Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Normally, I reserve this blog to talk about all the greats from wrestling’s past. The subject in this piece wasn’t a wrestler, a manager or promoter…but a huge fan. His name was Regis Philbin…a TV personality often deemed ‘The hardest working man in show business.’ He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for appearing in the most hours on television. While Philbin never wrestled a single match nor booked a card…he was a great believer in the business and would often have pro wrestlers on his various shows.
Philbin’s love affair and loyalty to pro wrestling began early in his TV career. In 1964, Philbin had a local TV talk show that aired in San Diego, California called ‘The Regis Philbin Show.’ Philbin’s show was done a small budget and didn’t have a large production staff of writers and producers. He needed guests and Los Angeles wrestling promoter Mike Lebell saw the opportunity to get his wrestlers on television free of charge and build them up to sell tickets for his shows.
The first wrestler to appear on a Regis show was none other than ‘Classy’ Freddie Blassie. The chemistry between Philbin and Blassie was almost instantaneous and led Philbin to interview more of Lebell’s wrestlers like the Destroyer Dick Beyer and others. It also helped Blassie and Regis develop a friendship that would last until Blassie passed away in 2003.
When Regis’ show got canceled, he eventually returned to work in New York on a morning show and would garner his greatest success. Live with Regis and Kathy Lee became a ratings juggernaut and Philbin never forgot about how pro wrestling helped him earlier in his career. He would return the favor often by having various wrestlers as guests on his show including the likes of Hulk Hogan, Yokozuna, Rick Rude, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. His passion and loyalty to the wrestling business that helped him in his career was evident even if it was done much to the chagrin of his co host Kathy Lee Gifford.
Gifford wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of wrestlers and pro wrestling in general…referring to it as “sleazy.” There was one incident in particular involving Rick Rude that almost caused Gifford to quit the show. Despite Phibin’s co host’s objections…he continued to book wrestlers on the show doing various comedic segments.
Of course it was only inevitable that Vince McMahon and the WWF would book Regis to appear as a celebrity guest at a Wrestlemania. That’s exactly what occurred when Regis was used as a celebrity interviewer and commentator at Wrestlemania VII.
It wasn’t always wine and roses with Regis and pro wrestling. Lanny Poffo recalled on his Genius podcast how difficult Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig was being before a segment on Regis’ show and Regis became enraged and cursed out Poffo threatening to cancel the appearance. Despite the occasional outbursts from Philbin about wrestlers and how some were more difficult to deal with than others…there is no question that he helped play a part in the success of the WWF/E and pro wrestling in general.
WWE issued a statement on Regis’ passing by saying:
WWE is saddened to learn that legendary entertainment figure Regis Philbin has passed away at age 88.
WWE Superstars were frequent guests on Philbin’s morning show, “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,” including Ultimate Warrior, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, John Cena and many more. Philbin even battled the massive Yokozuna in an epic tug-of-war on an episode.
The TV icon was also a memorable presence at WrestleMania VII where he conducted backstage interviews and provided commentary for the main event showdown between WWE Champion Sgt. Slaughter and Hulk Hogan. Regis also appeared on the historic Raw 1000, sending a classy congratulatory message to WWE.
WWE extends its condolences to Philbin’s family, friends and fans.
Regis Philbin was 88 years old at the time of his death.