History of Nigel McGuinness in Timeline
Nigel McGuinness (Steven Haworth) is an English professional wrestler and commentator currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he provides color commentary on Collision and occasionally wrestles. He's well-known for his wrestling career with promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Pro Wrestling Noah, and WWE.
3 hours ago : AEW Collision: McGuinness & Garcia vs FTR, Moné Defends, Okada & Bailey Face-Off
AEW Collision on May 22, 2025, featured FTR versus McGuinness & Garcia, Mercedes Moné defending her TBS title, and a face-off between Okada and Bailey.
January 1976: Steven Haworth's Birth
In January 1976, Steven Haworth, who is known as Nigel McGuinness, was born.
1992: Attends SummerSlam
In 1992, Nigel McGuinness attended SummerSlam while wearing The Ultimate Warrior face paint.
1997: Graduates from Kent State University
In 1997, Nigel McGuinness graduated from Kent State University with a 2:1 degree in chemistry.
September 1998: Begins Training in HWA
In September 1998, Nigel McGuinness began training under Les Thatcher in the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) in Cincinnati, Ohio.
September 1999: Debuts as Nigel McGuinness
In September 1999, Nigel McGuinness debuted under the ring name "Nigel McGuinness", defeating GQ Masters III in a match that was featured on ABC's 20/20.
1999: Start of Career
In 1999, Nigel McGuinness started his wrestling career in the American independent circuit.
July 2001: Wins HWA Tag Team Championship
On 10 July 2001, Nigel McGuinness defeated Dean Jablonski to win the HWA Tag Team Championship for himself and his partner, The Human Time Bomb.
December 2001: Wrestles for All Star Wrestling promotions
Between September and December 2001, Nigel McGuinness wrestled for All Star Wrestling promotions, learning from wrestlers such as Robbie Brookside.
July 2002: Wins HWA Tag Team Championship for a Second Time
On 23 July 2002, Nigel McGuinness and The Human Time Bomb won the HWA Tag Team Championship for a second time, defeating the Jablonski brothers.
August 2003: Debuts in Ring of Honor
On 9 August 2003, Nigel McGuinness debuted in Ring of Honor (ROH), defeating Chet Jablonski.
September 2003: Loses HWA European Championship
On 30 September 2003, Nigel McGuinness lost the HWA European Championship to Hoss.
September 2003: Wins HWA Heavyweight Championship
On 6 September 2003, Nigel McGuinness won the HWA Heavyweight Championship, defeating Chad Collyer.
2003: Begins working with ROH
In 2003, Nigel McGuinness began working with Ring of Honor (ROH).
January 2004: Loses and Regains HWA Heavyweight Championship
On 3 January 2004, Nigel McGuinness lost the HWA Heavyweight Championship to Hoss, but regained it on 6 January.
March 2004: Loses HWA Heavyweight Championship
On 17 March 2004, Nigel McGuinness lost the HWA Heavyweight Championship to El Temor.
August 2004: Appears in TNA
On 11 August 2004, Nigel McGuinness appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in a 22-man Gauntlet for the Gold for the TNA X Division Championship.
2004: Wrestles for ROH
In 2004, Nigel McGuinness wrestled for ROH, but had limited success.
March 2005: Challenges for ROH Tag Team Championship
In March 2005, Nigel McGuinness and Colt Cabana challenged for the ROH Tag Team Championship but were defeated by Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer.
May 2005: Defeats Colt Cabana
On 7 May 2005, Nigel McGuinness defeated Colt Cabana, earning a shot at the ROH Pure Championship.
June 2005: Challenges for ROH Pure Championship
On 12 June 2005, Nigel McGuinness challenged Samoa Joe for the ROH Pure Championship but was defeated.
September 2005: Wrestles on Sunday Night Heat
On 11 September 2005, Nigel McGuinness wrestled Danny Basham on Sunday Night Heat, taped before Raw on September 5th, losing after an inverted DDT.
November 2005: Returns to TNA and tours Japan with NOAH
In November 2005, Nigel McGuinness returned to TNA and toured Japan with NOAH. In November and December of 2005, he wrestled nine matches in total, seven of which he won.
December 2005: Tours Japan with NOAH
In November and December 2005, Nigel McGuinness toured Japan with NOAH, wrestling in nine matches.
2005: Malapropistic Gimmick
In 2005, Nigel McGuinness adopted a malapropistic gimmick in ROH, mispronouncing words, such as referring to the "Boston Red Stockings" instead of the "Boston Red Sox".
2005: Wins ROH Pure Championship
In 2005, Nigel McGuinness held the ROH Pure Championship for a record 350 days, eventually losing it to Bryan Danielson in a unification match with the ROH World Championship.
March 2006: Defeats Claudio Castagnoli
On 25 March 2006, Nigel McGuinness defeated Claudio Castagnoli in what was billed as Castagnoli's last chance to win the ROH Pure Championship as long as McGuinness was champion.
September 2006: Challenges for GHC Heavyweight Championship
On 16 September 2006, Nigel McGuinness challenged for Pro Wrestling Noah's GHC Heavyweight Championship at ROH's Glory by Honor V – Night 2, but was defeated by Naomichi Marufuji.
December 2006: Loses to Jimmy Rave at The Chicago Spectacular Night 1 and Final Battle 2006
In December 2006, Jimmy Rave defeated Nigel McGuinness at The Chicago Spectacular Night 1 on December 8th and again at Final Battle 2006 on December 23rd, using his new submission move, the Heel Hook.
2006: Feud with Bryan Danielson
Throughout 2006, Nigel McGuinness feuded with Bryan Danielson, culminating in a unification match where McGuinness lost the Pure Championship and Danielson retained the World title. McGuinness ultimately failed to regain the title.
January 2007: Loses to Jimmy Rave in "I Quit" Match
In January 2007, Jimmy Rave defeated Nigel McGuinness in an "I Quit" match, which was won via referee stoppage.
September 2007: Earns ROH World Championship Shot
On 15 September 2007, Nigel McGuinness earned another shot at Takeshi Morishima's ROH World Championship.
October 2007: Disqualification at IPW:UK British National Championship
On 14 October 2007, Nigel McGuinness was disqualified from the British National Championship held by International Pro Wrestling: United Kingdom (IPW:UK) for using brass knuckles in his match against James Tighe, leading to his elimination from the tournament.
October 2007: Wins ROH World Championship
On 6 October 2007, Nigel McGuinness won the ROH World Championship at Undeniable.
December 2007: Injured during ROH World Championship defense
On 29 December 2007, while defending the ROH World Championship against Austin Aries, Nigel McGuinness injured his head, resulting in a concussion, broken nose, and lacerations requiring 14 stitches.
2007: Wins King of Europe Cup
In 2007, Nigel McGuinness won the King of Europe Cup, defeating Doug Williams in the final.
2007: Wins ROH World Championship
In 2007, Nigel McGuinness won the ROH World Championship and held the title for 545 days.
2007: Suffers Torn Biceps
In late 2007, it was confirmed that Nigel McGuinness had suffered a torn biceps, but would not be stripped of the ROH World Championship.
January 2008: Defends ROH World Championship Against Chris Hero
On 25 January 2008, Nigel McGuinness defended his ROH World Championship in a steel cage match against Chris Hero.
November 2008: Defends Title Against Bryan Danielson
On 22 November 2008, Nigel McGuinness defended his ROH World Championship against Bryan Danielson at Rising Above.
March 2009: Sustains Arm Injury
On 20 March 2009, Nigel McGuinness sustained an arm injury during a tag team match, but wrestled the next night, retaining his title.
April 2009: Wins 1PW Openweight Championship
In April 2009, Nigel McGuinness won the 1PW Openweight Championship, marking his first title win in a British promotion, by defeating Johnny Moss.
April 2009: Loses ROH World Championship
On 3 April 2009, Nigel McGuinness lost the ROH World Championship to Jerry Lynn, ending his reign at 545 days.
September 2009: ROH announces Haworth's agreement with WWE
In September 2009, Ring of Honor (ROH) announced that Nigel Haworth had agreed to a contract with WWE "in principle".
October 2009: WWE Deal Falls Through; Signs with TNA
In October 2009, Nigel Haworth's deal with WWE fell through due to a failed physical after an old biceps injury needed surgery. He then signed with TNA and debuted as Desmond Wolfe on the 22 October episode of Impact!, attacking Kurt Angle.
October 2009: Joins TNA as Desmond Wolfe
In October 2009, Nigel McGuinness began working in TNA under the ring name Desmond Wolfe.
January 2010: Feud with D'Angelo Dinero
On 4 January 2010, Desmond Wolfe was defeated by D'Angelo Dinero on Impact!. At Genesis in January 2010, Wolfe debuted Chelsea as his new valet and defeated Dinero in a rematch.
September 2010: End of TNA in-ring run
In September 2010, Haworth's in-ring run in TNA ended after he tested positive for hepatitis B, resulting in him being taken off TV and never wrestling for the company again.
November 2010: Dixie Carter announces Wolfe's comeback
On 21 November 2010, TNA president Dixie Carter announced that Desmond Wolfe was close to a comeback.
December 2010: Return to TNA tapings
On 10 December 2010, Desmond Wolfe made his return in a non-televised segment at the TNA tapings, saving Doug Williams from A.J. Styles and Rob Terry.
January 2011: Wolfe returns to TNA
On 6 January 2011, Desmond Wolfe officially returned to TNA television, when he and Magnus saved Doug Williams from Fortune members A.J. Styles and Rob Terry.
May 2011: Wolfe Returns to TNA as Xplosion Commissioner
In May 2011, Desmond Wolfe returned to TNA as the new commissioner of Xplosion, turning face in the process.
June 2011: Retirement from In-Ring Performing
In June 2011, Nigel McGuinness retired from in-ring performing due to medical complications.
August 2011: Returns to ROH as Commentator
In August 2011, Nigel McGuinness returned to ROH as a color commentator and on-screen authority figure.
December 2011: Final Match of Retirement Tour
On 17 December 2011, Nigel McGuinness had his final match at an APWA event in Clarksburg, West Virginia, initially losing but then winning the APWA Championship due to a decision reversal.
November 2012: Named ROH Matchmaker
At the 3 November 2012 tapings, Nigel McGuinness was named the new "Matchmaker" of Ring of Honor, replacing Jim Cornette.
December 2012: Releases "The Last of McGuinness" documentary
In December 2012, Nigel McGuinness released a documentary titled "The Last of McGuinness" about his final days as an in-ring performer, revealing the reasons for his WWE contract being rescinded and the end of his TNA career.
May 2013: Tours UK with documentary and advocates for Hepatitis B awareness
In late May 2013, Nigel McGuinness toured the United Kingdom with his documentary and advocated for hepatitis B vaccination and an end to intentional blood loss in wrestling.
December 2014: McGuinness reveals Hepatitis B diagnosis
In December 2014, Nigel McGuinness revealed on a podcast that he tested positive for Hepatitis B.
2014: Works in the film industry
In 2014, Nigel McGuinness began working in the film industry as an Assistant Editor and Production Assistant and launched a Kickstarter campaign for "L.A. Fights".
December 2016: Leaves ROH and signs with WWE
In December 2016, Nigel McGuinness left ROH and signed with WWE to work as a commentator for NXT and NXT UK.
December 2016: Resigns as ROH Matchmaker
In December 2016, Ring of Honor (ROH) announced that Nigel McGuinness had resigned as the promotion's matchmaker.
December 2016: Signs with WWE as a commentator
In December 2016, WWE announced that Nigel McGuinness had signed with the company as a commentator after being recommended by Michael Cole.
2016: Last appearance on ROH
Nigel McGuinness returned to ROH in March 2023 for the first time since 2016.
January 2017: Commentary debut at WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament
On 14 and 15 January 2017, Nigel McGuinness made his commentary debut at the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, alongside Michael Cole.
2019: WWE releases documentary on McGuinness' career
In 2019, WWE released a documentary on Nigel McGuinness' career entitled "Chasing the Magic: The Nigel McGuinness Story" on the WWE Network.
October 22, 2022: Released from WWE
On October 22, 2022, Nigel McGuinness was released from WWE, ending his six-year tenure with the company.
March 2023: One-man show in California
In March 2023, Haworth staged a one-man show in Santa Monica, California, which combined stories from his wrestling career with magic.
March 2023: Returns to ROH as a commentator
In March 2023, Nigel McGuinness made his surprise return to ROH for the first time since 2016, as a commentator at Supercard of Honor.
April 2023: Signs with AEW
On 5 April 2023, AEW and ROH President and CEO Tony Khan announced that Nigel McGuinness signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
June 2023: Continues commentary on Ring of Honor Wrestling
Nigel McGuinness continued to commentate on Ring of Honor Wrestling from April to June 2023.
March 8, 2024: AEW Collision commentary team reduced
Since Kevin Kelly departed AEW on March 8, 2024, the commentary team has been reduced to Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness.
August 2024: In-ring return at All In
On 25 August 2024, Nigel McGuinness made his in-ring return at All In at Wembley Stadium as the third entrant of the Casino Gauntlet, but did not win. This marked McGuinness' first wrestling match since 2011.
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