The first time I read about AWA Champion Steve Regal and his wife, Cindy Snyder, I felt like one of those true family tales that stay with you. Steve Regal, Mr. Electricity of the American Wrestling Association, was married to Cindy for over 50 years. They were said to have married sometime in the 70s and to have stayed together through every phase of life.
It was reported that they had two children, who are now leading private lives. I completely understand if they want to do that; some of my family members want to stay away from the noise of the internet. Even Cindy came from a spirited background, as the daughter of Wilbur Snyder, an American football player and wrestler. So, I guess wrestling was something of a family tradition.
Steve passed away a few months ago at the age of 73. For all their husband’s accomplishments, his wife and children have maintained their silence and stayed away from the media since Steve passed on in July. That goes on to somewhat mirror the family-like nature of introversion, with attempts to deal with the loss quietly.
About a couple of months after Steve’s passing, news began to trickle onto the Internet. Several wrestling sites shared the news, and so did the National Wrestling Alliance, confirming the death of Steve Regal. The weird thing to many a fan was that he had passed on after his burial in July, while the news only broke some four months later, on December 8, 2025. To this day, no one has ever presented a cogent explanation for this delay.
Various pages posted commemorative messages, with most reports stating that the cause of death has not been determined. Some sources have said it might have been related to heart problems. No one, however, has come out with something concrete to corroborate that. I do remember reading similar incidents in the sporting world where families prefer privacy first before going public. It is tough to lose someone and to deal with the media at the same time.
The NWA sent a tribute mentioning him as a former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion who defeated Denny Brown in nineteen eighty-six and ruled the division that year. This hit hard for many fans whose childhood was filled with wrestling. As I saw people sharing online, it made me think of all the times I feel this hurt when someone from my childhood entertainment passes away. You do not know them personally, yet the loss still hurts.
Some of his supporters even asked why his death was not made public earlier and why it took months to confirm. Nobody knows for sure right now. One thing is certain: he left behind a legacy in AWA and NWA, and he also left behind a family that loved him for more than 5 decades.
My mind is with his wife, Cindy, their children, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Losing a near one is never easy, and the late announcement probably weighed more heavily on his fans who had admired him for so long. You may also be interested in: Vinton Virginia Mourns Ronnie Long After His Sudden Passing
