By Blue Coyote on Thursday, January 10 2008


I the Blue Coyote have done it again. I have for you a true treasure this week. You guessed it, another Wrestle-Complex exclusive interview. This week I caught up with the Ring of Honor World Champion, Nigel McGuinness. Nigel is currently working in Japan, but you can read all about that right now. Enjoy!

Blue Coyote: How are you enjoying your time in Japan?
Nigel McGuinness: Pretty well actually. Have some good books to read and lots of time to get on internet in hotel. Nice people here.

Blue Coyote: Are you working for ROH in Japan, or another promotion?
Nigel McGuinness: Pro Wrestling NOAH


Blue Coyote: One of our readers, Mandy, put me in contact with you. She stated you had been upset about the reaction you received on 12-30-07 in New York. I have seen the footage, you cut an awesome promo, but some fans had some
unkind words for you. What were they saying, and what was your reaction to the comments?
Nigel McGuinness: I think some fans objected to me not being able to defend the belt on the second night. They wanted me to drop the belt. But it was only a small portion of ignorant uncaring assholes, while most of the fans were wonderfully supportive. I was upset at the time to see such hatred from people, but now have a better handle on it, and accept they must have been abused as children to only live to hate, and just feel sorry for them and hope they get some counseling.

Blue Coyote: ROH is the grand stage of independent wrestling. By this I mean, you travel, and don’t tend to stay in one location. There have even been a few PPVs. Do you see ROH going to mainstream television after more PPVs
like TNA did?
Nigel McGuinness: It's always a possibility, but they are smart and are only gonna do it in the right situation.

Blue Coyote: You are currently the ROH World Champion. What has it been like being The Champ?
Nigel McGuinness: Real emotional roller coaster. Tremendous honor, lot of pressure. But there's a long road ahead.

Blue Coyote: You have had matches in both TNA and WWE. What are some of the differences in terms of how those companies are run, and treatment in the
locker room?
Nigel McGuinness: I was never around long enough to really get a good idea.

Blue Coyote: Other ROH stars have made it big in TNA. Do you see yourself following in their footsteps?
Nigel McGuinness: See it unlikely, but never say never. They have a lot of great talent there already.

Blue Coyote: Some people do not know what the ROH Pure Championship is. You held that title for 350 days. Could you explain to our reader what the Pure Title is, and what an honor it is to hold that title?
Nigel McGuinness: The Pure title was a championship that had stricter rules in place to encourage pure wrestling such as no punches and a certain number of rope breaks as well as a twenty count on the outside. It was an opportunity to develop a new style and character and I felt very proud to do so.

Blue Coyote: You have stated in the past that The Hart Foundation and The British Bulldogs were two of your influence in the business. What in particular
impressed you about them? As individuals, as teammates?
Nigel McGuinness: Colorful, energetic, talented teams that were great to watch.

Blue Coyote: Who are some of your other influences in wrestling?
Nigel McGuinness: William Regal, Samoa Joe, Clam Digger Danielson.

Blue Coyote: Most in America know about the differences in American, Japanese, Canadian, and Mexican wrestling. You learned to incorporate European/English style wrestling into your arsenal. Could you explain the differences between English style and American style?
Nigel McGuinness: More emphasis on competition as opposed to violence.

Blue Coyote: When you do get a day off, what do you do to relax?
Nigel McGuinness: read, write, hang out by the beach.

Blue Coyote: What do you miss the most from your home country, England?
Nigel McGuinness: sense of humor, pubs.

Blue Coyote: You have definitely paid your dues. It is reported you went back to England at one time and worked two full time jobs to earn enough money to
come back to the states to compete. What were those jobs?
Nigel McGuinness: data input in office and barman.

Blue Coyote: Some people have said that you are a fluke champion, or you were given a title shot pre-maturely. I would have to disagree, but I want to know, what do you have to say to all the Nigel McGuiness haters out there?
Nigel McGuinness: They're ignorant. And there's not many, far more McGuinness lovers. In the non sexual sense alas. I busted my ass for every title shot I had and fully deserved it when I finally broke through and won the belt. Some people just like to be negative and hate. Feel sad for them.

Blue Coyote: What is the hardest part about working as an Independent Wrestler?
Nigel McGuinness: Sense of fragility with your job. But ROH and NOAH are really good about taking care of you.

Blue Coyote: Out of all the places you have traveled, what has been your favorite so far?
Nigel McGuinness: Can't pick one.

Blue Coyote: What is you favorite venue to work at?
Nigel McGuinness: Ditto.

Blue Coyote: The night you won the ROH World Championship belt, how did you celebrate your victory?
Nigel McGuinness: Don't remember. My head was pretty messed up from the brutality from the match that I didn't deserve apparently.

Blue Coyote: Do you have any sites we can direct our readers to learn more about you, and stay updated on your career?
Nigel McGuinness: Keep up with rohwrestling.com; www.myspace.com/nigelmcguiness and wrestlingobserver.com

Blue Coyote: Do you have any upcoming appearances you would like to promote at this time?
Nigel McGuinness: I should be over in Europe a fair bit this year as well as continuing my destiny in ROH so just keep watching.

I would like to thank Nigel for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions.