Jim Cornette on William Regal Returning To WWE As A Vice President

From Episode 273 of the Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@richardwilliams5387]

AEW really dropped the ball not making him a (real) Executive or head of talent relations.

[@Pesticle]

he'd probably just go over to WWE still with an even more comprehensive grasp on how AEW is fucking things up

[@brizwaldjonson]

AEW Vice President's are indie spot monkeys.

[@richardwilliams5387]

@@joegreene7619 Everyone in the industry who talks about him always mention his skill at speaking to younger talent and giving them valuable advise about various aspects of the business and many current and former talents have nothing but good things to say about him. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone talking shit about him. He's got literal decades in the business (which separates him from 90 percent of current Execs who are mostly from outside the business or writers who don't give a shit about it and see it merely as a resume filller for an eventual Hollywood career) you say he has no experience, I'd argue he has exactly what is missing in today's product.

[@maddogdan]

@@richardwilliams5387 exactly, well said

[@ronniejdio9411]

Literally anyone with exoeeiance could help khan. Anyone

[@al5306]

- 39 years in the wrestling business - worked for WCW and WWF/E - worked behind-the-scenes in NXT, the most successful developmental program ever - respected by many in the business Tony Khan: I think I'll make him the manager of a babyface stable. 8=3

[@dtop668]

I have no insider knowledge, this is just what I've read. Regal went to AEW just to be an on-screen talent. He was burned out from all his off screen duties in WWE but wanted to stay in the business.

[@billywashere6965]

@@dtop668 He literally said this during his Inside The Ropes interview. He was mostly hands-off with AEW, and literally said most of his dealings was just training in the ring and training with Danielson and Yuta before/after the show.

[@al5306]

@@billywashere6965 No lol what he said was he was trying to give advice to everyone and even offered to help everyone in the ring before shows. The only people who showed up were the people you mentioned. It’s common knowledge that the locker room is like high school and most of the talent don’t want advice from veterans.

[@zacwoods]

Dont forget he trained 2 of the 5 most gifted technical wrestlers ever outside of himself in Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli. Those two are his real crowning achievements in the business. The jewels on that crown he always theoretically had being William Regal and all.

[@SairajRKamath]

Regal should shout *"Blood and Guts!"* at the next WarGames. That would be funny as hell.

[@dngn4774]

If he was into that sort of comedy, he’d still be with AEW.

[@Jefso1404]

@@dngn4774 Ganso

[@drewburnettepodcasts]

@@dngn4774 Not my personal taste, but I think he was into the comedy. He kept defending it saying wrestling is suppose to be a circus. Doubt they forced him to sell Danhausen's curse or made him flirt multiple times with sockface on commentary.

[@captainthiccnick]

​@Torrence Kingman *glass shatters*

[@thegame7134]

“You’ll be showing your BLOOD and your GUTS in…. WAR GAMES!”

[@TheOrlandoTrustfull]

Regal knows more about psychology and in ring skill than the entire AEW roster combined

[@ponokanaka]

Sad thing is only handful of guys, sometimes a few, per Brian Pillman, would show up to listen to Regal try to teach. Most of those indy guys think they already know how to draw. They did the same to Punk, who they said used to leave his door open and watch matches for younger guys when they asked him to. Most of the AEW guys think they’re already made men

[@packleader1215]

Our country needs a psychologist as a president

[@matthewtufford7145]

regal is a bum jobber lol

[@coreyhall1150]

Yep and NONE OF THEM took advantage of that cause "We dont want toooooooo we wanna play with our friiiiieeeennnnds". Smfh

[@BradenWalker1]

the Cucamonga kids n twinkle toes

[@MichaelSmith-fq6hz]

I took it as a shot against EC3, who stated that Regal was mad no one listened to him down there.

[@Epsilonsama]

Ricky Starks said in an interview that he trained with Regal every week and he is going to miss him. Something tells me when Ricky's deal is up he going to go call Regal.

[@kyle87436]

Hope not. I'm a Starks fan but I hate WWE formula and sanitary clean safe corporate style and I have "drop dead" heat with Logan Paul and Seth Rollins.

[@MrSircharles05]

@@kyle87436 seems like now we need an alternative to WWE AND AEW

[@TheMrAlgoh]

@@kyle87436 Fact is, AEW's booking is abysmal compared to WWE's. AEW is on life support with MJF. They're driving viewers away with the rotten Elite's whatever series, Look at all the momentum they've killed off - Danielson, Wardlow, FTR, Miro, Kingston. The stuff they're doing with the Bloodline on WWE is great storytelling stuff and really getting everyone over in the group. I'd add in Adam Cole too, he's buried sooo bad, he lost to Pockets of all people (everyone knows whoever wrestles Pockets gets buried, I can't name one person whose ever gotten over wrestling Pockets) and repeatedly lose to that empty head Hangnail Page.

[@kyle87436]

@@TheMrAlgoh You make some good points. I think both companies are in a tough spot. I personally will fast forward through about 30% of an AEW broadcast but I have to FF about 80% of WWE to not be annoyed or angry.

[@TheMrAlgoh]

@@kyle87436 I'm curious though, why do you hate Seth Rollins?

[@matthewhostetter8974]

This is the perfect role for Regal, it sucks we can't see him on stream for a year, but he has more than deserved a VP role. Lord Vice President Regal, has a nice ring to it.

[@leir2005]

When it comes time for war games, hopefully they will use some old footage of Regal to make it look like he was actually there

[@johnchhouk6551]

So, he's also a time lord now?

[@royalty843]

Lord Chancellor would be more like it

[@Yoni123]

We don't even know what his role will be so how do you know? We only know the title

[@biga.b.1079]

It’s amazing how Travis can draw just a few lines and you immediately know who it is and what they’re thinking.

[@Yoni123]

Amazing? That's the basics of drawing...

[@da5e]

@@Yoni123 Exactly. Sometimes the basics, executed well, are what you need. There's a limit to how much Neil Peart drumming you could put on an album like Reaper Subconscious Guide by Furze - sometimes technical isn't what's needed.

[@davidepannone6021]

@@da5e I think people said in a previous comment i left similar to yours, that he's not really drawing these from scratch. It's using pre existing pictures and applies some sort of filter to make them look like this. I don't know how truthful that statement was as i know nothing about digital art, so yeah. Take it with a grain of salt as i did back then. As i said, im just reporting about what i was told.

[@velldeak5195]

Tony Schiavone while on a stake out "Man, I am digging this"

[@whydoesthisexistpod]

I wonder if they could give Regal the Jack Tunney treatment for the year where we don't see him but can hear his voice or get "direct orders" from him in storylines.

[@mr.x9566]

As a kid, i could never fathom why people disliked Jack Tunney (the character). Always thought it was funny how he'd d always get booed just before making any announcement, even if it was fan-friendly. Strange how he's not in the WWF Hall of Fame.

[@InfiniCalendar]

The Powers That Be

[@zitronoslen]

Oooh so anticipating regal going from wwe to aew back to wwe. There is way more talent and ideas out there besides these bs same stories. Nick khan and shad khan have way to much power over the ppl.

[@SamsarasArt]

That's kind of how he was in NXT.

[@whydoesthisexistpod]

@@SamsarasArt I guess but we actually saw him. Jack Tunney was very rarely on screen.

[@mickeymojito]

Tony misusing Regal and letting him go feels like his biggest mistake yet

[@maynardperalta3188]

Which says a lot because as far as mistakes go, Tony has had some bangers.

[@JenzKeller]

I want him to return to the "Real Man´s Man"-theme.

[@8Bitorbust]

The world isn't ready for that return.

[@pens87668]

@@8BitorbustI am. HES A MAN! SUCH A MAN!

[@theghostofthomasjenkins9643]

@@8Bitorbust the world will never be ready. that's why it has to happen.

[@8Bitorbust]

@@theghostofthomasjenkins9643 You're right!

[@MisterE1976]

@@pens87668 "He's a reaaaalllll,real man's maaaannn!"

[@JUYAN16]

I've been rewatching old WCW matches recently. Mostly with Dean Mylenko and Reagal. Those guys were brain surgeons of wrestling.

[@SIXTHREEONEFOURTHREENIONEOOSEV]

SO KEWL SO TRUEEEEEEEEEE

[@8bitorbust-w3n]

FACTS!

[@KaiTakApproach]

Regal was such a highlight whenever he was on the air for AEW. I was really impressed with everything he did. I think he is worth his weight in gold and wish him the best. I look forward to seeing him on TV again.

[@Ted_Bell]

Lol

[@BradenWalker1]

When I was a kid regal was literally my favorite pro wrestler.... Power of the punch. I remember when he hit big show wit the knucks n show fell on top of him n he cudnt get him off

[@8Bitorbust]

Regal is literally one of the best technical wrestlers I've ever seen. I mean I'm merely a fan and my wrestling experience is limited to being super plexed from the top turnbuckle and body slammed to a ring apron so my knowledge is ****. Or let's say I don't know ****.

[@elpipiripau7647]

WWE sees Regal for who he is and what amazing value he brings to the table...At AEW he was just "another washed up legend" in the back...

[@QAZ-OMEN]

When Regal can return on screen again it will be perfect timing for Charlie Dempsey to debut on the main roster.

[@8Bitorbust]

I howled with laughter. This is priceless.

[@coryfusting9294]

Gonna be a banger when he walks down that aisle and says "WARGAMES!"

[@rubenarriaga3029]

Can’t show up to TV for a year

[@strifenineteen]

Technically he can't be seen on tv but they could use him as a sound bite saying Wargames while showing a picture or slowed down video of his previous time in NXT.

[@marcusrichards5254]

Booker of the year logic 🤣🤣🤣

[@derekjf4311]

AEW loves to assume that everyone knows everything which is why they have so many debuts and just assume you know who the people are.

[@segagenesis7708]

Regal's probably talking about Tony too.

[@jamievalvano8737]

Wouldn’t have been cool AF if an ambulance pulled up backstage at Smackdown and Regal emerged.

[@Clubber-Slang]

After the year that he can't can't on TV?

[@Fortyozkilluh]

imagine if vince comes back and fires everyone again... pure chaos! lol

[@Chaz4543]

How does a guy who embodies the old school wrestling style train people who are totally into the modern style ? I dont quite understand how that works. How does he train people who wanna do flips, dives, and ballet style wrestling ?

[@michaeluhlir9009]

You can still teach selling, how to work a crowd, how to cut a promo, I'm sure there are thousands of little things to teach beyond the scope of working an old school arm bar. Just because a dude is a high flyer doesn't me they can't be taught everything else

[@tommyfraz.]

I don’t watch modern wrestling, but I watched the Christian Cage/Omega match when I heard Christian won. The flips and ballet can “work”, but you have to slow it the hell down. Stop treating finishers as transitional moves you don’t even attempt a pin. Also, don’t have 12 signature moves If you’re going to do something, make it make sense. For example. If you Do the triple super kick, walk over and “humiliate” your opponent. Slap them in the back of the head, yell at the crowd, Give us a reason why that’s not a three count.

[@insupportofjunhado]

Well, Jim and Brian did quote EC3, but even then they said "according to EC3".

[@HoNeYzaBEAST]

sadly regal was seen as a "wwe guy" and the majority of the aew roster seen him as the enemy they really missed a opportunity to improve there roster with his experience

[@takerdust]

Cornette comparing AEW to Choose Your Own Adventure books is hilarious.

[@aktatiracanal]

Tony Khan can't say he didn't have talented people on the roster or be part of AEW. All Elite is like a collection of pieces from different jigsaw puzzles and Tony can't find the ones that will fit. At one point AEW had Tully Blanchard AND Arn Anderson at the same time, yet they have a problem developing factions. Jake "The Snake" Roberts didn't have to do one backflip, but if you want a master of ring psychology, there he is.William Regal could've been the go between. Commissioner, authority figure...whatever. Someone who could've laid down the law. Or work behind the scenes. And Tony Khan has practically buried ROH, even though the ROH world title could've gone to Bryan Danielson, Jay Lethal or Samoa Joe, not Chris Jericho.

[@aluminumsalmongames6277]

Na, bro. Jericho needs the title, for reasons totally unrelated to his mid-life crisis making him everything he bitched about in WCW.

[@marcusrichards5254]

Very good points

[@billywashere6965]

Word is putting the title on Jerich helped get them the TV deal because he has star power, similar to how it helped prop up mainstream appeal of Dynamite during the early days.

[@richardwolcott5567]

William Regal will do a good job in developing talent.

[@CornPop2]

lol he's like Mr Sluggsworth

[@bearmcquade2846]

Lord Steven Regal is the shit ! I look forward to seeing him !

[@anonymousbo0318]

The fact we're supposed to believe Tony keep a secret interview knowing Regal will screw Moxley weeks in advance, and Moxley didn't beat him senseless is even more ridiculous

[@jamirimaj6880]

This is the rare case when a talent was given a weekly tv time/spot in a main event feud but only wanted a behind-the-scenes spot. Usually, 90% of the time, wrestlers complain about the opposite.

[@clarity2115]

Regal was a treat to watch back in the day

[@packleader1215]

I just bought front row for my local road to WrestleMania show. The superstar experience. Last year I was 7 seats from the ring side corner. This time I'll be RIGHT BEHIND Samantha Irvin and Mike Rome (ring announcers). Plus an autograph, walk the aisle before the show, mini replica belt, a commemorative chair. I'm lightweight hype though. After finally sitting front row, I'll be content sitting anywhere in the upper deck.

[@trurobertson]

Love Regals podcast

[@crazypretzel1012]

I think AEW dropped the ball with having Tony Schivanie doing the detective work on Regal and it should have been Officer Bar Brady 😋 On a side note, when Regal said something in the tweet about those who know him, I immediately thought about Cornette and Last reviewing Shafir's promo and her screaming "you don't know me!!!!!" and started laughing

[@Osc_Gaming]

The story goes Tony Khan has a family member who was going through a medical emergency during this time. It was a very chaotic and troubling event for him. Regal called and they chatted about how important family is so Tony understood why he wanted to go to wwe to train his son. Thus, Regal was able to get out of his contract.

[@roberthiguera2176]

We've known this, Osc

[@jbo8540]

This was the story tony khan told, yes. I heard about it on this channel, funny enough.

[@roberthiguera2176]

@@ithinkaboutthings9052 EC3 said that, no? I thought that's who started the convo that Regal found management immature. I honestly can see that being true. Regal saw them as a sinking ship

[@Osc_Gaming]

@@roberthiguera2176 Sure. But I didn't. And I only pop in once in a while so I like to add some context for those like me. Cheers.

[@roberthiguera2176]

@@ithinkaboutthings9052 didn't say he was a valid source, he did put that out there, though.

[@danielsmith5032]

I wonder if William regal’s tweet is regarding “why” he left AEW. There was a lot of hearsay.

[@Bruv234]

Secret agent man… secret agent man.

[@Mr.Majestic77]

With Vince McMahon returning to run the WWE, William Regal may want to keep his suitcase packed.

[@darksideon]

Who said he's returning?

[@allgelliebeaneverything1247]

WWE is a publicly traded company…Vince’s old rapy ass ain’t coming back. Nick Khan will pull another scandal out his ass lol

[@chadk890]

Vince isn't coming back

[@al5306]

He's not coming back, genius.

[@dominushydra]

Vince is out the picture forever now. Especially with the latest scandal.

[@tidefanman1]

Jim said he would "Literally, ALMOST"put his house on it!!🤣🤣

[@CamPopplestone]

Say what you will about Tony Khan, respect for him letting Regal go back

[@8Bitorbust]

Hot take, Travis is without question the most consistently creative person on the planet and it's not even close

[@8Bitorbust]

@bolmanutebol Absolutely.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

I'm guessing that Regal will probably be in charge of talent development...

[@brandonc2859]

William regal was always an awesome wrestler

[@ramblingRJ]

Can you imagine what happens if Vince comes back. By this time next year, Regal could be out and Johnny Ace might be back.

[@dtop668]

Highly unlikely Vince will ever be back. The WWE is not a wrestling territory, it's an international publicly traded entertainment corporation. It really isn't up to him, it's up to the board of directors.

[@al5306]

@@dtop668 Exactly.

[@robertnapier624]

@@dtop668 plus reputation comes first. Vince returning would be bad for reputation given the controversy he’s still embroiled in.

[@richardcoreno]

Good for him -- Tony Khan's front office Kiddie Corps runs off another adult.

[@chrisrollins52]

William Regal is a Friend of "Hunter Hurst Helmsley "

[@jabrockobiden9434]

Vince needs to come in and kill the WWE to not let someone else do it.

[@rikflare7970]

Come on tony,I wanna spend time with my kids. Next day: REGAL VP AT WWE😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DavidLee-cr4xv]

They should make his title "Executive Vice President"

[@starshipfame1]

At the end, he was talking about people saying he left due to immaturity backstage as well

[@lordbane5627]

From the first time I saw William Regal on TV as a kid, I absolutely hated him - and that's exactly what he was trying to do. Not hate him in like a Young Bucks kind of way where I can't stand watching them and so I won't watch the program altogether, but I hated Regal in that I really wanted to see his opponents beat him. There's very few heels I could say that about. Now as an adult, I love Regal and appreciate what he has brought to the business. The guy is a legend, yet he wasn't insanely tall like The Undertaker, Kane, Kevin Nash or The Giant/Big Show. He didn't have the build or muscles of Hogan, Scott Steiner or Goldberg. He didn't have Bret Hart, Sting, or Shawn Michaels good looks. He didn't have the speed, agility, or ability to do crazy physical feats like Mysterio, RVD or Ultimo Dragon. The guy was a pretty average guy that was simply a master of the ring and human psychology. Outside of his gimmick, the guy is a completely stand up guy that goes out of his way to contribute to the business and teach the younger guys. My biggest and only criticism of the guy is his verbal embracement of modern "sports entertainment," but that just might be lip service to stay on the good side of the companies. I don't care much for modern wrestling (WWF or AEW), but I think this is a great move overall for WWE and it's the kind of thing that gives me hope that one day they might steer the ship in the right direction again and regain my viewership.

[@The__Gent]

Tony Shiv has the inside scoop..."It's Stinnnng!"

[@ScottsCollection]

I wonder what other secret interviews Shivone is sitting on.

[@zitronoslen]

To all you hardcore and casual fans.....why do you watch aew or wwe ? They keep recycling the same products. Ef lame ass regal. Yall deserve more than the miz or the elite every week. You deserve much much more. Wrestling can be way better.

[@TheNightCrawlers44]

*"Gentleman is has been a privilege playing with you tonight"*

[@tommyfraz.]

This is why I think the eLiTe and Punk situation isn’t a work. AeW bungled how they used Regal, so how could anyone believe AeW could pull off a complicated/elaborate angle of this magnitude.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Tony Schiavo decreases the quality of anything he is involved with. An accomplishment considering he's involved with AEW.

[@MrSircharles05]

You could replace him on commentary with the average fan and wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[@Chaz4543]

You can clearly tell hes not a wrestling fan and only does it for the money. Its so apparent.

[@beeaveragegaming3482]

AEW just gave the blueprint to Regal and now they now that TK has no control and its WCW/ECW all over again and they don't need to worry

[@TheeHighKing]

It's 2023 nearly, imagine paying for a ppv lmaoooooooo.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

Vice President of Being a Real Man's Man

[@wadewilson1312]

Say what you want it was nice hearing him on the mic one more in time

[@banesbox]

William Regal in any position is a win for any promotion. The WWE needs a shot in the arm.

[@paulsmith9192]

But if Vince returns,wouldn't he be in trouble? Vince was the one,who fired him

[@andremarc1275]

I remember that Pat Patterson had this title Vice President

[@waynefletcher9690]

Steve Regal WWE Vice president of talent relations!!!!! Only person to do it best at this point was Jim Ross!!!

[@ronniejdio9411]

Aew has no idea how many wrestling fans that dint jeep up with their show. They can't fathom a fan base who aren't IWC indie fanboys

[@MiniLemmy]

Makes me wonder - who the hell are the knob-heads in AEW that wouldn’t listen and take advice from WILLIAM FREAKIN’ REGAL??!!

[@selfiekroos1777]

Why a pic of Schiavone

[@BrandRedacted]

I heard that so e of the young guys in AEW didn't want to listen to his advice. William Regal is one of the few guys in wrestling that if he talks you STFU and listen

[@Jackaljkljkl]

Credit where its due, HHH looks after those who helped him when he was a nobody in the business.

[@colino5056]

VP of Talent Relations now that Johnny Ace is facing accusations? Could just make up a new job for him

[@aFrostySkywalker]

oh mjf is going to wwe just wait

[@jwduckpaddle]

Nice

[@alangreenway6695]

Would you want someone working for you who hated all your childish Vice Presidents andwas best friends with your biggest competitor that they were in constant conversation with?

[@DanielBishop9147]

CORNETTE IS A GOD

[@MrDrmorbid]

No Punk, no Regal, I'm so beyond done with AEW. And mind you, I hated the WWE and McMahon's since like 2010 and tapped out of wrestling.

[@florida_guy03]

At least this company hires FORMER wrestlers as VP’s unlike the glorified indie company that makes current shitty wrestlers vice presidents.

[@russellwortham2902]

I’m so excited if for nothing else than him screaming War Games!

[@ehi80]

Should’ve ended with Moxley beating him up or Regal running and never turning back like Mox said…. The MJF turn on Regal made zero sense

[@richardpreston7333]

I mean, keeping Regal off WWE television is just common sense - he's one of the best promo guys in the business, and WWE fans love *_WAR GAMES_*

[@bearmcquade2846]

Thats why it would be great if we could hear him .Who Im i kidding, not watching wwe

[@peytonlong5573]

Can’t make this shit up

[@fabian4023]

Vince possibly coming back has me feeling nervous for Regal.

[@annamariamichaels1372]

Welcome back your lordship

[@jur5974]

Regal made out like a bandit.

[@ConkersSquirrel]

i think that tweet was directed at EC3s tweet lol

[@garrymclaughlan6433]

He will be future endeavored at some point as the wwe are trying to find another position for him.

[@deyampert3738]

Vince just fired Regal! 😭

[@-Trauma.]

🤔

[@AhtoNajeebRashied]

Peace. Humans.

[@yragcom1]

... and then Vince comes back and fires everybody again.

[@TVindustries5000]

i think the tweet was about EC3. Not jim lol

[@Justin-bo5pg]

So AEW has Regal, who it's said no one showed up to take his wrestling master class except for a very small number of people. You've got Billy Gunn, who his sons criticized the locker room, and he has said very few people come to him or take him up on his offer to help out. You had Punk who people actively told young talent not to listen too. Omega said the most dangerous thing someone can do is listen to and take advice from Jim Cornette. Instead you've got people like Jungle Boy and Pillman talking about how amazing the Bucks and Omega are and modeling there in ring after them...because those are there heros. Up until AEW the Bucks had a cup of coffee on American Television so the only frame of reference that these guys have of the Bucks is a couple hundred people in a barn going crazy for them doing EVERYTHING they know how to do and Meltzer turning into the crazy the world is ending guy shouting about how great the Young Bucks and Omega are because they suck up to him to get good press.

[@packleader1215]

Turtle wins the race

[@phantomdriver2010]

Ontop of everything Regal's son is in NXT so with family and friends populating the E it only makes sense going back

[@hagipilo5017]

Regal checkmated tony

[@TheEnzyme94]

Tony Khanned is such a tool! He had William Regal and let him slip through his fingers. The guy can scout, and train ProWrestling talent! And with all do respect, Q.T. Marshall is no William Regal. And even some Aew main eventers don't have good fundamentals and could have learned from a master like Regal.

[@bearmcquade2846]

He maybe the last man that can fix wrestling! No one listen

[@shaunkenneally7597]

Pat Patterson helped build the WWE 1980s, William Regal BtS in WWE 2022, Seriously what is TK hearing?

[@michaelavarice]

Aew is an absolute joke …it’s where you go to get worse