Despite everything that the title had been through though, there was a great opportunity to begin something of a renaissance in the winter of the year 2000. With the WWE heading to Sheffield, England, for the Rebellion pay-per-view, William Regal was the European Champion at the time and had a match scheduled versus Crash Holly. Had the Englishman been portrayed as the homecoming hero and successfully defended on his home turf, this could have been the catalyst for a return to the belts roots of staging European defences involving European wrestlers. But rather than staging a British Bulldog-like return, Regal couldnt have been a bigger heel if he tried. After receiving a great ovation when he appeared backstage with Michael Cole, a respectful promo soon went awry as the champ began slaying his fellow countrymen and their lack of sporting heroes and essentially buried his country of origin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roSPifQHnUM Another derogatory in-ring segment followed, before a defeat to Crash Holly laid waste to the chance to restore the tradition that the European Championship was originally based upon. With Regals defence in such stark contrast to the inaugural title bout back in Berlin in 1997, it was clear that the strap was a shadow of its former self and that we wouldnt be seeing a revival anytime soon. An opportunity for redemption was completely missed.
