Well accomplished wrestler & commentator, Nigel McGuinness recently spoke with The Mirror about a plethora of topics including: Nigel’s Ring Of Honor run, joining the WWE, calling NXT matches, WrestleMania weekend & so much more.
Here are the highlights: (full interview, click here)
Joining WWE & Commentating The Inaugural UK Championship Tournament:
“Super proud, it was a strange feeling to be there. I had spent the majority of my career as an in-ring performer trying to get to WWE, which never happened for whatever reason and I had kind of put that all to bed and then when it came around and I got the phone call saying they were interested in using me in a commentary position and I heard about the tournament, it was like, ‘you just never know what’s around the corner’.”
“To be there, it kind of put an exclamation point on my career in general. There was a lot of validation there, to be there and be part of such an important night for the British guys and the British sport, to be alongside Michael Cole as well, there is a guy who does not get enough credit for what a talented announcer he is. Even with me working in NXT now, it’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Calling NXT:
“It’s a lot of fun. There are so many guys that I knew from various other places before we got to WWE. So it was almost like I was coming home as well. Everybody has got a great mindset there and I think it all trickles down, from Triple H and William Regal, who had such a big hand obviously in starting the place up and developing it. Everybody has just got the right mentality there and I am learning so much, it’s crazy.”
“I had done commentary obviously on and off for the last five or six years and I learn something every time. Every time I get out there, there is something new that comes up. It’s a real art form. Often people say when you learn a new skill set it helps with your other skill sets. I’m learning about commentary and I’m sort of learning more about the art form of sports entertainment in general, that I never really appreciated in the past.”
Was Commentating Always In His Plans After His Wrestling Career?:
“No, not really at all actually, it was just something that came to be when I originally worked for my other company. I knew after retiring I wasn’t going to be in the ring any more, I couldn’t compete at that level, and so they gave me the opportunity to do the commentary and be the on-screen matchmaker as well. and thank God for it. Because without them, I never would have been where I am today, so I’m always going to be indebted to them, for sure.”
Does He Miss Competing In The Ring?:
“There are moments, everybody who ever used to be an in-ring performer has that moment when they remember how it feels. But I think to a certain extent for me, having never actually, other than one very short match many, many years ago, ever been in the ring as WWE performer, there’s always that notion of ‘ahh, that would have been nice’. But I really do think that the commentary position makes up for it so much more because this is something I can do for the rest of my life. It’s healthy for me, I don’t have to worry about getting hurt or injured and it’s a lot of fun. I really do think I’m growing as a person and a performer as a result of it.”
Calling NXT Takeover: Orlando During WrestleMania Weekend:
“Just to be part of the whole WrestleMania week was fantastic and to be there with such a big crowd and hear the reaction when I walked out from the British fans who had come out to watch the show as well, it was awesome. To see that main event and feel the energy, it’s something I can’t really describe. It’s different from being in the ring. When you’re in the ring, everything is centered on you but when you’re watching the show you still feel it, but it’s different from being a fan too, it’s a strange kind of dichotomy, but it’s something amazing and something I really do feel blessed to experience.”
If you want to read The Mirror’s full interview with NXT commentator, Nigel McGuinness, click here:
