scotty 2 Hotty teamed up on "SmackDown!" in a tag team match against the heel gimmicks of Psicosis and Super Crazy with Juventud in their corner. In the middle of the match Regal made his third heel run by betraying Scotty by refusing to tag him plus walking out of the ring with a smirk on his face, allowing the Mexicools to pick up the win. On "Velocity", Regal cut a promo telling the crowd that he had returned to his former self, referring to himself as a "scoundrel" and a "rogue", this promo ended when Scotty ran to the ring and attacked Regal. On the episode of "WWE Velocity" which aired on August 27, a match between William Regal and Scotty 2 Hotty was cut short when another Englishman, the debuting Paul Burchill, interrupted the match to aid his countryman in attacking Scotty. Regal went on to take Burchill under his wing and tag with him on the hunt for the WWE Tag Team Championship but the teams biggest exposure was a loss in a handicap match against Bobby Lashley at Armageddon.

On the February 3 edition of "SmackDown!", Regal and Burchill told "SmackDown!" "network representative" Palmer Canon that they no longer wanted to be a tag team so they could go their separate ways. During this discussion Burchill informed Canon that his family heritage traces back to the pirate Blackbeard, and that he wanted to do a pirate gimmick on "SmackDown!". Burchill, with his babyface persona, started a rivalry with former team mate Regal, who would weekly try to convince Burchill to return to his ruthless ways. Regal faced Burchill (having his first match as a pirate) on the March 10 edition of "SmackDown!".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/03102006/|title=The Deadman responds|date=2006-03-10|accessdate=2008-01-29|publisher=WWE] Burchill defeated William Regal using his Walking the Plank move. Burchill once again defeated Regal in a singles match on the April 7, 2006 "SmackDown!". However, this match saw a stipulation that saw Regal have to dress like a "buxom wench" if he lost the match. "Lady Regal", as SmackDown! announcers jokingly referred to him, had no choice but to dress up like a woman until Burchill lost a match. This stipulation ended after Burchill abandoned Regal (who had since been made to wear various outfits) in a tag match that saw Regal (and Burchill) be defeated by the Gymini tag team.

King Booker's Court (2006)

Regal continued to wrestle in a lower mid-card status, the highlight of which saw Regal turn face for one night only as he faced the then-reigning United States Champion, JBL in a losing effort while in his home country of England, which JBL was happily bashing. Immediately after Booker T became King Booker, Regal joined King Booker's Court, playing the role of a town crier to the 2006 King of the Ring. As a member of King Booker's Court, Regal helped Booker in his feud against Bobby Lashley and occasionally teamed up with fellow Court member Finlay in tag team matches. However, during this time, Regal also feuded with Finlay often over Finlay's WWE United States Championship. Regal was knighted by King Booker and changed his ring name to "Sir William Regal".

At No Mercy 2006, Regal lost to a returning Chris Benoit in a match. Afterwards, Regal turned his back on the King's Court when he leveled King Booker with a left hand to the face after Booker slapped him and called him useless. During this show, Regal was involved in a backstage segment with Vito in which he accidentally exposed his penis for a brief second. WWE.com issued an apology for the incident after the show.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/exclusives/3448980|title=WWE Apologizes|publisher=WWE|date=2006-10-09|accessmonthday=October 9|accessyear=2006]

Reunion with Dave Taylor (2006-2007)

On the October 20 episode of "SmackDown!", Regal stated that while he had once been one of the world's greatest wrestlers, he had become a doormat for other SmackDown superstars, mentioning his being dressed as a buxom wench for a pirate, the aforementioned locker room incident with Vito, and being knighted by a false king as examples. After announcing he was finished being a whipping boy, he introduced his old tag team partner Dave Taylor, and the two went on to easily defeat the team of Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki. Though the pair reformed their previous tag team, Regal and Taylor did not reuse the "Blue Bloods" gimmick, instead portraying themselves as sadistic fighters. However, the team was quickly put into jeopardy in their second match together when Taylor suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee leaving him injured. Taylor took a more relaxed role for a couple of weeks as a corner man for Regal and only wrestled a few short house shows matches.

However, Dave Taylor quickly healed from his injury and the pair feuded with WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London and Brian Kendrick. After defeating London and Kendrick on several occasions, at Armageddon 2006, they would go into a Tag Team match which would turn out as 4-way ladder match adding Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury and the The Hardys, with London and Kendrick coming out on top. After Wrestlemania 23, Regal and Taylor began a feud with Kane when after a match between Kane and Dave Taylor, Taylor and Regal attacked Kane. Kane was soon joined by The Boogeyman as his tag team partner for this feud. On the May 25 edition of "SmackDown!", Regal and Taylor competed in a number 1 contenders match for the WWE Tag Team Championship against Brian Kendrick and Paul London which they lost when Deuce 'n Domino interfered, making both competitors the number 1 contenders. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05252007/|title=Golden goals|date=2007-05-25|author=Lennie DiFino|accessdate=2008-01-28|publisher=WWE] This led to a triple threat match the next week on "SmackDown!", in which Deuce 'n Domino retained the titles. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06012007/|title=Draft patterns|date=2007-06-01|author=Lennie DiFino|accessdate=2008-01-28|publisher=WWE]

Return to Raw and Raw General Manager (August 6, 2007-May 19, 2008)

On June 17, Regal was drafted to the Raw brand during the Supplemental Draft, [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/supplementaldraft07|title=2007 Supplemental Draft results|author=Louie Dee|accessdate=2007-07-17|publisher=WWE.com] ending his tag team with Dave Taylor and re-debuted the next night. On July 2, Regal served as Interim General Manager of Raw, filling in for Jonathan Coachman. While GM, Regal introduced the Beat the Clock Sprint to "Raw". The Sprint was used to determine who would challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship at the 2007 Great American Bash. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07022007/articles/beattheclock|title=Time is on Lashley's side|author=Louie Dee|accessdate=2007-07-02|publisher=WWE]

On the August 6 edition of "Raw", Regal became the new General Manager on the Raw brand after winning an over the top rope battle royal featuring other participants from the Raw roster.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08062007/articles/regalnewgm|title=Raw now Regal’s new British empire|author=Corey Clayton|accessdate=2007-08-06|publisher=WWE.com] When Regal became general manager he began incorporating game shows into "Raw". Later that night, he hosted "WWE Dating Game", a parody of The Dating Game, which Maria was the bachelorette and Ron Simmons, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and Santino Marella were the contestants, which Simmons won. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08062007/|title=Checkmate: Booker beats Lawler in battle of kings|author=Corey Clayton|accessdate=2007-08-06|publisher=WWE.com] The next week he held "WWE Idol", a parody of former UK talent show "Pop Idol", and was a judge along with Maria and Mick Foley. The contestants were Jillian Hall, Nikolai Volkoff (With The Iron Sheik), Lilian Garcia, Marella and Simmons, which was won by Simmons also. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08132007/|title=Rhodes keeps on rolling|author=Greg Adkins|accessdate=2007-08-13|publisher=WWE] .

On the September 3 edition of "Raw"', Regal was attacked by WWE Champion John Cena in retaliation for rewarding Randy Orton with a WWE title shot after Orton had kicked John Cena's father in the head the previous week. Regal was missing from Raw programming for one month due to this attack (kayfabe). He made his return as General Manager on the October 1 edition of "Raw" as a heel once more by siding with Vince McMahon. Regal still wrestles on "Raw", especially during foreign tours. On the December 31 edition of Raw, Triple H was scheduled to face Ric Flair, in which Flair's win or retire ultimatum was still active. Regal announced that if Triple H lost the match in any way, he would not participate in the Royal Rumble match at the 2008 Royal Rumble. This was to give Triple H a reason to want to win the match rather than avoid ending the career of his best friend and idol. Regal was scheduled to compete against Hornswoggle that night with Mr. McMahon at ringside. McMahon tossed Regal some brass knuckles during the match and encouraged him to use them on Hornswoggle. Regal let Hornswoggle go and left the ring.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=Brass Kisser|date=2007-12-31|author=Greg Adkins|accessdate=2008-01-06|publisher=WWE] During the Flair vs. Triple H match, Triple H performed a Pedigree on Flair and appeared to be going for the pin when Regal suddenly punched Flair in the face with the brass knuckles. This gave Flair the win by disqualification, ensuring that his career will live on and that Triple H will not be part of the Royal Rumble. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=Life Goes On|date=2007-12-31|author=Greg Adkins|accessdate=2008-01-06|publisher=WWE] . As a result of Regal's actions towards Triple H, the following week on "Raw Roulette" on January 7, 2008 Regal lost a First Blood match to Triple H after several right hands to Regal's forehead. A few weeks later, he made the Raw Elimination Chamber match for No Way Out. He later turned face for one night only by facing Randy Orton in a match to show him some respect.

King of the Ring (2008)

On April 21, 2008, Regal won the 2008 King of the Ring Tournament, on a special edition of "Raw", where he defeated Hornswoggle, Finlay and CM Punk all by submission to win the tournament.citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04212008/|accessdate=2008-07-06|last=Adkins|first=Greg|title=Party Crasher|publisher=WWE] On the April 28 edition of "Raw", Regal's coronation ceremony as the 2008 King of the Ring was interrupted by the returning Mr. Kennedy. As a result, he took Raw off the air before the end of the WWE Championship Match between Triple H and Randy Orton because he felt that as he had been disrespected and that the WWE fans didn't deserve to see the end of the match. He then arranged for them to meet in a Steel Cage match at Judgment Day for the WWE Championship. He continued to end matches early over the next several weeks, including a first-time encounter between Randy Orton and CM Punk.

On the May 19, 2008 episode of "Raw", Regal lost a Loser Gets Fired match to Mr. Kennedy, after which, Regal was (kayfabe) forced to leave the WWE. In reality, Regal was suspended on May 20, 2008, for sixty days for his second violation of the company’s Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy.cite web|url= http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2008/2008_05_20.jsp|accessdate=2008-05-20|title=World Wrestling Entertainment (R) Suspends Performer|publisher=WWE Corporate|date=2008-05-20] On July 28, 2008, Regal returned from his suspension as a "free agent" during an episode of "Raw", where he was defeated by CM Punk. [citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07282008/|accessdate=2008-07-29|date=2008-07-28|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|title=That's "Mr. Adamle" to you|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment]

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves :*"Power of the Punch" (Left-handed knockout punch with brass knuckles):*"Regal Bomb" (Double underhook powerbomb) - 2001-2003 :*"Regal Cutter" (Arm trap neckbreaker) :*"Regal-Plex" (Bridging leg hook belly to back suplex) - Innovated:*"Regal Stretch" (Arm trap cross-legged STF):*Running high knee strike to a kneeling opponent's face [citeweb|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/6365/105/|accessdate=2008-09-07|date=2008-08-11|last=Martin|first=Todd|title=Todd Martin's Raw Report for August 11|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter] :*Bow and arrow stretch:*Double knee lift:*European uppercut:*Modified surfboard stretch:*Multiple suplex variations::*Double underhook::*Half nelson::*Scoop exploder::*Three-quarter nelson:*Regal presses his knee onto an opponent's throat while pleading with the referee:*"Regal Roll" (Rolling fireman's carry slam)

*Signature foreign object:*Brass knuckles

*Managers:*Sir William:*Lady Ophelia:*Fit Finlay:*Layla

*Entrance themes
**"Salute The Heroes" - WCW
**"Noble Occasion" - during his time in The Blue Bloods in WCW
**"Trumpet Voluntary" - WCW
**"Promenade"
**"Gladiators" - former WWE wrestler Eugene used this
**"Born Naughty"
**"Promenade" - remake
**King Regal Theme - current theme

*Wrestlers managed by William Regal:*Tajiri:*Christopher Nowinski:*Eugene:*Paul Burchill:*King Booker:*Dave Taylor:*Fit Finlay:*Umaga:*Jean-Paul Levesque [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/5330562/whyregal|title=A game of choices ... and consequences|date=2008-01-03|author=Corey Clayton|accessdate=2008-01-04|publisher=WWE|quote=Triple H was a protégé and tag team partner of Regal]

*Wrestlers Trained by William Regal Fact|date=December 2007:*Brian Kendrick:*Bryan Danielson:*CM Punk:*Chris Hero:*Skye:*Bobcat

Championships and accomplishments

*Memphis Championship Wrestling:*MCW Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time) [citeweb|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/shwmcw3.html|accessdate=2008-06-21|last=Westcott|first=Brian|title=MCW - MEMPHIS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING/MEMPHIS WRESTLING MCW/MEMPHIS WRESTLING SOUTHERN HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE HISTORY|publisher=Solie]

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI ranked him #18 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1994 [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50094.htm|accessdate=2008-07-06|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1994|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]

*World Championship Wrestling:*WCW World Television Championship (4 times)

*World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment:*WWF/E European Championship (4 times) (Tied for most Reigns):*WWF Hardcore Championship (5 times):*WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time):*World Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Lance Storm (2), Eugene (1), and Tajiri (1):*King of the Ring (2008)

Controversy

While in WCW, he was arrested during a flight from Japan back to the US when he got drunk on the flight and urinated on a stewardess. By Matthews's account in his book, he claims that he was so drunk that he couldn't remember the incident and woke up in a cell in Anchorage, Alaska.Fact|date=June 2008

On August 30, 2007, "Sports Illustrated" named Matthews, along with nine other superstars, found to be given illegal steroids not in compliance with the WWE Talent Wellness program. Matthews received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin, and anastrozole between November 2004 and November 2006. [cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/08/30/wrestlers/
title=Fourteen wrestlers tied to pipeline
publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=2007-08-30|accessdate=2007-08-31] [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101961.html?hpid=moreheadlines Pro Wrestling Suspends 10 Linked to Steroid Ring - washingtonpost.com ] ]

Personal life

His pets include two snakes, eight lizards, a tortoise, three cats, and two dogs . He claimed in an interview the reason he owns so many pets is because "Humans disgust me. Vile creatures".

He has been married to his wife Christina since 1986. They have three sons: Daniel (born 1988), Dane (born 1991) and Bailey (born 1996).His actual accent (Black Countrycite web|url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/142/14209447_biography.html|title=IGN: William Regal Biography|accessdate=2008-05-19|publisher=IGN] (UK West Midlands)) is very different from the one he uses on television. His on-air voice is, according to Matthews, is more upper-crust and therefore easier to dislike.He has a tattoo on his left leg which says "Made In England." Matthews participated in an episode of the Weakest Link, winning two of the first three rounds and eventually finishing third.

Books

*Matthews, Darren and Chandler, Neil (2005) "Walking a Golden Mile", Pocket Books (ISBN 0-7434-7634-4)

References

reflist|2

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article1087812.ece Regal on The Sun

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/williamregal/ WWE Profile]
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743476344 "Walking a Golden Mile" at Amazon.com]

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Darren Matthews — Darren Kenneth Matthews Daten Ringname(n) Steve Regal Lord Steven Regal … Deutsch Wikipedia
Darren Matthews — Pseudo(s) de lutte Steve Regal Lord Steven Regal Steven Regal William Regal Sir William Regal The Real Man s Man … Wikipédia en Français
Darren Matthews — William Regal Nacimiento … Wikipedia Español
Darren — ist ein im englischen Sprachraum gebräuchlicher männlicher Vorname irischer Herkunft mit der Bedeutung groß. Der Name war ursprünglich ein Familienname; als Vorname ist Darren erst seit dem 20. Jahrhundert in Gebrauch.[1][2] Inhaltsverzeichnis 1… … Deutsch Wikipedia
Matthews — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Andrew Matthews (1815–1897), britischer Insektenkundler Bruce Matthews (* 1961), US amerikanischer Footballspieler Cerys Matthews (* 1969), walisische Sängerin und Songwriterin Claude Matthews (1845−1898) … Deutsch Wikipedia
Matthews (surname) — This page lists notable people with the surname (that is, family name) Matthews. For a list of notable people with the surname Matthew (without s), see Matthew (surname). For a list of notable people with the surname Mathews (with only one t ),… … Wikipedia
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Darren Bennett (football player) — Darren Bennett (born 9 January 1965 in Sydney, New South Wales) is a former Australian rules football player and American football punter in the National Football League. As an Australian rules footballer, he played 12 seasons for two clubs. He… … Wikipedia
Darren Osborne — Ashley Taylor Dawson as Darren (2011) Hollyoaks character Portrayed by Adam Booth (1996–97) Ashley Taylor Dawson (1999 ) … Wikipedia

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Darren Matthews

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