Darren Kenneth Matthews, better known by the ring name William Regal, is an English retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he serves as the Vice President of Global Talent Development. He is also known for his tenures as a wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and as a manager in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Regal in 2022
Regal wearing his traditional robe during his entrance
Regal is admonished by the referee following a typical heel action while wrestling Cody Rhodes
Regal at No Mercy 2007
Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom
The history of professional wrestling in the United Kingdom spans over one hundred years beginning in the 1920s, when it was popularised under the concept of "All in Wrestling", which emphasised an "anything goes" style and presentation. Following World War II, the style and presentation of professional wrestling in the UK underwent a dramatic shift, as the Admiral-Lord Mountevans rules were introduced to make British professional wrestling appear much closer to a legitimate sport. Professional wrestling entered the mainstream British culture when the newly-formed independent television network ITV began broadcasting it in 1955, firstly on Saturday afternoons and then also in a late-night midweek slot. Domestically produced professional wrestling was at its peak of popularity when the television show World of Sport was launched in the mid-1960s, making household names out of Adrian Street, Mick McManus, Giant Haystacks, Jackie Pallo, Big Daddy, Mark Rocco, Steve Veidor, Dynamite Kid, and Kendo Nagasaki.
Baron Mountevans headed up a committee which created rules for British professional wrestling. These rules were used to legitimatise wrestling to the public as an actual sport, but their actual purpose was to radically alter the style of presentation used.
Image: Doug Williams, 2010 (cropped)
Image: Nigel Mc Guinness, 2007
Image: Pete Dunne UK Champion