Nigel McGuinness is no longer with WWE.
According to a report today by Pwinsider.com and later confirmed by Fightful Select, McGuinness was released by the company earlier this week. He has yet to comment publicly on his departure.
McGuinness would be a great hire for any promotion, whether as a commentator or a coach/producer. With his history in ROH, it would make sense for Tony Khan to hire him as he tries to relaunch the brand if he can secure weekly television.
McGuinness signed with WWE back in 2016, initially as an announcer for the WWE UK Classic before being brought on as a commentator for various shows, including NXT, NXT UK, Main Event, and 205 Live.
McGuinness was offered a WWE deal in September 2006 to wrestle, but the deal was pulled after he didn’t disclose a previous biceps injury during a medical pre-screening. His doctor thought the injury was healed and he was good enough to wrestle, but WWE’s doctors then instructed Nigel to undergo surgery to repair the old injury. Nigel couldn’t afford the surgery, so he declined to do so, and WWE pulled the offer.
McGuinness went on to work for Impact Wrestling, but the run was derailed after he was diagnosed with Hepatitis-C (later cured), and he was forced to retire in 2011.
Nigel was a top star in the early days of ROH, with memorable matches with the likes of Bryan Danielson, Takeshi Morishima, Austin Aries, Jay Briscoe, Tyler Black, and others. He is a former ROH World Heavyweight and Pure Champion.
