WWE legend William Regal made a rare social media appearance to deliver a sobering message about wrestler safety, revealing he secretly competed with two broken necks and now suffers daily consequences.
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The 57-year-old posted an X-ray of his damaged neck alongside a lengthy warning about dangerous head-drop moves becoming commonplace in modern wrestling. "I broke my neck twice, 9/93 in ring and a car wreck in '97 and stupidly never told anyone," Regal wrote, explaining he continued wrestling by relying on old-school bridging techniques that younger wrestlers no longer learn.
Regal specifically cited Bryan Danielson as someone now "suffering daily like myself from his neck," describing their condition as "a daily misery" affecting sleep and every aspect of life.
The British wrestling veteran expressed frustration that dangerous moves have increased rather than stopped after Mitsuharu Misawa's death from neck injuries.
"Whenever I talk to people about them doing it it's 'well it doesn't hurt....' Believe me it will," Regal warned. He dismissed the notion that performing risky maneuvers demonstrates toughness: "broken necks or death are not something you should think is tough or cool. It's idiotic thinking."
The post serves as a rare public plea from one of wrestling's most respected figures, urging current performers to prioritize long-term health over short-term acclaim before permanent damage occurs.