AEW’s Nigel McGuinness Credits Michael Cole for Commentary Skills

One big thing: Michael Cole’s influence on AEW commentator

AEW’s Nigel McGuinness has revealed that WWE’s Michael Cole taught him “99 out of 100 things” about his current role as a commentator.

Key details:

• McGuinness worked as a commentator for WWE from 2017 to 2022, primarily on NXT.
• He credits Michael Cole for most of his commentary knowledge.
• McGuinness now works for AEW, where he feels he has more freedom to “push the boat out.

By the numbers:

• McGuinness spent 5 years working as a commentator in WWE.
• He called NXT, NXT Level Up, and 205 Live before his release in 2022.

What they’re saying:

“If I know 100 things about commentary in pro wrestling, probably 99 of them come from Michael Cole, so I’ll forever be grateful for him,” McGuinness said on Talk Is Jericho.

Why it matters:

McGuinness’s praise for Cole highlights the significant influence WWE’s production style has on commentators across the industry. It also underscores the transferable skills between promotions, even as AEW seeks to differentiate itself from WWE.

The big picture:

McGuinness’s transition from WWE to AEW represents a broader trend of talent movement between the two major promotions, bringing different perspectives and experiences to each company’s product.

What’s next:

McGuinness continues to develop his commentary style in AEW, where he recently returned to in-ring action at All In and faced Bryan Danielson at Grand Slam.

How do you think Nigel McGuinness’s commentary style has evolved since joining AEW? Share your thoughts in the comments below.