Nigel McGuinness Files Ring Name Trademark Application Amid Return Rumours
Is AEW's Nigel McGuinness about to return to the ring for the first time in 11 years?
Nigel McGuinness has filed a trademark application for his ring name with the United States Patent and Trademark office, fuelling growing speculation on an in-ring return.
McGuinness (real name: Steven Haworth) filed the application on 4 May. It is currently listed as "awaiting assignment to an examining attorney", and is being filed for the following purposes:-
GS0411 Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
First used in September 1999, the "Nigel McGuinness" trademark had been considered "dead" since May 2017.
McGuinness' last match came against TJ Phillips on an independent show in December 2011. The former Ring of Honor and TNA star did not retire on his own terms, doing so primarily due to persistent health issues. A medical evaluation conducted during an unsuccessful WWE pre-screening process revealed, in 2009, that he had contracted hepatitis B. Nigel began winding down his wrestling career thereafter, finishing up following a retirement tour in 2011.
AEW signed McGuinness, who was released from his non-wrestling WWE role in October 2022, this April. The 47-year-old recently told Digital Spy that should AEW sell Wembley Stadium out for All In later this year, he would consider dusting his boots off and getting back in the ring.