In the annals of wrestling, few surprises have been kept as tightly under wraps as Nigel McGuinness’ unexpected return to the ring at AEW All In. Amid the chaos and anticipation of the London event, nothing left fans more gobsmacked than when Oasis’ “F**kin’ in the Bushes” reverberated through the arena, heralding McGuinness’ entry into the Casino Gauntlet match. Though he didn’t walk away with a shot at the AEW World Championship, the sight of the former Ring of Honor legend lacing up his boots after a 13-year hiatus was nothing short of a seismic moment.
But the real shockwaves weren’t just felt by fans; even those behind the curtain were left slack-jawed. As reported by the ever-illuminating Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, McGuinness’ involvement was so secretive that it became AEW’s equivalent of the Manhattan Project. The need-to-know list was so exclusive that even the janitors were in the dark. Only a select few, like the prophetic Ibou of WrestlePurists, who cryptically hinted at a “non-Ricochet” surprise, had any inkling of what was to come.
Medically cleared and rolling around in the ring for months, McGuinness had come to terms with life behind the commentary desk. But like every wrestler who’s ever hung up their boots, the itch to step back into the squared circle never truly fades. While McGuinness enjoys dissecting matches with his sharp wit and British charm, AEW President Tony Khan isn’t ruling out more in-ring action. Rumors swirl of a potential storyline with Christian Cage, and McGuinness himself has all but promised that a showdown with his old nemesis Bryan Danielson would be the one irresistible draw that could pull him out of retirement—if only for one final dance.
In a world where secrets are about as secure as a steel chair shot to the head, Nigel McGuinness’ return was a masterclass in misdirection. Now, as fans speculate on what’s next, one thing is certain: when it comes to surprises, McGuinness and AEW just proved they can still keep us all guessing.