Tag: nigel mcguinness

Nigel McGuinness in-ring return one of AEW All In Casino gauntlet surprises

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW broadcaster Nigel McGuinness made his surprise return to in-ring action at Sunday’s All In from Wembley Stadium as part of the Casino gauntlet match.

McGuinness, a native of London, entered third to a raucous ovation, standing toe-to-toe with current AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada before the two exchanged offense.

The 48-year-old hadn’t been in the ring since December 2011 and had previously retired due to medical issues. Over the last year, there had been some rumors that McGuinness was training for an in-ring return and might be tabbed for a singles match with Bryan Danielson for AEW’s return to Wembley.

McGuinness, the former ROH World and Pure Champion, got his chance to mix it up with fellow Englishman Zack Sabre Jr. which the fans also responded to with a standing ovation.

At one point, it appeared McGuinness was going to win after hitting an assisted Tower of London on Kyle O’Reilly before the pin was broken up. He then hit a Teeter Totter on O’Reilly and was about to go for a pin but was taken out by a Christian Cage spear.

After being released in October 2022 by WWE after six years, McGuinness made his surprise return to Ring of Honor at April 2023’s Supercard of Honor, joining the commentary team and eventually making his way to the broadcast desks of AEW.

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Other surprises in the match include former WWE star Ricochet, NJPW G1 winner Zack Sabre Jr., reigning AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, Jeff Jarrett, and Patriarchy teammates Luchasaurus (announced as such) and the aforementioned Christian Cage nearly two hours after they lost the AEW Trios titles.

Luchasaurus/Killswitch teased a split with Cage based on the aforementioned title loss, but instead choke slammed O’Reilly and pulled Cage’s body on top of him for the win which gives Cage a future AEW World title shot.

Nigel McGuinness ‘doesn’t really want to wrestle anymore’ unless against Bryan Danielson

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nigel McGuinness discussed a possible match against Bryan Danielson in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet.

McGuinness said that when he first signed with AEW, Tony Khan confided in him that the company was set to run a show at Wembley Stadium. The possibility of wrestling at the historic venue led McGuinness to consider a return to the ring.

“I was open to the suggestion, open to the idea. When I originally signed with AEW, I took a flight cross country with Tony and he said, I’ve got to swear you to secrecy, I’m telling you something you can’t tell another soul. We’re doing Wembley Stadium and I was like, Oh, my God.”

“Then just the idea occurred to me. Could you, should you, because Wembley Stadium 1992. That was an epiphany for me. That was a moment. I went there with my friend and I sat back 50 rows back, and I just remember having this strange sensation, I talk about it during my magic show how I just have this weird feeling, this belief that somehow I knew I was going to be a professional wrestler.”

“So to go back to that venue and wrestle would just be off the charts. But the only thing that really made sense was Bryan, and he broke his arm because he’s got osteoporosis.”

Danielson missed last year’s All In after suffering a broken arm in his match against Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door two months earlier.

When asked what would have happened had Danielson not broken his arm, McGuinness responded:

“I don’t know. I mean, there’s so much of it is out of my control, really it’s whether he wants to wrestle me.”

When asked if a match against Bryan Danielson in Wembley would be his terms for an in-ring comeback, McGuinness responded:

“It certainly feels like that. You know what I mean? It certainly feels like that. All roads to me, I think certainly aimed towards him. Because there’s so much talent in AEW, so many young guys who deserve those spots. I’m very inspired by Christian Cage, obviously, and Adam Copeland as much as I’d hate to admit it. These guys can show that they haven’t lost a step. They can still go and all the knowledge that they have, they can convey and pass on to the next generation by being in the ring with them as well. I’ve been like, wow. Getting back in the ring I felt like, wow, it is so strange a realization when you figure out that the only thing stopping you being a wrestler is you. Now, having said that I’ve certainly got no desire to step away from the announcing booth. I don’t want to become a full-time wrestler. I don’t really want to wrestle anymore, to be honest with you. Other than beating Bryan, obviously, because that’s our story. There’s our history.”

In March, McGuinness was a guest on Wrestling Weekly and mentioned that he had gotten back in the ring recently and felt “perfectly okay.”

McGuinness also discusses his time in WWE, thoughts on blading, and more. The full interview is available below:

Nigel McGuinness says he got back in the ring again recently, ‘felt perfectly ok’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nigel McGuinness says he recently got back in the ring.  

The 48-year-old hasn’t wrestled since 2011. He debuted as a commentator for ROH later that year and now works on the AEW Collision broadcast team, where he can frequently be heard making derogatory comments about Bryan Danielson on Saturday nights. 

McGuinness appeared as a guest on Wrestling Weekly recently and while discussing his attitude toward Danielson, mentioned that he got back inside a ring again and felt “perfectly okay.”  

McGuinness said:

All the time that I was in WWE, how difficult it was for me, and I think a lot of the… I don’t want to say the jealousy and the bitterness, but those sort of emotions that certainly existed between me and Bryan and the success that he’s had. 

When I was in WWE, seeing so many of my peers coming up and having that level of success, and that level of fame and fortune was very difficult for me, certainly, to sort of accept. 

Especially when I could still wrestle today. I got in the ring last week and just felt perfectly ok. Sometimes, people say it’s a lot easier if you choose yourself to quit and I don’t think that it’s the case. 

He continued:

Given my history in terms of concussions and various other things, I do watch a lot of matches and go, ‘couldn’t do that anymore.’

In 2018, McGuinness posted to Twitter to clear up misconceptions that his retirement was due to injuries. He wrote, “Just for the record, as some people seem misinformed, I was always ok to wrestle, I never retired because of injuries.”

Danielson and McGuinness’ rivalry took place primarily in Ring of Honor from 2006 to 2008. One of their most notable matches took place at 2006’s ROH Unified in Liverpool. Danielson defeated McGuinness that night to unify the ROH World and Pure titles. Our own Dave Meltzer gave the match four and three-quarter stars. 

AEW reveals commentary team for Collision

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kevin Kelly is joining AEW in a weekly commentary role.

In advance of the show debuting this Saturday, AEW has revealed the announce team for Collision. Kelly and Nigel McGuinness will be doing commentary for the show, and they’ll be joined by “expert analysis” from Jim Ross.

Tony Khan tweeted: “#AEWCollision debuts TOMORROW NIGHT on @TNTdrama at 8pm ET/7pm CT at the @UnitedCenter in Chicago! We’re going to have a great announce team on Saturday Nights with your new weekly commentary team @realkevinkelly + @McGuinnessNigel, joined by expert analysis from legend @JRsBBQ!”

Kelly is familiar with both of his Collision broadcast partners. He’s previously worked with McGuinness in ROH and Ross in WWF/WWE.

“Set your DVR’s or better yet, just watch LIVE! I’m thrilled to be working with my mate Nigel again and my old boss JR,” Kelly wrote on Twitter.

Kelly confirmed that he’ll still be doing commentary for NJPW despite his new AEW role. He’s been an English-language commentator for NJPW since 2015.

AEW announced the signing of McGuinness this April.

Collision will air live on TNT from 8-10 p.m. Eastern time on Saturdays. Here are the matches that have been announced for the premiere episode:

  • CM Punk & FTR vs. Samoa Joe, Jay White & Juice Robinson
  • TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Luchasaurus
  • Miro in action
  • Willow Nightingale & Skye Blue vs. Toni Storm & Ruby Soho
  • Andrade vs. Buddy Matthews

AEW announces signing of Nigel McGuinness

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nigel McGuinness is All Elite. 

Ahead of tonight’s AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan posted to social media that McGuinness is joining the promotion. This comes just after he made his return to the ROH commentary team at Supercard of Honor on Friday. 

Khan wrote:

Nigel McGuiness is a legend in pro wrestling, and now @McGuinnessNigel is All Elite! See you all TONIGHT on @TBSNetwork for a massive Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, and I’ll have a very important announcement on TBS tonight! 

McGuinness was released from WWE in October after having been with the company for six years. Prior to that he had worked on commentary for ROH from 2011-16. 

During his in-ring career, McGuinness won the ROH World Championship, Pure Championship, and held the TNA tag titles once with Nick Aldis. 

AEW Dynamite 4/5 announced lineup:

  • AEW Trios Champions The House of Black defend against Best Friends & Orange Cassidy
  • Tony Khan important announcement
  • AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Riho
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Gunns defend against FTR’s AEW career
  • MJF Day celebration
  • Blackpool Combat Club promo
  • The Acclaimed decide whether they are joining Jericho Appreciation Society
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Komander
  • Juice Robinson vs. Ricky Starks
  • FTW Champion Hook defends against Ethan Page

Nigel McGuinness returns as ROH commentator at Supercard of Honor

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Former ROH World Champion and Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness has returned to the company as a color commentator. 

McGuinness returned to the company for the first time in six-plus years at Friday’s Supercard of Honor event as a color commentator, making his re-debut on the Zero Hour pre-show in Los Angeles. McGuinness joined Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman at the commentary desk for the broadcast. 

ROH owner Tony Khan welcomed McGuinness back to the company with a tweet:

In his first run with ROH from 2003 to 2009, McGuinness captured both the World and Pure titles and established himself as one of the preeminent in-ring talents of his generation. He left the company after agreeing in principle to a WWE deal, but WWE later pulled the offer after McGuinness failed the company’s physical due to an old biceps injury. 

McGuinness then moved to TNA, where he wrestled in 2009 and 2010 as Desmond Wolfe. McGuinness later revealed that he tested positive for Hepatitis B, and was pulled from TNA’s 2010 No Surrender pay-per-view. After a brief run as an on-screen authority figure and commentator on TNA Explosion, he was released from his TNA contract in 2011. 

The end of 2011 also saw the end of McGuinness’s in-ring career, as he embarked on a retirement tour on the indies in November and December of that year. 

McGuinness returned to Ring of Honor as a commentator and on-screen matchmaker in late 2011 and stayed with the promotion until 2016. 

WWE announced McGuinness had signed with the company in December 2016, and he debuted for the company as a color commentator in January 2017 at WWE’s United Kingdom Championship Tournament. The next month, he joined the NXT brand as a commentator.

He would remain with the company until being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. He was brought back later in the year as a commentator on NXT UK and 205 Live, before ultimately being released in October 2022.

Wrestling Weekly: A talk with Nigel McGuinness

Posted on by Victor Sosa

It’s Friday and that means it’s time for a special edition of Wrestling Weekly with myself and Les Thatcher.

We lean on Les’ background as a wrestler and a trainer to speak about the Britt Baker vs. Anna Jay A.S. match at last weekend’s AEW House Rules.

We also discuss the AEW Dynamite main event between Kenny Omega and Vikingo that had everyone talking, the show closing segment from WWE Raw, and a special run in from Nigel McGuinness as he prepares for a very special show next week.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here To Listen for free

Nigel McGuinness to appear at PROGRESS Super Strong Style 16

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nigel McGuinness is advertised for PROGRESS Super Strong Style 16. 

The promotion announced on Sunday that the 47-year-old will be appearing at the tournament this year. No other details were given regarding what role he will have, however. 

PROGRESS Super Strong Style 16 2023 will take place from May 27-29, 2023, in London. 

McGuinness was released from WWE last October after having been with the company since 2016. He worked various roles during his time with the company, including on commentary for NXT UK, NXT, and Level Up. 

During his in-ring career from 1999-2011, McGuinness was a former ROH World and Pure Champion. He performed as Desmond Wolfe in TNA Wrestling from 2009-2011 and was involved in a lengthy program with Kurt Angle. 

The PROGRESS Super Strong Style 16 tournament dates back to 2015. Previous winners include Will Ospreay, Malakai Black (as Tommy End), Travis Banks, Zack Sabre Jr, David Starr, and last year’s winner, Chris Ridgeway. 

Report: Nigel McGuinness released by WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nigel McGuinness is no longer with WWE.

PWInsider reported on Friday that McGuinness was released by WWE earlier this week. McGuinness signed with WWE in 2016 and had various commentary roles during his time with the company, most recently serving as part of the announce team for NXT Level Up.

Those roles also included doing commentary for NXT and NXT UK.

WWE announced a major shakeup of its commentary teams on Thursday, with new teams set for Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. McGuinness didn’t have a role on any of those teams.

During his in-ring career, McGuinness was a World Champion for Ring of Honor. He also wrestled in TNA as Desmond Wolfe.

McGuinness did commentary for ROH after having to retire from in-ring competition.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, McGuinness was furloughed from his job with WWE but returned to work later that year.

A documentary titled “Chasing the Magic: The Nigel McGuinness Story” premiered on WWE Network in 2019, telling the story of how McGuinness made it to WWE as a commentator after his in-ring career was “unceremoniously cut short.”

Nigel McGuinness returning to WWE commentary for NXT UK

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the first time since being furloughed by the company earlier this year, Nigel McGuinness is returning to commentary for WWE.

Media members Stephanie Chase and Alex McCarthy confirmed from today’s NXT UK television tapings that McGuinness is part of the commentary team for the tapings. McGuinness is working remotely from the United States.

“Confirmed: Nigel McGuinness will be on commentary when @NXTUK returns alongside [Andy Shepherd]. Nigel will be working remotely from the US,” Chase wrote.

Dave Meltzer reported in May that the reason McGuinness hadn’t been around on WWE TV was that he was furloughed in April’s roster cuts.

Vic Joseph, Beth Phoenix, and Wade Barrett have been the commentary team for NXT US over the past couple of weeks. Barrett is in negotiations with WWE to return to the company full-time as a commentator.

It was announced last month that NXT UK is returning with new episodes starting on Thursday, September 17. The tapings for the show are being held at BT Sport studios in London, England with no fans in attendance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these are the first NXT UK shows to take place since March.

McCarthy noted that Shawn Michaels was leading today’s NXT UK tapings remotely from the US. “God of War” by Wargasm is the new theme song for NXT UK.

Nigel McGuinness furloughed by WWE

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Nigel McGuinness is among the names that have been furloughed by WWE.

McGuinness’ name was confirmed in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Many working in NXT were not named by WWE when they released and furloughed wrestlers, road agents, and other employees last month. WWE cited the COVID-19 pandemic as reasoning for the furloughs and releases. 

Of late, McGuinness had been on the NXT UK commentary team with Andy Shepherd. However, recent episodes of the show have been ‘best of’ compilations that have been hosted by Shepherd only. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing travel issues, it isn’t known when NXT UK will resume tapings.

McGuinness signed with the WWE in late 2016 and made his debut as a commentator during the United Kingdom Championship tournament in early 2017. He became a color commentator for NXT the following month and also did commentary for 205 Live and Main Event.

Among those who were furloughed last month include Dave Finlay, Lance Storm, Shane Helms, and Gearld Brisco, among others. 

Change to WWE 205 Live commentary team

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With NXT going live, WWE has made a change to the 205 Live commentary team.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that Nigel McGuinness will no longer be doing commentary for 205 Live. NXT wrestler Dio Maddin took McGuinness’ place starting with this week’s 205 Live episode and was announced as the newest member of the broadcast team. He’ll be working alongside Vic Joseph and Aiden English.

Joseph and English congratulated and thanked McGuinness. Mauro Ranallo, McGuinness, and Beth Phoenix are the commentary team for NXT.

Maddin (real name Brennan Williams) is a former NFL offensive lineman. After being trained by Booker T, he signed with WWE in 2016. He’s been wrestling on NXT house shows since then and got his WWE name earlier this year.

NXT will begin airing live on Wednesdays next week (September 18). For the first two episodes, the first hour of the show will be live on USA Network and the second hour will be live on WWE Network. NXT will then move to airing live on USA Network for the full two hours starting on October 2.

Nigel McGuinness documentary to air on WWE Network

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A documentary on Nigel McGuinness will be premiering on the WWE Network after NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.

The WWE Network schedule notes that an original special called “The Nigel McGuinness Story” will air on the Network at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, January 12, which is the post-NXT UK TakeOver time slot. The documentary is listed as airing from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Here’s WWE’s brief description of the documentary: “The story of Nigel McGuinness, a man with lifelong aspirations of becoming a WWE Superstar, whose career was unceremoniously cut short.”

McGuinness and Vic Joseph are the commentary team for NXT UK, and McGuinness also does color commentary for NXT, 205 Live, and Main Event.

TakeOver Blackpool is the first TakeOver special for the NXT UK brand. It’s taking place at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, England on January 12 and will air live on the WWE Network starting at 2 p.m. Eastern, with a 30-minute pre-show airing before that.

WWE Main Event results: Elias makes his show debut

Posted on by James Cox

The Big Takeaway: Nigel McGuinness replaced Corey Graves on commentary, and we were treated to excellent tag team action in the cruiserweight division. Elias also made his Main Event debut, stealing a win against Kalisto in the main event.

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Lince Dorado & Mustafa Ali defeated TJP & Brian Kendrick (6:33)

Kendrick and Dorado started off and exchanged chops. A head scissors takedown sent Kendrick outside, then Ali tagged in and they double-teamed Kendrick for a two count. Kendrick took over, tagged in TJP, and the heels started to slow the match down.

Ali outsmarted TJP, using some quick skill to flip out of a wrist lock and TJP backed off impressed. Ali mimicked the dab and gave TJP a hurricanrana. He tagged in Dorado and the pair double-teamed both TJP and Kendrick, cleaning house.

Kendrick and Ali then settled into it, with TJP sweeping the legs of Ali while the referee was distracted. The heels cut the ring in half and worked over the left shoulder of Ali.

After Dorado got the hot tag and worked over TJP, he tagged in Ali to finish him off. Dorado did a suicide dive onto Kendrick to the outside to take care of the threat, while in the ring Ali hit a neckbreaker to put TJP in position for the 054. This was a good win for Dorado and Ali, who worked really smoothly as a team.

Elias defeated Kalisto (2:24)

Elias was introduced in the middle of the ring, playing a song that buried Omaha, Nebraska where Main Event was being taped. The crowd booed so he started over because he had told them “to hold their applause.” Kalisto’s music cut him off and Elias was maddened.

Elias cut off any attempts by Kalisto to kick him and outpace him. Kalisto was slung around the ring until he connected with a right foot and a springboard crossbody. He sent Elias outside and used a springboard moonsault as we went to a break.

Kalisto gave Elias a hurricanrana to the mat as we returned, getting a two count. He used another top rope moonsault and went for the Salida del Sol, but Elias caught him and reversed it into the Drift Away and got the win after having taken virtually none of the match.