AEW Star Still Troubled By Bryan Danielson Defeat

AEW star Nigel McGuinness admits he is still troubled by a defeat to Bryan Danielson.

The London-born star made a surprise return to the ring as part of the Casino Gauntlet Match at AEW All In 2024, marking his first in-ring action in almost 13 years having initially retired in December 2011.

Rumours had suggested that McGuinness would return to face Danielson at AEW All In 2023, with any plans shelved after the Aberdeen, Washington native suffered a broken arm during a bout against Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door on 25th June 2023.

McGuinness delighted fans by returning a year later when AEW returned to Wembley Stadium and would eventually set foot in the ring with old rival Danielson at AEW Grand Slam on 25th September. The former WWE Champion defeated McGuinness via submission at the event, held at the legendary Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York.

Speaking during an AEW YouTube channel special entitled ‘Nigel McGuinness: The Road Less Travelled’, the 48 year-old star reflected on his return to the ring, speaking both of his delight to have competed against Danielson again whilst sharing the angst he still feels after tasting defeat:

“Before I came to AEW, my career was done. ‘That ship has sailed,’ I told so many people. I just thought there was no way, because no one believed in me, because I didn’t believe in me, so why should anyone? But life works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it? I never could have imagined this would happen.

I will forever feel blessed to have gotten to stand there and face off with him one more time. But God, I can give all the epitaphs and soliloquies in the world, it still f*cking hurts to lose to him.

Seeing Bryan’s career trajectory and all the success that he had, it certainly gave me a little bit of happiness to come up with him, be one of his peers, and see him succeed. As I said, he’s one of the guys that proves that if you have a dream and you never give up, you can make it.”

AEW Hints At Exit Of Major Star

One man who is unlikely to be seen in an AEW ring in the near future is Malakai Black.

Rumours of the mysterious stars departure have been abound for some weeks and were fuelled again after Will Ospreay encouraged House Of Black members Buddy Matthews and Brody King to leave the faction behind on the 8th January edition of AEW Dynamite.

It is widely expected that Black will re-join WWE upon the expiration of his contract in the coming weeks. The 39 year-old spent five years with the company before his 2021 departure and is a former NXT Champion.

H/T: Fightful for the above transcription.