A new report provides an update on Nigel McGuinness after he competed at ROH Final Battle.
McGuinness stepped away from in-ring competition in 2011 and transitioned to commentary. He joined AEW in 2023 and continued to work as a commentator. McGuinness made his return to the ring at AEW All In 2024, where he competed in the Casino Gauntlet match. He then faced Bryan Danielson at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam. McGuinness wrestled again at ROH Final Battle. There, he answered ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty’s open challenge.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that, when asked about McGuinness’ in-ring status, sources said that ROH Final Battle was not expected to be his last match. However, there is no word on any active creative for McGuinness, and he will continue in his role on commentary.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
Nigel McGuinness On His 2011 Retirement
McGuinness previously reflected on his decision to step away from in-ring competition. He discussed the situation in an interview with Scott Fishman of TV Insider.
“There is a lot of confusion and misinformation,” McGuinness said. “”The truth of the matter is when I stepped away from wrestling, it was purely because I couldn’t make a living as a wrestler anymore. I could have gone back to Ring of Honor and wrestled that style, but I wouldn’t have made enough money to even afford health insurance, let alone save for the rest of my life. That style in Ring of Honor just wasn’t doable. WWE wasn’t interested in me because of an old arm injury, even though it was perfectly healed. I didn’t want to go back to TNA given what happened there. That was it. There was no AEW or anywhere else to make a living wrestling. I had no choice.”
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