WWE NXT has been without a familiar face for nearly two years after former general manager William Regal passed away after a brief stay in AEW, but Regal was only nine months into the role. Since he left a competing promotion, many are wondering when that will happen. His non-competition clause will be lifted and Regal will be able to return to WWE programming.
According to Fightful Select, Regal’s return to the WWE NXT brand has been talked about behind the scenes in WWE, but nothing concrete has been done and there is no set timetable for Regal’s return. As it stands, Shawn Michaels, senior vice president of talent development and creative, has become NXT’s on-screen figurehead in Regal’s absence. Last month, it was reported that Regal was nearing the end of his enforced hiatus from WWE television.
Regal initially left AEW to help his son Charlie Dempsey and his budding career in WWE. AEW President Tony Khan said he was surprised by Regal’s departure. Regal will only be allowed to assist WWE backstage in 2023, and he is said to be taking on the role of Vice President of Global Talent Development. Since Regal’s return to WWE, Dempsey has appeared on “NXT,” and Dempsey has joined Drew Gulak’s No Quarter Catch Crew pseudo-Blackpool Combat Club, which is a member of Drew Gulak’s No Quarter Catch Crew. appears to be modeled after the group Regal ran in AEW, and recently competed in All Japan. Pro Wrestling challenged AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Katsuhiko Nakajima earlier this month, but Dempsey was unsuccessful in the match.
