Nigel McGuinness is a name that is synonymous with professional wrestling. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as one of the most skilled and respected performers in the industry.
However, all good things must come to an end, and in December 2011, McGuinness stepped into the ring for what would be his final match. The match was a bittersweet moment for fans who had followed McGuinness’ career, as they knew that they were witnessing the end of an era.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Nigel McGuinness’ last match and reflect on the impact that he has had on the world of professional wrestling.
Nigel McGuinness Last Match
Nigel McGuinness’ last match in wrestling was against TJ Phillips at APWA 3rd Annual Holiday Grand Prix.
The match took place on the 17th of December 2011 in West Virginia. The American Pro Wrestling Alliance (APWA) was a local promotion that operated from 2011 to 2018, and was the home of McGuinness final match in wrestling.
No footage of the match is available online. All that is known (according to Cagematch) is that McGuinness lost the match, continuing the age-old tradition of a wrestling going out “on his back” (losing) in his last match before retiring.
He Wrestled Bryan Danielson In Both Their Last ROH Matches
In the summer of 2009, both Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson agreed deals to sign with the WWE.
Joining up the promotion at the end of September, they would finish up their dates with Ring of Honor that month, culminating at Glory by Honor VIII: The Final Countdown.
The show, named in honour of Bryan Danielson’s entrance music in the promotion, showcased two of the best wrestlers in ROH history. The two men were former ROH Champions, and put on some of the best matches in the company’s history.
Fans were sad to see them go, but happy that they would get to see their classic matches on a bigger stage. Some even though the pair could main event WrestleMania together, and become the WWE Champion in the company.
Their last match had a bittersweet atmosphere. Their match was not the best in their rivarly (although it was near-impossible to top their previous classics), but the fans were just there to say goodbye to two legends of the promotion.
The pair wrestled for 28 minutes, before Bryan Danielson picked up the win in his and Nigel McGuinness’ last match in ROH.
It was expected that both men would sign for the WWE, having agreed deals with the company.
Daniel Bryan signed his deal and went on to become a WWE Champion, main event WrestleMania and become one of the most popular wrestlers in the world.
Meanwhile, Nigel McGuinness told the WWE about a bicep injury he suffered, and refused to get surgery on. Not wanting to risk the injury, they declined to sign him and rescinded the contract offer they had for him, on medical grounds.
This rejection hit him hard. Nigel would wrestle for a couple more years (most notably in TNA), but missing out on wrestling for the WWE was too much for him to bare.
He wrestled his final match in 2011 (See above) and retired from wrestling. He would sign for the WWE in 2016 as a commentator, but his in ring career was over.
What did you think about Nigel McGuinness’ last match in ROH? Let us know what you think, down below in the comments.