var %x, %i = $regsub($1-,/(^[^<]*>|<[^>]*>|<[^>]*$)/g,$null,%x), %x = $remove(%x, )
The reason for the %i variable is simply to give the regsub a way to be evaluated. The %i is not the important part here, the $regsub is.
He can't take the %i away, since that would mean the regsub isn't evaluated anymore, and it's the core of the alias. What he however could do is the following:
var %x
!.echo -q $regsub($1-,/(^[^<]*>|<[^>]*>|<[^>]*$)/g,$null,%x)
%x = $remove(%x, )
If not, then he should let the %i var stay.
Greets