MOTW 53: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness

“M.O.T.W. #53: The 'American Dragon', Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness” - ink & digital illustration

We’re back, officially kicking off year 2 of our ‘Match of the Week’ illustration series & we’re starting with a match (& feud) that’s been quite special to me. This edition comes on-location from my holiday in Hanoi, Vietnam!

This bout took place on September 25th of 2024, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NYC for All Elite Wrestling’s big 2024 'Grand Slam' episode of AEW Dynamite.

So I absolutely adored this epic Ring of Honor rivalry. I’ll never forget that Liverpool match as long as I live. All of their ROH matches felt like you were seeing something truly special. I actually even got to see Danielson vs. McGuinness in person in Melbourne, Australia of all places at a dingy community basketball court many years back! So I can’t tell you how excited I was when it looked like we were getting one more addition to it all these years later.

Reflecting on it, this felt like a special bonus addendum to the series. Of course it was never going to touch their previous matches but what we got still felt magical. Admittedly, there were parts that definitely weren’t as hard-hitting as those previous classics but there were other parts that just put the biggest smile on my face. Some properly wonderful nods to their various previous exchanges. And for a few moments, it felt like I was transported back in time to my days living at my parents house of crazy-excitedly opening up my latest ROH dvd mail packet with the most recent chapter of Dragon vs Nigel inside!

I’m so grateful that we got this. Especially in New York of all places. Likely in front of many of the same fans who attended their last match back in 2009 at the Manhattan Centre. The emotional farewell for both from the company that they were so important to.

Plus, getting Final Countdown once more was just the icing on the cake!

ENJOY!

Fancy, high quality art prints are now available to purchase for as little as 25 clams, FREE worldwide postage!

HQ Basic Art Prints: Printed on 189gsm, museum-quality matte paper stock, printed with high-quality multicolour, water-based inkjet printing technique. (Printing & delivery arranged by Printful).

'Premium' Art Prints: Voluptuously extra thick, textured & hand-signed! Printed on 320gsm 'Sihl Masterclass Textured Cotton Rag', French made, Cold Press style textured art paper. High archival rating, printed with 12 colour Canon Lucia EX pigment Inks, expected life over 100 years if displayed correctly. Since I send these out myself, I'll also include a little bonus 'surprise' for you! + ALL PREMIUM PRINT PURCHASES COME WITH CHRIS THINGS ZINE VOL. 1!!

Pre-Framed Art Prints (HQ Basic): For those who don't want to worry about the hassles of framing! Printed on 189gsm, museum-quality matte paper stock, printed with high-quality multicolour, water-based inkjet printing technique. Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick, light-weight wooden frame from renewable forests. (Printing, framing & delivery arranged by Printful).

Pre-Framed Art Prints (Premium): Printed on 320gsm 'Sihl Masterclass Textured Cotton Rag', French made, Cold Press style textured art paper. High archival rating, printed with 12 colour Canon Lucia EX pigment Inks, expected life over 100 years if displayed correctly. Black or Oak-finish frame (Medium-density fibreboard) w/ double-mat border. 8 x 8" print size / 10 x 10" total frame size. Since I send these out myself, I'll also include a little bonus 'surprise' for you! + ALL PREMIUM PRINT PURCHASES COME WITH CHRIS THINGS ZINE VOL. 1!!

Original Pen Illustration: The one & only original pen sketch (pictured) that spawned this illustration can be yours & yours alone! Hand-drawn on lovely, thick, slightly textured, eco-friendly, wood-free paper stock, straight out of my mole-skin drawing book. Available until it's not!

Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you require a different size - all prints made to order.