WWE Gimmicks That FAILED The HARDEST Every Year (1985-2025)
28. ‘Real Man’s Man’ Steven Regal (1998)
'TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!'. He's a man, oh such a maaaa-aaaa-aaan. He's a reeeeeeal, real maaaaaan's man. He also looks positively ecstatic to be at such a low ebb in his career. William Regal was still Steven Regal when he joined the WWF from WCW in 1998 and was given a hard hat. Was that incase he hit his head when falling from the main event scene? Not quite.
"Not quite" is doing more heavy lifting than construction worker Regal did.
Things got off to a bad start for William when he fell asleep during a meeting with Vince McMahon. The legend was going through serious personal issues and addiction problems at the time, which is horrible, and it's a good thing he was able to kick out and rebuild his career. The 'Real Man's Man' run doesn't get a pass though.
There was nothing to like about it other than WWE trolling Regal years later before he wrestled Daniel Bryan. The production truck played his old theme for a giggle, and you've got to give them some credit - that was hilarious, but it would've reminded William of a stressful time in his life and career.
What was the point of this? If it was, 'OK, you're gonna be a member of The Village People and have poor matches', then bravo. Mission accomplished. Things turned around for Regal in 2000, but he was lost for a few years there. Thank God he was able to clean up his act and become such an integral part of WWF telly, but that lumberjack/construction worker gimmick was trash.