It is unfortunate that the first wrestling blog I am typing has to be so sad and tragic.
Perhaps, it would be something you could call disappointing...Royally disappointing. I am indeed saddened and ashamed by one of my all-time favorite wrestlers, William "Shortest Reigning King of the Ring in History" Regal.
I am ashamed right now, but not as ashamed as Darren Matthews, the man who played William Regal on RAW. In the midst of the biggest push of his career, Mr. Matthews was suspended 60 days today for violating the WWE's Wellness Policy.
What is sad about this is not just the fact that a great wrestler and fresh face in the main event scene has disgraced himself and WWE yet again. What is truly sad is that Darren Matthews has had a history of drug and personal problems, much like the late, great Eddie Guerrero.
From his addiction to painkillers to a rare illness he encountered from a wrestling tour in India way back in 2003, the man fans know as William Regal overcame the odds to have great success.
That success was well-deserved. After all, Darren Matthews has honed his technical and mat-based ring style to perfection for years. Once back from his life-threatening illness, Regal formed popular teams with Nick "Eugene" Dinsmore and Tajiri, en route to two reigns as RAW's World Tag Team Champion.
- B/R Ticket Guide
After numerous stints on RAW and Smackdown!, Matthews finally hit the stride he had not graced since his run as commissioner back in 2001. When he became Vince McMahon's on-air associate and later general manager of the flagship program RAW, the Blackpool native was able to utilize his superb mic skills.
His most recent run did not stop there, though. It was only the beginning, as Matthews won the King of the Ring tournament a few weeks ago, when he defeated CM Punk in the final round.
The win could have been attributed to Vince McMahon's confidence that the man known as William Regal could actually draw major heat and be taken seriously as title contender with the right booking. Weeks followed and Matthews garnered the biggest heat of his career, which is a key to a heel's longevity.
Yet despite the ultimate vote of confidence by Vince McMahon, Darren Matthews made the same idiotic mistake he made last year—he violated the Wellness Policy.
What is tragic is not the fact that he is suspended for the second time in two years, but the fact that Vince McMahon PAID FOR HIS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION years ago.
What is tragic is that the man who became WWE's hottest heel screwed himself yet again. Think about it for a second. Darren Matthews has failed a test of or violated the Wellness Policy at least twice. He has also had his own boss pay for his rehabilitation in years past.
Now I ask myself as many wrestling fans may do the same: "Why Regal? Why?" The man never had the best physique, but physique may only get you so far. It is unclear how Regal violated the policy this time, but steroids or some type of "performance enhancer" could be speculated.
Whatever it may be, Darren Matthews did not just do a disservice to those like myself, who invested time in his ring character and storyline, but also to himself.
He is not young like Mr. Kennedy. The window for opportunity at the main events is closing for Darren Matthews.
Actually, this Wellness Policy violation may have shut that window for good. Darren "William Regal" Matthews went from one of wrestling's greatest success stories to another disappointment.
Even though his wrestling career is in his latter stage, hopefully Regal can finally eliminate the demons that have been in and out of his life throughout the years. More than any world championship, defeating his demons once-and-for-all would be the greatest victory for Darren Matthews.
—Fred "The F-Bomb" Richani
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6 months ago
First of all I want to say GREAT first wrestling blog!
I'm am deeply disappointed with Regal. He was doing a GREAT Heel GM job by pissing off fans. Regal has such a great talent with the mic, and he's still good in the ring (especially at his age).
But it's sad to see he pissed it all way (pun intended). With his history, he has no one to blame but himself. I can't see him coming back after his 60 days are up. I can see him re-entering rehab, or possibly being released (I hope not).
If he does come back, he won't get another shot like Jeff Hardy will get.
6 months ago
i think regal was just doing the same thing that the rest of those guys r doing just look at some of them u cant look like some of those guys and not b on something if u gone get 1 get them all!!!
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