Reggeization of gauge vector mesons and unified theories

An arbitrary, renormalizable non-Abelian gauge theory with gauge group $\mathfrak{g}$, and arbitrary scalar and fermion representation structure is considered. It is shown that all the gauge vector mesons of the theory lie on a Regge trajectory if and only if $\mathfrak{g}$ is semisimple, i.e., Abelian subgroups are excluded. Implications for unified and grand unified theories of the weak and electromagnetic interactions are discussed. The photon, which does not Reggeize in the Weinberg-Salam theory, will lie on a Regge trajectory in a grand unified theory. If the Higgs-meson mass of the electroweak theory is large (≳ 300 GeV, say), then Regge recurrences of the intermediate vector bosons should occur at energies of the order of 2-4 TeV. If the Higgs boson of the unified theory is light (< 100 GeV), then Regge recurrences of the gauge mesons are not expected for energies below the grand-unification mass of order ${{\mu }_W}^2$ $\exp \left(\frac{1}{g^2}\right)$.