Regal's Role at Takeover, Blackpool

[@smarkmouth]

While we still have Takeover; Respect to look forward to, WWE and NXT is already touting a sold out Empress Ballroom for their special in Blackpool. You have to imagine that William Regal, billed as a Blackpool native and prominent NXT personality, has certain levels of pride and excitement. As a semi-retired professional wrestler, I'm curious to what role he will play at Takeover.

While I like Regal as the NXT GM, the NXT specials haven't had long drawn out segments, so I can't see them making an exception, even for Regal. If he was kept out of the ring for the evening, he would need to have relevant stakes in a matchup; ie a proxy wrestler defending his GMship, or act as special guest referee in a championship context.

I'm of the thought that there are creative and interesting ways to work Regal into the event outside of the ring, but I also think that would be a damn waste. William Regal likely only has a small handful of matches left in his career, possibly even only one. In fact, a retirement match on NXT in Blackpool might be as close to a fairy tale ending to a career for William Regal as there could ever be.

Now, considering his role has some creative gears turning in my head, so if you want to ignore armchair booking, don't click the spoiler link.

Spoiler

To begin this storyline, assume that Balor and Joe lost the Dusty Rhodes Tag Tournament. There was no turn by either party, but there is certainly some tension among the two. Also, let's call the next Takeover special "Villains".

The following edition of NXT, the night is spent hyping Finn Balor, who wants to lay out a challenge for the next NXT Takeover. Red herrings are thrown out, to cause everyone to think the challenge will be issued to Samoa Joe. But when the moment comes;

"I know it's not traditional for a champion to issue a challenge, but if I don't make the challenge I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to have this match. Takeover; Villains takes place in Blackpool, and I firmly believe that William Regal should get a shot at the NXT Championship in his home."

William Regal comes out, and offers sincere gratitude to Finn. "The NXT Championship, however, is larger than my own ego." He states that the title belongs on the waist of WWE's future, not its past. As long as he's GM, the NXT Title will always be about the future.

The following week, William Regal is in his office at the top of the show. Samoa Joe greets him, and challenges Regal's pride for turning down the match. Inevitably, he changes the subject, requesting the number one contendership. Regal turns him down, but offers him a chance. Joe is inserted into a battle royal for a shot at Finn Balor's NXT Championship at Takeover. "I'm in.", says Joe, before punching out Regal, and choking him out on his desk.

The battle royal is about to start, but security comes to the ring and arrest Samoa Joe. He's dragged away, cursing William Regal. The battle royal is won by Tyler Breeze, who will go on to face Balor at Takeover; Villains.

On the next edition, Joe interferes in a match between the Hype Bros and Blake and Murphy. Joe obliterates the Hype Bros while Blake and Murphy make the escape. "William Regal, you won't fight Finn Balor because he's our champion. Look at me Regal, I don't have the NXT championship. Do you know who I blame for that?" Joe implores the sit-in-the-ring-until-he-gets-what-he-wants trope, until Regal comes out. Once again, he turns down a match at Takeover. Joe responds with a chokeout, but after a few uncomfortable moments, Finn Balor makes the save..

The next edition (by my estimation, the Go Home show for Villains) builds to the main event of Joe vs Balor. We get a tease of a match at best, maybe five minutes or so (gotta build to that NEXT Takeover, yeah?), before Tyler Breeze costs Balor the match. A two on one beatdown begins. It lasts long enough for "Regal" chants to build, before the man himself comes running out! The distraction of Joe allows Balor to get the upperhand on Breeze, leaving Regal and Joe to slug it out. Regal gets the upper hand, locking Joe in a Regal Stretch. Joe escapes and runs away. Regal grabs a microphone.

"Samoa Joe, you've cheapshotted me. Choked me out. All in all... I'm unimpressed. At Takeover, I will meet you in this ring, and I will show you what a real Villain can do."

I don't know if I'd book it as a retirement match, but I'd give Regal the pomp and circumstance for it to feel as such. Beyond the home town crowd, William Regal vs Samoa Joe is a wrestling purists dream match! Spectacle in the squared circle.

What do you think Regal's role at Takeover UK should be?

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

I am also a big fan of William Regal. I've read his book and followed his lackluster career and it's one of those cases where you genuinely feel sad for the fact that he was never treated as a serious threat to anyone, despite the fact that he was always so entertaining. His role as General Manager of NXT just fits him very well, because, from what we perceive, he's the guy who "scouts" other talents and he's passionate about all forms of wrestling.

He's been very enthusiast about bringing NXT to England and I think we can feel for the guy, but that doesn't mean he'll be more involved than what he already is. I could see him throw a punch in an annoying jobber or Tyler Breeze, but that would be it. Just a "Yey, he's one of us!" kind of moment. But this is WWE and this is Triple H's project so we have to assume that a lot of ego goes into it.

I think that Kevin Owens was actually the last guy that could have made something really cool with Regal, in order to retire him as you talked about. Now, who would have the honor? Samoe Joe is a babyface and it would be really hard to root for him. It's gotta be a heel and I just don't see anybody that fits the description. Sadly, Regal will not be involved in a match but I am pretty sure we are going to get a good card and be extra-fun, even if only for a segment with Mr. Regal.

 

[Wrestlingaholic]

Is Blackpool not just a house show? I was under the impression that only the Wembley show was a Takeover special

 

[@smarkmouth]

Is Blackpool not just a house show? I was under the impression that only the Wembley show was a Takeover special

My mistake. I think you are indeed correct.

(I acknowledge this post as spam and welcome its deletion if a mod would be so kind as to fix the title for me)

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Regal isn't semi-retired, he's retired. He had surgery last year I believe which effectively put an end to his in-ring career. I'd find the interview but I've not got time as I've almost finished on the toilet so i'll swiftly have better things to do.

He'll certainly get the loudest reaction of the night and i'd expect him to be in the corner of the face headliner on the show and maybe he'll exchange a few punches.

 

[@smarkmouth]

Regal isn't semi-retired, he's retired. He had surgery last year I believe which effectively put an end to his in-ring career. I'd find the interview but I've not got time as I've almost finished on the toilet so i'll swiftly have better things to do.

I can't find any reference to this. Wrestlezone? Pwinsider? It's not that I refuse to believe you, but I have high regard for Regal, and I don't want to believe you. Help me out on your next toilet break.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I was hoping we'd see Regal have a "retirement match" in Blackpool. It really would have been the perfect way for him to end his in-ring career, coming full circle back to his hometown. However, I've seen the pictures following his recent neck surgery, and there's no way he'll be able to get physical...his neck looks like Tyson Kidd's!

I really do hope he'll be there though, it would be great for him to be in front of his hometown friends and family. I'll be giving him a standing ovation if he's there...I may even take a REGAL sign with me.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

He had surgery this week that takes him out of London as it was spinal fusion. He is done.

Regal is the last guy who would be "proud" of anything, if you've ever seen a shoot with him, his speaking tour or even Breaking Ground you'd know that he's the most humble and probably classiest guy in the history of the business. It's why he is so respected and well thought of and has been given chances that others would not have gotten to redeem themselves after multiple fcuk ups. He's never been known to complain about his spot or self-promote backstage, he's brutally honest often to his own detriment (Benoit and his addictions) and has never done it for anything other than his own pleasure at entertaining the fans. He's the guy who wore a showgirl dress and seemed to let someone piss in his tea to get a pop and the guy who shows all those NXT talents (and a lot of the roster) that "What you're doing now may be silly, but if you do it to your best, do it well and respect it, then you'll do better things later". You can't fake what Regal is... no one is THAT good at working...

Long term, provided he stays healthy, Regal will be Trips' number 2 - Ceman may hold the corporate position, but when Vince goes and Trips is "the guy", it'll be Regal who holds Trips' current role - overseeing NXT and the main roster talents on the day to day basis.

It's why they keep him in NXT now, despite him being arguably as valuable onscreen for the main roster or backstage. By the time Vince is gone and Trips is the guy, Regal will have trained most of the main roster... so he'll fit right into the planned role, have everyones respect and it will smooth the waters in a post Vince WWE. #smart