Darren Matthews
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Darren Matthews aka William Regal (born May 10, 1965 in Staffordshire) is an English professional wrestler performing in World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW brand. Matthews made his ring debut wresting on the piers of Blackpool at the age of fifteen.
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Career
Matthews started wrestling in carnivals in England at a young age. He also wrestled professionally in England before coming to the United States in 1992.
Matthews started in WCW as Steven Regal, beginning as a face. He was turned into the heel Lord Steven Regal in 1993. He was given a manager, Sir William and he won the Television title four times. He formed The Blue Bloods with Alabama-born Bobby Eaton and had some hilarious 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 too. They came close to winning the WCW Tag Team Titles, but never did. Among his feuds in WCW were Ricky Steamboat, Johnny B. Badd, Ultimo Dragon and the team of Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. He was fired from WCW after no-selling Goldberg's Jackhammer and for using chain wrestling moves that showed Goldberg's limited knowledge of such holds.
In the WWF (now the WWE), British born William Regal (as he was now known) was a heel to start out with. He was later the commisioner and turned face by engaging in a rivarly with the WCW/ECW Alliance. Later he turned heel again by betraying then baby face, Kurt Angle and joining the WCW Alliance. He was fired as commisioner by Linda McMahon, but Shane McMahon who was the heel owner of the WCW Alliance hired him as the Alliance Commisioner. After the Alliance broke up he remained a heel but was forced to kiss Vince McMahon's ass so he could keep his job. He would later join with Lance Storm's Team Canada, and the team was renamed the "Un-Americans". 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 pair off into tag teams: Storm/Regal & Christian/Test. Storm and Regal would go on to win tag team gold but Regal would later have to give up his title due to an injury.
Eugene, the "mentally challenged" nephew of RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff, was placed in the care of Regal during his return to the WWE, and the pair went on to feud with his "Uncle Eric." Since Regal befriended Eugene he became a face again.
William Regal teamed with Eugene to win 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 would ultimately cost them the World Tag-Team Championship, as Regal unsuccessfully attempted to defend the titles with annoucer Jonathan Coachman as his tag team partner. The pair wrestled against La Résistance] and went on to lose the match at a RAW-brand house show, crowning La Résistance with their third reign.
On February 4, 2005, Regal and new tag team partner 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 & Tajiri participated in a "Tag-Team Turmoil" match in which four teams competed for the World tag team titles. Regal & Tajiri were eliminated by La Résistance who, in turn, were eliminated by Hurricane and Rosey, who became the new champions.
Profile
- Height: 6'4" (1.93 m)
- Weight: 247 lb (112.03 kg)
- Dominant Hand: Left
- Professional Debut: 1980
- Previous Promotions: All Star Wrestling, Dale Martin Promotions
- Pevious Identities: Lord Steven Regal, "Real Man's Man" Steven Regal, William Regal
- Previous Manager(s): Sir William, Jeeves, Lady Ophelia
- Signature Illegal Object(s): Brass-knuckles, Flag pole + flag (Union Jack)
Finishing/Signature Move(s)
- Power of The Punch (Brass Knuckles punch)
- Regal Stretch (STF variation)
- Running High Knee
- Regal Cutter / Union Jack Neckbreaker (Arm Trap Shoulder Neckbreaker)
- Double Underhook Powerbomb
- European Uppercut
- Double Knee Lift
- Regal Roll (Rolling Fireman's Carry Slam)
- Exploder Suplex
Job titles
- WWE Manager
- WWE Road Agent
- WWE Commissioner
- Alliance Commissioner
Trivia
- Matthews has battled alcoholism and a pain killer addiction in his career.
- His pets include two snakes, eight lizards and a tortoise.
Championships and accomplishments
- 1-Time WWE Intercontinental Champion
- 4-Time WWE European Champion
- 5-Time WWE Hardcore Champion
- 4-Time World Tag-Team Champion (2-time with Lance Storm, 1-time with Eugene, 1-time with Tajiri
Memphis Championship Wrestling
- 1-Time MCW Southern Heavyweight Champion
- PWI ranked him # 196 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
| WWE Intercontinental Championship Reigns | ||
| Preceded by: Edge | First | Succeeded by: Rob Van Dam |
| WWE European Championship Reigns | ||
| Preceded by: Al Snow | First | Succeeded by: Crash Holly |
| Preceded by: Crash Holly | Second | Succeeded by: Test |
| Preceded by: DDP | Third | Succeeded by: Spike Dudley |
| Preceded by: Spike Dudley | Fourth | Succeeded by: Jeff Hardy |
Books
Matthews, Darrin and Chandler, Neil (2005) Walking a Golden Mile, Pocket Books (ISBN-10:0-7434-7634-4)