Announced tonight on the NXT Takeover kickoff show, Corey Graves will be stepping away from his duties as NXT commentary and announcer following tonight’s big show in San Antonio. He will be replaced by veteran wrestler and former Ring of Honor announcer Nigel McGuinness, who made his debut for the company at the recent WWE UK Championship Tournament, and was praised for his work alongside Michael Cole.
Graves will maintain his role on WWE Monday Night Raw, as a part of the commentary team with Michael Cole and Byron Saxton.
Since 2006
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January 28, 2017
Corey Graves Leaving NXT Announce Team
December 15, 2016
ROH Officials Not Happy with Nigel McGuinness in WWE
As noted, former Ring of Honor Champion Nigel McGuinness will co-host of the new WWE United Kingdom Title tournament on the WWE Network alongside Michael Cole. He will be calling the matches with Michael Cole. There were rumors that McGuinness would be signing with WWE as a Performance Center coach, but it appears WWE had different plans in mind for the former Champion.
According to PWInsider.com ROH officials were not aware of McGuinness leaving the company until the past weekend and they aren’t happy about him signing with WWE and his new role in the company.
Nigel McGuinness announced as WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament co-host
Plenty of big news came out of today’s press conference at the O2 Arena in London, with one of the most exciting reveals being that famed British grappler Nigel McGuinness will serve as co-host for the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, live and exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network this January.
Widely considered to be one of the greatest competitors to never have a major run in WWE, McGuinness was a contemporary of Superstars like Daniel Bryan, Cesaro and Samoa Joe, and shared the same global path through the wrestling world as those men. A swaggering London native with peroxide hair and a Johnny Rotten attitude, McGuinness entered the ring to a blistering Oasis anthem and attacked his opponents with the recklessness of a soccer hooligan after a losing game. His series of bouts against Bryan in the mid-2000s were so unrelentingly physical that you watch them and wonder why the cops didn’t intervene mid-match.
Injuries brought an early end to McGuinness’ career, but his influence is present in WWE today, whether you knew it or not. Seth Rollins cites him as a key opponent in his evolution as a ring performer, and the wild rebound lariat Dean Ambrose throws with abandon on SmackDown LIVE is done in tribute to the great McGuinness.
Outside of his in-ring physicality, McGuinness also possessed great intelligence and ring acumen, which he used to his benefit in retirement as he transitioned to the announce booth. He’ll bring those skills to the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament on January 14 & 15, 2017, live on WWE Network, and the WWE Universe will finally be introduced to one of England’s — and sports-entertainment’s — greats.
~ Kayfabe by Kaliqo~ at 7:24 PM
Labels: Nigel McGuinness, WWE, WWE Network, WWE United Kingdom Championship
December 14, 2012
December 8, 2012
Nigel McGuinness Reveals Reason for his Retirement
During his new documentary "The Last of McGuinness", former ROH and TNA wrestler Nigel McGuinness revealed the reason for his retirement from pro wrestling that he had kept secret for the last two years. While it was widely made public that WWE backed off signing him to a deal after he underwent tests that reveal severe damage to his biceps (something McGuiness talks at length about in the documentary), he revealed that his run in TNA came to an end when he tested positive for Hepatitis B. Details on how you can order the documentary on DVD can be found at this link.
March 18, 2012
Interview with Nigel McGuinness
March 8, 2012
Nigel McGuinness Attempting DVD Release On Why He Quit Wrestling
Former TNA/ROH wrestler Nigel McGuinness (Desmond Wolfe) is attempting to release a DVD documentary explaining his pro wrestling journey and why he quit wrestling related to his health issues. McGuinness has launched a fundraiser through Kickstarter.com to raise funds to produce, edit, and distribute the DVD.
"Moving on from wrestling is the toughest decision I have ever had to make. I am looking to get the funding, not only to make the documentary, but also to learn the skills to be able to explore other avenues beyond the ring in the future," McGuinness says about why the doc is important to him. "More than this though, I think it's a story everyone will enjoy and learn from. I know I did."
source: pwtorch.com
October 23, 2011
Nigel McGuinness Returning to the Ring for HWA
Nigel McGuinness will be returning to the ring for the first time since his days with TNA for the Heartland Wrestling Association promotion on 11/12 in Hamilton, Ohio. McGuinness will also conduct a special training camp that afternoon for trained wrestlers. The cost is $30 and those interested can contact training@hwaonline.com.
August 13, 2011
Former TNA Star Makes ROH Return
PWInsider.com is reporting that former TNA star Desmond Wolfe, whose real name is Nigel McGuinnness, made his return to Ring of Honor at tonight's TV tapings. McGuinness will join Kevin Kelly as part of the ROH announce team.
June 17, 2011
Demond Wolfe (Nigel McGuinness) Released from TNA
PWInsider.com has confirmed that TNA has released Desmond Wolfe (Nigel McGuinness) from his contract. Wolfe last made an appearance on TNA Xplosion as the Commissioner following several months away due to health issues.
The former ROH World Champion was set to sign with WWE but failed the companies screening process and TNA hired him almost immediately for a strong storyline with Kurt Angle.
May 17, 2011
Update on Desmond Wolfe
Desmond Wolfe returned at last night's Impact taping in a new role as the Commissioner of TNA's Xplosion series, which makes sense for the overseas markets.
source: pwinider.com
April 25, 2011
Rumor Mill - Medical Status of Desmond Wolfe
Randy Ricci, a former production manager for TNA Wrestling, claimed in a blog post on Friday that he heard the reason Desmond Wolfe has not been wrestling in recent months is because he has Hepatitis C—a viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver. He added that he hopes it's not true.
Ricci says he heard the former ROH World Champion will be offered an office job.
Wolfe last wrestled for the organization in August. He and Magnus were scheduled to receive a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship against The Motor City Machine Guns at No Surrender, but were pulled from the event at the last minute, with TNA citing a "personal issue" as the reason. It was later reported that Wolfe was pulled from the event due to an undisclosed medical situation that would sideline him indefinitely.
Hulk Hogan is the only TNA Wrestling employee to publicly address Wolfe's status with the organization. When asked recently on Twitter about Wolfe returning to television, Hogan responded, "Desmond's situation is beyond TNA's control, the ball is completely in his court."
source: allwrestling.com
April 14, 2010
Austin Aries Comments on Tyler Black, Jim Cornette, the Monday Night Wars, Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
10:15 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, Daniel Bryan, Jim Cornette, Nigel McGuinness, Seth Rollins, TNA, Tyler Black, WWE
January 25, 2010
AJ Styles: "All The Horror Stories I've Heard About WWE, There Is No Reason Why I'd Want to Go."
"I'm going to tell you what I know as the main difference between the two companies. "Desmond and I are going to work together to make this company the best, for everybody. "Whereas in the other company they will stab each other in the back to get themselves to the next level. "It's not about me. It's about us in TNA."...More?
source: the sun
December 18, 2009
ROH Champ Austin Aries Says Wrestlers Need Union Protection in WWE and TNA
Ring of Honor champion Austin Aries presented a strong argument that wrestlers in WWE and TNA should have union protection as actors since they're being slotted for roles in a TV show. Aries based his argument on WWE and TNA changing the characters and personalities of wrestlers coming from Ring of Honor or the independent scene to fit a certain role.
"This new idea that you’re going to come into our company and we’re going to change everything about you – I guess that’s the mentality that we’re all just kind of actors and we’re playing a part," Aries told Alfonso Castillo of Newsday. "I’ll follow that, but if that’s the way we’re going to do the business, let’s do it across the board. If we’re actors, then let’s be actors – and get the benefits of actors and be taken care of like actors. They kind of found this crack. I don’t know. It’s really interesting."
Aries added that it bothers him that WWE and TNA "discount" wrestlers coming up from the independent ranks as if what they do prior to joining the Big Two promotions "didn't mean anything."
"We (referring to himself, Bryan Danielson, and Nigel McGuinness) busted our a-- to make our names mean something, to be recognized in the wrestling business. And for them to just try to erase it so that they can feel like they’re the creator, it doesn’t much make much sense to me," Aries said. "Just because we’re on TV for another promotion doesn’t mean all the stuff we did here didn’t mean anything. Then why do they want me?"
reported by: pwtorch.com
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
1:11 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, Daniel Bryan, Nigel McGuinness, ROH, TNA, Wrestling News, WWE
December 2, 2009
Austin Aries: Wrestlers Leaving ROH is a "Natural Process of this Business"
With former ROH mainstay Nigel McGuinness recently debuting as Desmond Wolfe on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Bryan Danielson, another longtime ROH favorite, reportedly getting ready to debut in World Wrestling Entertainment, fans are wondering what it means for the fate of ROH. But Aries, just as Claudio Castagnoli said the last time ROH was coming to the Southland, said fans need not worry.
"It's just a natural process of this business and especially for this promotion," Aries, of Minneapolis, said. "You can go back and look historically. We've had a lot of people, including myself, who have left for other places and the company has continued to thrive. ROH is built around the best young, hungry talent in wrestling, and there's always going to be guys who are willing to step up when opportunities open up. We're trying to get in the position where we can be financially feasible for guys to stay and make a good career in ROH. The name of the game is making money. This is a business, and guys who are going to get an opportunity would be foolish not to take it."
source: southtownstar.com
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
3:53 PM
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Labels: Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Bryan, Nigel McGuinness, ROH
October 23, 2009
Nigel McGuinness Disputes Earlier Reports
The Daily Star in the UK is featuring an interview with former ROH star Nigel McGuinness - now known as Desmond Wolfe in TNA. McGuinness comments on reports that the reason he didn't sign with the WWE is that he failed the medical screening.
"I had a clean bill of health from my orthopaedic guy and my local doctor, so it's not about that. I don’t hold against anything against them, it was a business decision, and they were only doing what they think is best for them. As for me, I am very eager to prove my worth. It means so much to me that Dixie, Terry and Kurt have faith in me, in my vocation and my work. I will repay that faith."
TNA Wrestling Debut of Desmond Wolfe
October 21, 2009
Update on Nigel McGuinness & Bryan Danielson
New TNA wrestler Nigel McGuinness told his new coworkers at the TNA Impact tapings that he was able to sign with the company because WWE took too long finalizing the contract. However, prowrestling.net has confirmed reports that he failed WWE's prescreening test. As such, WWE pulled their verbal offer and never offered him an actual contract.
Bryan Danielson will not be joining TNA. He is expected to begin working with WWE shortly. There was speculation in the TNA locker room yesterday that Danielson could be joining the company. However, that was fueled by Nigel McGuiness telling people that he was able to sign with TNA because WWE dragged their feet on signing him.
October 20, 2009
Rumor Mill - Former ROH Wrestler TNA Bound?
*Possible spoiler*
Prowrestling.net is reporting that former Ring of Honor Champion Nigel McGuinness is backstage at the TNA taping in Orlando, Fla. Although Nigel and ROH officials indicated that he had agreed in principle with WWE, it appears he has opted to sign with TNA instead.
There has also been some buzz that Bryan Danielson might be TNA-bound as well, but nothing is official. The early talk is that WWE dragged its feet on signing the duo, so TNA swooped in and signed Nigel.
If this is true, I'm going to be sick...