Nigel McGuinness Sets The Record Straight On Retirement

Nigel McGuinness didn’t retire through injury.

After finding success with Ring of Honor, which included several acclaimed matches with Bryan Danielson and a run with the World Championship, Nigel McGuinness agreed a contract with WWE in 2009.

However, the deal fell through due to an old biceps injury, and he joined TNA before retiring two years later.

At All In, McGuinness made a surprise return to the ring as part of the Casino Gauntlet Match, and he’ll be back in action at Grand Slam.

Ahead of that match, the star sat down with Scott Fishman of TV Insider to discuss his return to the ring. When McGuinness was asked about how his injury history and concussion history played into his return, he denied they played a role, explaining that isn’t why he retired.

“It didn’t really. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation. 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,”

The British star went on to explain that he hoped his documentary The Last of McGuinness (2013) would kick-start his in-ring career, but it never happened.

“When I retired and did that documentary The Last of McGuinness, it was partly because if I could get my story out there, perhaps someone would catch on to it and tell the rest of the story. Little did I know it would take until now with Tony Khan and AEW.

I didn’t step away because of concussions. I didn’t step away because of hepatitis. I was perfectly okay to wrestle. So it’s all not a factor going in. You obviously are cognizant of the possibility of injuries and stuff like that, but you try to keep it out of your head. It’s just like anything else in life. There are risks involved, but the rewards outweigh them,”

Nigel McGuinness To Face Bryan Danielson

The interview comes as Nigel McGuinness prepares to face long-time rival Bryan Danielson at AEW Grand Slam.

Following All Out, Jon Moxley said Danielson wouldn’t be able to wrestle at Grand Slam so he’ll be challenging Darby Allin with the latter putting his World Title shot on the line. However, sensing an opportunity, McGuinness approached Tony Khan to request a match with the American Dragon.

The British star explained that Moxley was simply speculating when he said Danielson wouldn’t be fit for the show, leaving the door open for him to lay down a challenge.

The match will be McGuinness’ first singles bout since December 2011.