Nigel McGuinness discusses his future in the wrestling business.
WWE released McGuinness in October 2022; he had been working for the company since 2016, and he did commentary for NXT, NXT UK, and 205 Live, among other shows, throughout his time with the company. The former ROH World Champion retired from the ring in 2011, but he had a successful run in non-wrestling roles with ROH and later WWE.
In an interview with the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling, McGuinness was asked whether he is done with wrestling. He responded by stating that he is open to offers, and he has been putting some feelers out there.
“I’m certain open to offers and possibilities, and obviously I’ve been putting some feelers out there, seeing if there is any interest,” McGuinness said. “There’s been various different bites here and there, without going into the details. Nothing’s taking yet. But hopefully, you know, professional wrestling is an industry that I’ve devoted the last portion of my life to.
“When I went my separate ways from WWE and I sat down with a piece of paper, I wrote down wrestling as one of those things because I’d be silly to walk away from an industry that has treated so well and given me so many blessings over the last 10-20 years. So certainly open to offers, but nothing definitive right now. It’s a very exciting, interesting world in the professional wrestling industry at the moment.”
McGuinness was also asked whether he is retired from the ring. He noted that everyone asks him that, and he can’t give a definitive answer. McGuinness stated that he wouldn’t rule it out, but he feels his strengths are in other aspects of the business.
“That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? Everybody’s asked me that as soon as I went my separate ways from WWE as well,” McGuinness said. “I can’t give a definitive answer other than to say that I certainly feel my strengths, at this point in my life, are in other aspects of the industry, but I wouldn’t rule it out 100% either. There’s always that part of you that wants to have that final moment. But sometimes, cooler and smarter heads have to prevail. So it’s a cliche to say ‘Never say never.’
“You see a lot of people, Edge, Lita, Trish of course, a lot of people come back and have really, really good matches and have a really positive influence on the industry and, in a way, are able to help the next generation. I think that’s fantastic. So only time will tell what really happens from here.”
In the same interview, McGuinness discussed his WWE release. Check out his comments here.
If you use any of these quotes, please credit the original source and link back to WrestleZone with an h/t for the transcription.
More must-reads: