10 Most Heartbreaking WWE Releases Ever

William Regal’s January 2022 WWE departure ended a 22-year stretch inside the squared circle. He guided NXT from day one as its on-screen General Manager and later as Vice President of Global Talent Development—handpicking future champions and mentoring rookies behind the scenes. The company lost more than a talent; they lost the cornerstone of their developmental system.

Barely two months later, Regal surfaced at AEW Revolution 2022, trading black and gold for ringside rails with the Blackpool Combat Club. His managerial debut alongside Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley gave the group instant credibility and proved his voice still resonated at a contender’s level.

A favour let him depart AEW at year-end to chase an impossible encore—working alongside his son in WWE’s ranks. December 30 brought his AEW farewell tweet, as fans watched a legend pivot.

Re-signing with WWE on January 4, 2023, Regal slipped back into his VP role, his return greeted with genuine relief from the locker room. Triple H’s camp credited him for rebuilding NXT’s identity, and new recruits cited Regal’s teachings before their first televised match.

Losing Regal exposed how tethered WWE’s future had become to his steady hand. His departure was a harsh reminder that even pillars can be shaken—but his return underlined why his influence remains indispensable.