Did concussions play a part in WWE not signing Nigel McGuinness?
One possible reason WWE backed off on signing Nigel McGuinness (now known as Desmond Wolfe in TNA) after having agreed to a verbal deal last month is his history of concussions, Alex Marvez wrote in his syndicated wrestling column a couple days ago.
Several wrestling Web sites reported earlier this week that McGuinness had failed WWE’s pre-screening medical exam, although there were no specifics. McGuinness, however, has gone on record as saying that the deal with WWE fell through because the company made a business decision.
“I had a clean bill of health from my orthopedic guy and my local doctor, so it’s not about that,” McGuiness told The Daily Star (U.K). “I don’t hold anything against [WWE]. It was a business decision, and they were only doing what they think is best for them.”
Marvez wrote that McGuinness told him in a telephone interview earlier this year that he had suffered at least “two or three” concussions, but he wasn’t certain of the exact number.
“I'm not making fun of it, but I do forget a lot of times,” McGuinness told Marvez in January. “I remember sometimes earlier in my career where I would get into a car at night and see bright lights in the sky. After one match with [Austin] Aries, I had to take the next night off and for a good week or so I couldn’t walk without stumbling. ... The weird thing is you don't know how many you can take before you suffer serious, permanent damage. ...
“It's something I need to worry about. Unfortunately in this business, there's only so much you can do.”
TNA does not test for concussions, according to Marvez.
In addition to his concussions, McGuinness suffered a torn biceps in 2007 and an arm injury last March. In regard to the latter, McGuinness opted to take time off rather than undergo surgery.
Comments
“I'm not making fun of it, but I do forget a lot of times,” McGuinness told Marvez in January. “I remember sometimes earlier in my career where I would get into a car at night and see bright lights in the sky. After one match with [Austin] Aries, I had to take the next night off and for a good week or so I couldn’t walk without stumbling. ... The weird thing is you don't know how many you can take before you suffer serious, permanent damage. ...
ummmm.....wow? Not saying this is shady, but TNA needs to be more cautious about this stuff. Considering the rumors about a nearly non-existent wellness policy/drug testing and the complete lack of concern they had in signing Kurt Angle despite his problems, both physical and "debatable", they seem a little Jerry Jones-ish.
Posted by: MechanicalBull | October 24, 2009 7:30 PM
First , is that the same Alex Marvez that writes for Fox ? I never knew he had a wrestling column .
Secondly , I can't believe TNA doesn't test for concussions . With all the study's today , that's shameful . But i guess also par for the course .
RESPONSE FROM KE: It is the same guy. Marvez has been writing about wrestling for years. I have always been amazed at how he can juggle covering the NFL and writing about wrestling.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 24, 2009 7:32 PM
If it was about concussions, then I don't thing WWE needs another Benoit situation on their hands.
Any word yet on where Bryan Danielson is headed to?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Danielson by all accounts is still WWE-bound.
Posted by: Dave | October 24, 2009 8:35 PM
Whether they like to admit it or not, I think Christopher Nowinski may have had a lasting effect on WWE.
(I purposely did not type "the WWE" as it doesn't make sense.)
Posted by: Andy | October 26, 2009 12:48 AM
Oh goodness. Everytime someone goes to TNA over WWE, all the WWE marks start coming out with all this stuff about how the guy has all these "issues". The said the same thing about Kurt Angle and how he was going to die after his first match and TNA. And Angle hasn't been out ONCE with injuries since goint to TNA. Funny how NONE of this talk about McGuinness' concussions came out when the news broks that WWE had signed him. It wasn't an issue to be concerned about back then, even though this Marvez interview had already happened. No, it's drug out from under the rug now that he is in TNA. WWE marks are so pathetic...
Posted by: Kevin | October 26, 2009 12:56 PM
Thanks for posting McGuiness' quote from The Daily Star...even though you didn't post my comment about telling you about it in your previous story about McGuiness.
RESPONSE FROM KE: That was in inadvertent oversight. Sometimes a few comments get overlooked/accidentally deleted due to the volume.
Posted by: Steve | October 26, 2009 4:10 PM
"RESPONSE FROM KE: It is the same guy. Marvez has been writing about wrestling for years. I have always been amazed at how he can juggle covering the NFL and writing about wrestling."
Yup, I remember reading his semi-regular wrestling column (on a semi-regular basis) in the Miami Herald at college 20 years ago.
Btw, I hope the Miz realizes he owes his wrestling success to Morrison - tag-teaming with him to stardom when Miz sucked - and now jobbing to him on a PPV.
Posted by: Ruzious | October 26, 2009 6:22 PM