Product Description

Born Darren Matthews, by the age of 15 Regal was taking on allcomers in a Blackpool fairground wrestling booth. He travelled the world and fought the old-time favourites loved by millions of Brits: Giant Haystacks, Big Daddy and Kendo Nagasaki. Soon the glitzy world of US professional wrestling beckoned -- and that's where his life fell apart. By day he was wowing crowds with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the wrestler's art and a toff's act guaranteed to get fans hot under the collar. By night he was guzzling any kind of drug he could get his hands on -- and blotting out his problems with booze. In 2003 Regal suffered a heart attack which almost ended his life -- never mind his career. Yet autumn 2004 sees his triumphant return to the ring. With an unsentimental eye, he recalls just how he pulled himself back from the brink of destruction. He describes life on the road with World Wrestling Entertainment -- the biggest showbiz juggernaut this business has every known. And he reveals how he's battled back to become one of the best loved, and hated figures in the colourful world of sports entertainment. There's even a few juggling midgets thrown in for good measure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31017 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

About the Author
Neil Chandler is a sports and media journalist who is amongst the top writers on World Wrestling Entertainment in the UK. He is the wrestling correspondent of the Daily Star.

Customer Reviews

Regal, a lucky Man
I have followed the career of Darren Matthews for some time and anticipated this biography to be a real insight into one of the most under-rated speakers in modern wrestling today. Regal has done it all, both in wrestling terms and drugs. He talks candidly about his drug abuse and is very honest in opinions of himself. The early days are a joy to read, especially for those who can remember Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks, Dave 'Fit' Finlay and other British greats. Regal is a real 'riches to rags, then back to riches' story. I found myself respecting him more and more as the book went on.
The only negative side to the book is I feel it could be a lot bigger, I felt that his WCW and WWF/WWE career had been edited down, it just seemed that there should be a few more chapters, a few more descriptives on the matches he had. Still a legend.
I work with young people and will happily use Regals story as an example, because he really has turned his life around. An excellent read, a genuine man.

A great read and a great warning to others
I have just finished the book and, for a WWE sponsored title, I found it to be amazingly open and frank (although he does cover the WWE in shedloads of praise which, if what is written is true, then it is deserving). Regal/Matthews talks honestly about his upbringing, life in Blackpool wrestling for Bobby Baron and, most openly, his drink and drug addiction in the late 1990's.

The book could have been longer - I for one would have liked to have heard more stories about life on the road - however the content is all worthwhile and Matthews is devastatingly honest about the reasons for his problems and shoulders all the blame, whilst not coming across at all in a self-pitying manner. He also does a commendable job of explaining in detail the alleged benefits of drink and drugs he mistakenly sought and explaining why they are best avoided - warts and all.

For those who are fans of 'The Good Will Ambassador', or for those less familiar with Regal, particulary his UK and WCW days, this is an entertaining read, particularly for Brits who will love the British sense of humour in which the book is written.

A Great Book If A Little Short
This book is the Autobiography of Darren Matthews, AKA Steven Regal AKA William Regal. It tells of his time wrestling in England in holiday camps and in Blackpool on the pleasure beach. It also tells some of his adventures in Japan and other countries worldwide.
It continues with the injury that would lead to his drug and alcohol addiction. From the UK to his time in the WCW and the WWF when he was a "real man's man" this book really pulls at your heartstrings and you really feel for Darren. I truly believe this book is fantastic but I could of read another couple of hundred pages.

Overall, a great book, if a little short. Still worth buying and adding to your collection. A must for any wrestling fan.