One of the highlights of William Regal‘s time as Raw General Manager was the way he would introduce Umaga.
That seems an odd thing to single out. Regal had some incredible moments during that run, including booking himself to win the King of the Ring, and taking Raw “off the bloody air” during a huge WWE Championship match.
However, the thing fans most remember from this era was the way William Regal pronounced Umaga. For a reason unbeknownst to most, he would say the Samoan’s name as “Umanga”, or “You-Manga”.
This is not an English accent thing. There is no “n” in “Umaga”. He was simply saying the word incorrectly.
However, there was a very good reason for that.
William Regal said Umaga’s name wrong constantly because it was a way for fans to remember him. His role could have been dull, and easily forgotten had he not jazzed it up.
Introducing Umaga as “You-manga” did just that. He even accompanied the Samoan Bulldozer to the ring for his WrestleMania 24 clash with Batista, so the association was clearly there.
William Regal admitted that for the first time in a Tweet in 2013. He said he did it so people would remember it, which would help get both men over.
That is some sound logic. It does seem silly at first, but nearly two-decades later, and we all remember it. Regal must know what he’s talking about.
“People ask me a lot why I used to say Umanga the way I did.It was so people would remember it.I’m glad I did.A great man.”
He explained it again, two years later. This time, he spelled it “You-manga”, and said that he did it, so people would remember him saying it. Regal added that “when you’re normal, you have to be extraordinary”.
“A tip.I used to say You-manga because I knew it would make people remember me saying it.When you’re normal you have to be extraordinary.”
