Wrestling legend William Regal has opened up about this "daily misery" of his life as he sent a passionate warning to wrestlers over "idiotic thinking" in the ring.
Brit Regal, who performed for WCW and WWE, is widely seen as one of the greatest wrestlers to never be world champion and had a career which spanned more than three decades.
Known for his technical style and psychology, the former NXT General Manager has proved to be a valuable mentor and coach to many of today's top talents in both WWE and AEW, where he had a short spell before returning to the pro wrestling giants in a talent development and scouting role.
But even when not working, the 57-year-old has been giving out advice to current wrestlers by revealing the struggles he has on a daily basis due to two neck breaks.
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One happened in the ring back in 1993 before a second neck break following a car crash he was involved in back in 1997.
Not typically active on social media, Regal took to X on Sunday to rant about wrestlers choosing to land on their head to make moves look better.
He urged them to "stop it now" if they want a "decent quality of life" after their in-ring careers have finished.
Regal speaks out on "idiotic thinking"
"I stay off here but was alerted to something today that has alarmed me," Regal began in a lengthy post.
"I don’t read any comments so don’t waste your time trying to argue or justify your very wrong opinions on this. I broke my neck twice,9/93 in ring and a car wreck in ‘97 and stupidly never told anyone.
"And I was taught properly how to bridge and not land on the top of my head. It’s a skill that maybe 99.9 % of people don’t know or will ever learn anymore. I kept going somehow but knew all the tricks that again people don’t learn now and watch film and just copy. After Misawa San passed from his neck problems I thought it would stop this nonsense but it’s got worse and whenever I talk to people about them doing it it’s 'well it doesn’t hurt….' Believe me it will . I have people close to me now, Bryan [Danielson] being one, who is suffering daily like myself from his neck.
"It’s a daily misery and sleep and every other aspect of your life is more than hard. Although people use the term tough about me you’ll never hear me say that as I’m not and don’t think I am or have ever been."
He added: "Money and whatever nonsense fame is supposed to be is not worth the pain or supposed two evening glory you get from these ridiculous moves dropping yourself on your head.
"The vast majority of fans don’t know the difference between a vertical suplex and a brainbuster and that’s a far tamer move than many I see now. I’m 57 and become less relevant every day but fame has never been my thing so most of you doing this STUPID stuff are not going to listen to me but hopefully a few do. Stop it now if you want a decent quality of life after "Wrestling because that part of your life will be over before you know it and wrestling done right is hard enough but broken necks or death are not something you should think is tough or cool. It’s idiotic thinking."
Regal also posted a picture of the state of his neck in the form of an x-ray, with other wrestlers weighing in. Matt Hardy, one half of the Hardy Boyz, agreed with the message and replied, "Well said, @RealKingRegal. This is solid advice that every pro wrestler from every promotion should read, digest & bank."
In addition, former WWE superstar and fellow Brit Drake Maverick responded, commenting: "Please listen to the man from his own experience. !!! Your quality of life after wrestling is extremely important !!!!"
Meanwhile, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce simply concurred by quoting and writing, "This" and ECW legend Tommy Dreamer called the statement, "A great post".
His former tag team partner Chris Nowinski, who has been pivotal in concussion research, praised Regal for "wise words".
Many felt as though Regal's comments were a direct response to AEW's Kyle Fletcher landing on his head after taking a top rope suplex from Jon Moxley.
Josh Lawless