The wrestling world lost a legend of the territory system earlier this 12 months, though news of his passing went many months without reporting.
In keeping with PWInsider, an obituary for “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal was found recently, revealing that the previous AWA World Tag Team Champion died in July. There was no reason behind death given. Regal died on July 30, on the age of 73.
“His spirit lives on within the echoes of his kindness, the heat of his embrace, and the sunshine of his enduring love,” his family wrote.
To not be confused with Lord Steven Regal, who went on to turn into WWE’s William Regal, “Mr. Electricity” Steve Regal was a staple of the territories within the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Getting his start in 1977, Regal wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance, the American Wrestling Association, and even spent a temporary time within the WWE during its late-80s expansion. A pioneer of smaller, junior-heavyweight wrestling, a precursor to the cruiserweights we all know today, Regal held quite a few titles during his profession, including the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, the AWA World Light Heavyweight Championship, and the PWA Light Heavyweight Championship.
While he mostly wrestled for Jim Crockett Promotions and the WWE, he spent the last 7 years of his profession in Chicago, IL, where he was a daily presence in Windy City Pro Wrestling, even happening to win the WCPW Heavyweight Championship before his retirement in 1996.
Regal joins WWE HOF Hulk Hogan, former ECW Champion Sabu, broadcaster Bob Caudle, Chicago Bears linebacker Steve “Mongo” McMichael, and the opposite wrestling legends and luminaries who’ve passed away this 12 months.