On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed his match with William Regal at WCW SuperBrawl 1994, the kind of worker Regal was, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On William Regal: “Yeah, he’s awesome. You know, he’s so good. Regal was a big fan, much respect for that European style. I love to watch it. It’s so cool. And the ins and the outs and the reversals and everything, Stuff that you don’t see very rarely. And when it’s done to perfection like Regal does, it’s just magnificent. Plus he’s just a tough sumbitch. He just really is an English bastard.”
On his lengthy match with Regal at SuperBrawl 94: “It was a test. 30 minutes is a long time, And it was pretty solid. You know, with him, when he gets control of you, he tortures you and he punishes you. And it’s like, you’re not out of his grasp ever for very long. And he’s not out of yours for very long. It wasn’t like there was a lot of stopping and starting and rolling out and rolling in. Once it got started, we stayed locked up pretty much for the 30 minutes. It was a true test of where my cardio was, that’s for sure.”
On what he learned from Regal: “Yeah, he took things that you normally would see and you had in your mind, ‘Okay, this is coming up.’ You know, and I don’t have the right example, but he would just — the ins and outs and the chain wrestling were just things that you’d never seen before, and you couldn’t counter it because it wasn’t what you thought was coming, if that makes any sense. You know?”
On whether he knew Regal was going to be special: “Absolutely, absolutely. A different style. And if you take an arm and you grab an armbar on a guy, there’s American ways of getting out of it and there’s European ways of getting out of it. If you’re not familiar with that style, you don’t know What they’re doing, right? I mean, you can tell a guy in the ring, he’s just, if he’s meant to be there. The guy started wrestling probably when he was 16. Wrestling at carnivals and wrestling grown men. You know, it’s a whole different world, back then, it was a rough way to make a living.”
On where Regal ranks as workers in the business: “I don’t know where he fits in that ten. But he’s in the top ten, I would think.”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
William Regal is a name that resonates with wrestling fans around the world. Known for his technical prowess and unique style, Regal has left a lasting impact on the industry. In a recent episode of “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed his match with Regal at WCW SuperBrawl 1994, shedding light on the kind of worker Regal was and the lessons he learned from him.
Anderson expressed his admiration for Regal’s European style of wrestling, stating, “Regal was a big fan, much respect for that European style. I love to watch it. It’s so cool. And the ins and the outs and the reversals and everything, stuff that you don’t see very rarely. And when it’s done to perfection like Regal does, it’s just magnificent.”
The match between Anderson and Regal at SuperBrawl 94 was a true test of endurance, lasting for a grueling 30 minutes. Anderson described the experience, saying, “With him, when he gets control of you, he tortures you and he punishes you. And it’s like, you’re not out of his grasp ever for very long. And he’s not out of yours for very long. It wasn’t like there was a lot of stopping and starting and rolling out and rolling in. Once it got started, we stayed locked up pretty much for the 30 minutes. It was a true test of where my cardio was, that’s for sure.”
One of the most valuable lessons Anderson learned from Regal was the element of surprise in chain wrestling. He explained, “He took things that you normally would see and you had in your mind, ‘Okay, this is coming up.’ You know, and I don’t have the right example, but he would just — the ins and outs and the chain wrestling were just things that you’d never seen before, and you couldn’t counter it because it wasn’t what you thought was coming.”
Anderson had no doubt that Regal was destined for greatness, recognizing his unique style and background. He said, “You can tell a guy in the ring, he’s just, if he’s meant to be there. The guy started wrestling probably when he was 16. Wrestling at carnivals and wrestling grown men. You know, it’s a whole different world, back then, it was a rough way to make a living.”
When asked about Regal’s standing among the top workers in the business, Anderson acknowledged his talent, stating, “I don’t know where he fits in that ten. But he’s in the top ten, I would think.”
William Regal’s contributions to the wrestling industry cannot be understated. His technical skills, unique style, and ability to captivate audiences have earned him a special place in the hearts of fans and fellow wrestlers alike. As Anderson’s insights reveal, Regal’s impact goes beyond the ring, leaving a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of working with him.
Whether you’re a fan of Regal or simply appreciate the artistry of professional wrestling, his legacy serves as a reminder of the diverse talents that have shaped the industry into what it is today.