Steve Regal
Steve Regal | |
---|---|
Born |
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | August 25, 1951
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Steve Regal |
Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Billed weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
Debut | 1977 |
Retired | 1996 |
Steve Regal (born August 25, 1951) is a former professional wrestler, better known as "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal, who competed in North American regional promotions including the National Wrestling Alliance and the American Wrestling Association during the early 1970s and 1980s.
Professional wrestling career
Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Regal started wrestling in 1977 and later achieved his biggest success in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) during the mid-1980s. During his tenure there, Regal defeated Buck Zumhofe for the AWA World Light Heavyweight Championship in 1984.[1] In 1985, the AWA began teaming him with "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin and, with the help of the Fabulous Freebirds, surprisingly defeated The Road Warriors to win the tag title.[2] Regal and Garvin lost the tag title to Curt Hennig and Scott Hall four months later.[2] Regal also made appearances with World Class Championship Wrestling during this time period, challenging Brian Adias for the Texas Heavyweight Title.
The pair then signed to wrestle with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)'s Pacific Northwest Wrestling, where he held the NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship twice.[3] He vacated the title in December 1981 due to an injury.[3]
In 1986, he joined Jim Crockett Promotions, where Regal feuded with Denny Brown and defeated him for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship shortly after his arrival.[4] Regal's stay in the NWA ended abruptly; he soon vacated the title and headed for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).[5]
While with the AWA and NWA, Regal's career appeared to be on the rise, but by 1985, the WWF roster was full of larger athletes and the primary focus was on brawling over science. Despite his talent, Regal essentially became a preliminary wrestler or jobber,[5] the fate of many wrestlers at the time who could not catch on in the WWF without a colorful gimmick. After a short stay, he left the WWF,[5] never again wrestling for a major US promotion. Regal then toured the independent circuit for the next decade, primarily focusing on the Chicago area, until he retired in 1996.
Personal life
Regal is the son-in-law of legendary wrestler Wilbur Snyder. Currently he is an executive with General Motors in their vehicle remarketing division.
Championships and accomplishments
- International Association of Wrestling
- IAW Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- IAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Trevor Adonis
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (2 times) - with Spike Huber[10]
- WCPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WCPW Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Other Titles
- FWA America's Championship (1 time)
- FWA Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
References
- 1 2 "A.W.A. World Light Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- 1 2 3 "A.W.A. World Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- 1 2 3 Duncan, R. and Will, G. (2006). "Oregon: Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories (4th ed.). Archeus Communications. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- 1 2 "N.W.A. World Junior Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- 1 2 3 Cawthon, Graham (2013). the History of Professional Wrestling Vol 1: WWF 1963 - 1989. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 1492825972.
- ↑ "N.W.A. Central States Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- ↑ "N.W.A. (Mid-America)/A.W.A. Southern Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- ↑ "N.W.A. Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- ↑ "P.W.A. Light Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
- ↑ "W.W.A. World Tag Team Title (Indiana)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
External links
- ATY.com - Steve Regal
- Tom Zenk in the AWA: Tom Zenk vs. Steve Regal at the Wayback Machine (archived October 28, 2009)