AEW commentator Nigel McGuinness spoke with Scott Fishman of TV Insider on a number of topics, including Tony Khan’s response to him making his long-awaited return to the ring and his desire to face AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson.
McGuinness said, “There was excitement. Old Tony is a really big professional wrestling fan and has been for most of his life. And thank God. There is a notion elsewhere that what happens outside there isn’t important. Tony Khan is a wrestling fan who studies everything that happens in the wrestling industry. When I jumped on his flight headed to New York to announce the first Wembley show, he mentioned it. I can’t remember what I said. I think to the effect of if we get a sellout, then maybe I could dust the boots up. He perked up and said, ‘Would you be interested? Is that a possibility?’ We had a brief discussion at that point. I tried to hunt Bryan Danielson down that day to see if it was a possibility. That was a long time ago. Tony was ecstatic at the possibility. It just took a lot longer to come to fruition than either of us thought or planned.”
On whether he intends to continue wrestling after the potential Danielson bout at Grand Slam:
“It’s definitely a wait-and-see. I’m not going to rule it out. I think for the longest time there has been the saying of never say never and never really meaning it. I think we’ll see how the match goes. If Bryan is able to compete as he is legitimately pretty banged up. Hopefully, it comes to fruition when he honors the booking. I think we’ll see how things play out after that. People asked me after the match in Wembley how I was feeling. I felt fantastic. It will be different going into a gauntlet match like that versus a one-on-one with expectations. I feel confident about it. I don’t know. I was looking at quotes from Arthur Ashe this morning because we’re doing this at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He said, ‘One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.’ I’ve had 18 months to prepare for this both mentally and physically. I just feel I’m ready to go. Once I’m out there, there is a legitimate emotion that comes with standing across the ring with Bryan Danielson, given his level of success and story compared to mine.”
On when he realized he was preparing to return to the ring:
“I’d say 18 months probably when I first found out we were doing a show at Wembley and there was a possibility I could face Bryan there. I started get back in the ring and getting in-ring shape, hitting the gym like you should do. I was stretching and doing everything else to get the in-ring ready. Arguably, I was ready for last year’s Wembley. I certainly was ready for this year’s. I just try to maintain as best I can really.”
On the reaction to his return at All In:
“It was incredible. It was a surreal moment. The whole world seems like a different universe than it was before. When those things happen in your life, it just changes your entire perspective. I had no idea what reaction I would get, if I’d be remembered, and by how many people. When I came out, I felt a sense of euphoria and a wave of emotion as the crowd realized what was about to take place. I got swept up in it. If I had any nerves or anxiety beforehand, they were blown away once I get that reaction. They were with me for the journey. It changed my life forever.”
