10 Fascinating WWE WrestleMania 19 Facts
9. William Regal Was Pulled From Tag Title Match With A Life-Threatening Illness
One of the planned bouts for WrestleMania 19 was a Raw-branded Tag Team title match pitting champions William Regal and Lance Storm against the mismatched duo of Rob Van Dam and Kane. By the time 'Mania season was getting into full swing, however, Regal was dealing with a very serious parasite that affected his heart and intestines. The illness, which Regal apparently contracted during a brief tour of India in November 2002, would put Regal out of action for more than one year.
To fill Regal's spot, Eric Bischoff's corrupt assistant Chief Morley (aka Val Venis) partnered up with Storm as defending champions, but it was a moot point: the match was moved to the Sunday Night Heat pre-show, while the Miller Lite Catfight Girls' pillow fight remained on the main card.