 After being recommended by WWE lead commentator Michael Cole, on 15 December 2016, WWE announced that McGuinness had signed with the company as a commentator.McGuinness made his commentary debut at the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament on 14 and 15 January 2017, alongside Michael Cole.McGuinness became a colour commentator for "NXT" on the 8 February episode, establishing himself as a "heel sympathizer".