Nigel McGuinness credits AEW, Tony Khan for ‘opportunity to live out my dreams’

Nigel McGuinness spoke about wrestling at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door this weekend during a recent interview with Justin Barrasso of The Undisputed.

McGuinness will challenge Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on Sunday’s show from the O2 Arena in London. He qualified for the match by winning the “Technical Spectacle” against Hechicero, Daniel Garcia, and Lee Moriarty on AEW Collision.

“When I came back a year ago and wrestled Bryan Danielson, that was phenomenal and very important for me. But a match on this prestigious a stage against Zack Sabre Jr., I can’t get over it.“

“I’ve dealt with the disappointment, the regret, and the failure,” said McGuinness. “A decade ago, never once did I dream that I’d ever have any sort of opportunity like this. I thought this ship had sailed and my career was over.”

“If it weren’t for Tony Khan, none of it would have happened. I owe Tony and this company so, so much. This is the opportunity to live out my dreams.”

Following his return to the ring at All In 2024, McGuinness wrestled his longtime rival Bryan Danielson at AEW Grand Slam in Arthur Ashe Stadium the following month. He returned to Ring of Honor at Final Battle 2024, where he unsuccessfully challenged Moriarty for the Pure title. He also teamed with Daniel Garcia in a loss to FTR at Double or Nothing in May.

The full interview with Nigel McGuinness is available here.