On this week’s Gentleman Villain podcast, WWE Hall of Famer William Regal discussed the 2015 NXT San Jose show, which paved the way for large-scale Takeover events.
In NXT, Regal discussed the evolution of the women’s division:
“From the very beginning, the women would be presented just the same as the fellas, Saraya, Emma, and then Charlotte, Becky, Sasha, and Bayley, and it just keeps going. They were going to be an equal part of the show. At many points, they became the biggest part of the show. They are talent, they are athletes, and they’re going to do their thing.”
Regarding Bayley’s character development:
“I thought of that character, and then I met Pam (Bayley) and hired her, and she developed that character with this in mind, between Pam and Dusty and whoever else made that character. They developed that character. This is just what I had in my mind.”
Concerning Sami Callihan and CJ Parker:
“Sami always did great. He always worked hard. He was always well thought of. He might have his story. He asked to leave because he wanted more. He wanted to go and prove itself. He didn’t think he was in the position he wanted to be. He didn’t get let go. Rightly so, everybody wants more sometimes and he left. He left on his own accord. He’s done well. He’s still doing his thing with Impact. Sami always kept busy, but Sami left on his own accord. There can only be one main event or a couple of matches, right? So if you feel like you’re at the peak of your game, and you’re not getting what you want, especially there, you could talk to Triple H and look, I’m not happy here. He would happily let you go and do your own thing. There’s a few people that will tell you that they got let go. They didn’t. They asked to leave. CJ (Parker) (Juice Robinson) asked to leave. He didn’t get let go. I can think of one other person who might tell people that he got let go, but he didn’t the first time. He did not. He came and asked to leave. But I also know within six months, he was asking me to come back.”
You can listen to the complete podcast at AdFreeShows.com.
For those who missed it, you can click here for MJF’s comments on his WWE history with William Regal during AEW Dynamite.
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
