Good effort from first-time filmmaker

McGuinness was a popular name on the independent circuit. He grew up with dreams of working for WWE but in 2010, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, received during a match, essentially putting an end to his 12 year career. He returned for a farewell tour in 2011 during which he filmed everything. His footage lasted over 70 hours, which he edited down to 90 minutes. He also shot various video confessions. Occasionally ranting, often swearing and at one point weeping, I respected his candour. Ironically, I frequently felt the film was good despite McGuinness.

A recurring point was how he would never be able to make big money as a wrestler. The film ended on a perceived positive note with McGuinness apparently coming to terms with this. Yet during the Q&A afterwards, he kept talking money. For me, it was hard to sympathise with someone throwing a tantrum over all the money he hadn’t made.

Meeting McGuinness after the Q&A, I was able to ask him if he felt bitter. His response: “It comes and goes”. ‘The Last of McGuinness’ is a good effort from a first time filmmaker, available through www.nigelwrestling.com