William Regal is asking people to donate to organizations that are caring for two injured Japanese wrestling veterans.
Wrestling legend and current WWE Vice President of Global Talent Development, William Regal, made headlines a few days ago when he sent out a stern warning to current wrestlers about performing unnecessary high-risk moves and the consequences of ignoring neck injuries.
William Regal’s tweet received polarizing responses from fans and wrestling personalities. Now, Regal has once again taken to X/Twitter to post what he described as could be his “first and only message this year involving wrestling.” Regal noted that he’s been using the platform to warn and help future talent on how to be safer without ever asking for a thank you.
William Regal Did Ask For One Thing
He did, however, ask for one thing: anyone who has earned even a single cent using his name in 2025 should consider donating a portion of those earnings to the organizations caring for his friends and Japanese wrestling legends Shinjiro Otani and Yoshihiro Takayama. He also urged donors to do it anonymously, without seeking tax benefits or trying to appear charitable online, saying that it’s the right thing to do.
“My first and maybe only message this year involving Wrestling. FYI, I never read anything unless it’s old wrestling or music and old comedy so save the typing time and your head space by replying. I wish you all contentment, happiness and good health. I won’t be reading anything except my x2 weekly look at old wrestling. Too many people from too many companies send me all the things I do or don’t need!,” William Regal wrote.
“I have been using this platform since 2014 at least to warn and help future talent that I can’t talk to directly. Over 32 years in the US and Japan showing people how to be safer if they wanted to know or listen without ever asking for a thank you. I’ll quote my dear friend of 26 year Samoa Joe and say “ it’s a laundry list” of people.
“I will ask this though. If you’ve made 1 cent of using my name in 2025, please send that money to the official organizations who care for my friends @otani_shinjiro and @Takayamado. Press the anonymous button as it’s not a tax right off for you or you to try and look like nice people. It’s the right thing to do. To everyone else, best wishes for 2026,” William Regal posted.
What Happened To The Veterans?
Shinjiro Otani is known for his stint in New Japan Pro-Wrestling from 1992 to 2001. He’s held several titles, including the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. He also co-founded the Pro Wrestling Zero 1 promotion. He sustained a cervical spine injury in 2022, which has left him paralyzed from the neck down. His promotion Zero 1 does annual benefit shows to raise money for Otani’s medical costs. One such event took place yesterday through Zero 1’s affiliate promotion. NJPW also donated ¥3,000,000 for the cause back in 2023.
The other veteran William Regal mentioned was Yoshihiro Takayama. He’s competed across several Japanese promotions, including NJPW and NOAH, and is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He sustained a cervical spinal cord injury in 2017 after landing on his head attempting a sunset flip during a match, which left him paralyzed from the shoulder down.
DDT Pro-Wrestling and Takayama’s close friend and wrestling legend, Minoru Suzuki, announced the creation of the ‘Takayamania Foundation,’ set up to help Takayama and his family with his medical costs through benefit events, merchandise, and donations. WWE Japan donated ¥193,947 to the foundation back in 2017.
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