As the wrestling world remained perplexed by Shane McMahon’s sudden resignation from WWE, another intriguing story emerged Tuesday when a wrestler believed to be WWE bound instead signed with TNA. Initially described as an embarrassing paperwork error on WWE’s part, news now indicates that the situation played out far more rationally.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE, who had verbally agreed to a deal with Nigel McGuinness, backed off when his pre-contract screening revealed a troubling history of injuries. WWE’s resistance over the injury allowed McGuinness to contact TNA and score a deal with the number two company. It was never a matter of WWE stalling on the paperwork, although some sources allege McGuinness was spreading that story.
McGuinness will perform for TNA under the name Desmond Wolf, which can be copyrighted by the organization. Interestingly, it was Nigel himself who came up with the TNA gimmick name, says PWInsider, so this was not a case of a global wrestling promotion slapping an unwanted name on a talent.
Bryan Danielson, meanwhile, is indeed still WWE bound and expected to debut imminently.