A veteran voice in professional wrestling is sounding the alarm about dangerous in-ring maneuvers and their potential for long-term health consequences.
A Lifetime of Bumps: Regal Warns of Neck Injuries
William Regal, a Vice President of Global Talent Development, publicly shared a stark warning on social media Sunday morning, detailing the physical toll wrestling has taken on his body and expressing concern over increasingly risky techniques.
- Regal revealed he suffered two broken necks – in September 1993 during a match and in a 1997 car accident – but concealed the injuries from others.
- He lamented that despite the tragic death of Mitsuharu Misawa, a wrestler who died from a spinal injury, high-risk moves have become more prevalent.
- Regal noted that fellow wrestlers, including Bryan Danielson, live with chronic neck pain that impacts their daily lives.
- He stressed that no amount of fame or money is worth the potential for debilitating, long-term injury.
Regal, who rarely posts publicly, made it clear his message wasn’t intended to ignite debate. Instead, he spoke candidly about the physical realities of the profession. “I stay off here but was alerted to something today that has alarmed me. I don’t read any comments so don’t waste your time trying to argue or justify your very wrong opinions on this,” he wrote. “I broke my neck twice, 9/93 in ring and a car wreck in ‘97 and stupidly never told anyone. And I was taught properly how to bridge and not land on the top of my head. It’s a skill that maybe 99.9 % of people don’t know or will ever learn anymore.”
Regal explained he continued wrestling while concealing serious injuries, relying on techniques and knowledge that are now less common. He pointed to the 2009 death of Mitsuharu Misawa as a moment he hoped would lead to a decline in risky practices, but believes the opposite has occurred. “After Misawa San passed from his neck problems I thought it would stop this nonsense but it’s got worse and whenever I talk to people about them doing it it’s ‘well it doesn’t hurt….’ Believe me it will,” he stated.
The Daily Grind of Chronic Pain
The wrestling executive also revealed that colleagues, including Bryan Danielson, experience daily neck pain similar to his own, describing it as a constant struggle that affects sleep and overall quality of life. “It’s a daily misery and sleep and every other aspect of your life is more than hard,” Regal shared.
What is the long-term cost of high-impact wrestling moves? Regal’s answer is blunt: the potential for lasting damage far outweighs any perceived glory. He stressed that no level of fame or money is worth the long-term consequences of repeatedly landing on the head or neck. “Money and whatever nonsense fame is supposed to be is not worth the pain or supposed two evening glory you get from these ridiculous moves dropping yourself on your head.”
He concluded with a direct warning to younger wrestlers, acknowledging that many may dismiss his concerns but hoping some will heed his advice before it’s too late. “Stop it now if you want a decent quality of life after Wrestling… broken necks or death are not something you should think is tough or cool. It’s idiotic thinking.”
Regal’s message serves as a sobering reminder from someone who has experienced the consequences firsthand. His statement is a direct and personal warning about the physical realities of the industry.
William Regal Issues Stark Warning on Dangerous Wrestling Moves and Long-Term Neck Damage
