Walking a Golden Mile

by Neil Chanlder & William Regal

I have only read two related wrestling books and they have been The Rock's "If you smell what the Rock is cooking" and just until recently William Regal's "Walking a Golden Mile", both are autobiography of each wrestler.

William Regal's book is more suited to my taste out of the two because in a bias view he comes from the same nation as me, United Kingdom. "Walking a Golden Mile" has a lot of areas that I can relate too even mentioning British wrestling companies and owners where I have had training (in this case Oric Williams of BWF in Rhyl, North Wales). The book is mainly focused in my opinion on his related drugs and drink problems that have been a major issue that has impacted his life and the book describes his emotions and the problems he has to deal with. Don't worry though it is not a religious ranting, as you discover William Regal is not that religious. One thing that worries me though is that I can see the book not appealing to every wrestling fan outside of the United Kingdom as a lot of people, scenarios and grammar given are very British and are not known worldwide even though there is a glossary at the back to help identify what Regal is talking about. Please don't let this fool you, especially if you are from outside the United Kingdom as this gives a great depth in British life, more in the case of the working class.

I am a huge William Regal fan, not only because he is British but because of his ring style and able to adapt into his character's gimmick. The book mentions his way of getting know and also exploring different parts of Europe and other continents before arriving in the good old USA. Regal does not bash any wrestlers, I believe Goldberg was the only wrestler he does not think to highly of but the scenario is explained inside. Triple H, Ric Flair, Chris Beniot, Steve Austin and more are mention with full praise and this was before they arrived in the WWE. The autobiography describes his venture into painkillers, drugs and drinks when he reached the big companies such as WCW and WWE and how he and other around him during this period reacted. I found it a great read but young wrestling fans especially with little knowledge of the United Kingdom I can imagine would not find it appealing until later on when the book reaches the stages he is at with playing the role of Eugene's mentor.

One criticism from me personally about the book is that I wish as a huge wrestling fan that he expressed his personal feelings in more depth towards certain roles such as the whole 'Un-American' faction with Test, Christian and Lance Storm and then breaking away and becoming tag team partners with Lance Storm. He describes a bit but not enough to me as a fan of the whole gimmick he played.

Rating: I can not rate this book as my rating would be bias with Regal being a favourite of mine but for though wanted to know how back in the day when wrestlers in the United Kingdom struggle to get recognised (Before the Wrestling Channel) and learn about one factor that has ended some major superstars lives due to drugs and drink and how Regal over came his addiction then this is a fantastic read.

Reviewed by Samuel Burgess on July 6, 2006.

Walking a Golden Mile

by Neil Chanlder & William Regal

Description: I pretty much agree with Samuel Burgass' review of this book. It was a great read. It was fun and he expressed his thoughts for the most. It was fun reading about how he broke into the business and how he eventually rose up to semi-popularity on his side of the world at the time. As an American, I could only relate to a few things he talked about, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book.

I'm not biased, so I think I'd be able to give it a much fairer rating... a 4/5. The only reason why it's not a full five is because he doesn't go into detail about some of the angles he had been involved in, including gimmicks and such. If you're British and have a much better understand of his background, it could very well be a 5/5 rating. I highly, highly recommend it!

Reviewed by Jesse Lee on August 19, 2008.