Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your monocles and tea cozies, because Nigel McGuinness is wrestling again. Yes, the British voice of reason turned reluctant ring participant will step back into the squared circle for only the fourth time since 2011, proving once and for all that AEW contracts come with fine print that says, “You’ll wrestle again eventually. Probably in Arizona.”
This seismic announcement comes in the wake of FTR’s heel turn, where the “Top Guys” decided to go full “Bottom of the Barrel” by assaulting everyone with mic skills and dignity—including Nigel, who simply wanted to commentate in peace without catching stray fists and decades-old grudges.
The tension began simmering when McGuinness, perched ringside with the calm of a dad trying to read the paper during a toddler tantrum, jumped in during a Daniel Garcia singles match that devolved faster than a group chat after midnight. One scuffle later, the match was declared a no contest, and Garcia was left with no win and a very confused British ally.
Cue this week’s Dynamite, where McGuinness—ever the gentleman—tried to apologize to Garcia. But before anyone could hug it out or even say “banger” unironically, Stokely Hathaway emerged like a human meme generator, offering a tag match challenge that Nigel accepted with a classic “we’re not doing this in catering” spirit. Then he immediately got jumped. Again.
Now, it’s official: Nigel McGuinness & Daniel Garcia vs. FTR at Double or Nothing. AEW Collision sealed it, and Nigel declared he’d had enough of the passive-aggressive promo battles and surprise fists to the face. He wants the smoke. Or at least some clean grappling and medical clearance.
This marks his fourth match since retiring in 2011, joining previous post-retirement stints against Lee Moriarty, Bryan Danielson, and one chaotic Casino Gauntlet that was more fever dream than competition.
Is this the final final match? Probably not. But for now, let’s appreciate the return of a legend who can still dish out European uppercuts and dry wit with surgical precision.