48-year-old star optimistic about full-time wrestling return in AEW - "I’m not going to rule it out"
AEW has produced several major surprises this year, not the least of which was the inclusion of wrestling legend Nigel McGuinness in the Casino Gauntlet Match at All In 2024. Now, the 48-year-old has provided an update on his status and his upcoming match with Bryan Danielson.
Nigel McGuinness has been antagonizing Bryan Danielson ever since joining All Elite Wrestling. The two have a long-standing rivalry that fans have wanted to see revived, but with McGuinness having retired from in-ring competition back in 2011, it didn't seem likely.
Nigel's return to action at All In 2024 sparked hope for a final chapter between the British star and The American Dragon. With Danielson having accepted the challenge, the two are now set to square off at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam on September 25.
Nigel McGuinness recently sat down with TV Insider's Scott Fishman to discuss his career, his return to the ring, and Bryan Danielson. When asked whether this return would be a one-off or a full run, McGuinness was optimistic but couldn't answer for sure:
"It’s definitely a wait-and-see. I’m not going to rule it out. I think for the longest time there has been the saying of never say never and never really meaning it. I think we’ll see how the match goes. If Bryan is able to compete as he is legitimately pretty banged up. Hopefully, it comes to fruition when he honors the booking. I think we’ll see how things play out after that."
McGuinness noted that he felt "fantastic" after his long-awaited return at Wembley Stadium, and he's confident about his match with Danielson:
"People asked me after the match in Wembley how I was feeling. I felt fantastic. It will be different going into a gauntlet match like that versus a one-on-one with expectations. I feel confident about it."
Nigel McGuinness takes a shot at Bryan Danielson ahead of AEW Grand Slam
Bryan Danielson is beloved by AEW fans and much of the company's locker room, but Nigel McGuinness has made it clear that he detests everything about the former WWE Superstar.
From the commentary booth on Dynamite, McGuinness has consistently taken shots at his old rival. Ahead of their match at the Grand Slam, the 48-year-old made sure to get another dig in:
"9 days to Grand Slam - no answer from Cryin Bryan - in the meantime, allow me to clear something up... #oasisforever #isaidmaybe #AllEliteWrestling #grandslam #americancoward Shame the clam digger into facing me," Nigel wrote on X.
Bryan Danielson is holding an open challenge for his AEW World Championship, and he's claimed that when he loses it, he will retire from full-time competition. Whether Nigel McGuinness is the man to put him out for good remains to be seen.