New WWE SmackDown General Manager

WWE

At WWE Night of Champions 2026, GUNTHER got into a physical confrontation with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.

“The Ring General” was quick to call out the fact that Aldis was a wrestler who was past his prime and had to become an authority figure in WWE.

With it looking like Aldis will lace up his boots again, there could be an opening in the SmackDown GM position with a new individual stepping up to fill the role.

Here are nine new potential WWE SmackDown General Managers.

9. Adam Pearce

Back in 2020, Adam Pearce became an authority figure for the first time and started to serve on both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.

Making a name for himself on the independent scene, Pearce established himself as one of the hard nosed, no-nonsense heels in the industry across a near 20-year career.

Bringing that credibility to his current role, Pearce has become one of the more respected and tenured General Managers in recent memory.

Considering WWE gave him the reins for the blue brand in Nick Aldis’ absence from the role, Pearce replacing his former competitive rival would be the logical move for the promotion to make at this time.

8. Robert Stone

Speaking of current authority figures, Robert Stone has taken over the position of NXT GM at the start of 2026.

The former manager and wrestler started from the bottom of the company and rose the ranks as an assistant before eventually replacing Ava as NXT General Manager.

Having a personality and the speaking ability that fits a main roster GM more, it would feel like a sensible next step in his time in WWE for Stone to move to SmackDown.

Stone becoming the new SmackDown GM would be further progression for his career and push him to the forefront as a prominent and consistent character on WWE TV.

7. Rey Mysterio

On the May 23 episode of AAA on FOX, Lucha Libre AAA announced that their new General Manager was Rey Mysterio.

The WWE and AAA Hall of Famer is still an active-in-ring performer, but he brings his knowledge and credibility to the GM position in a massive way since accepting the role.

While he is currently on Monday Night Raw, Mysterio will always be recognized for his first few years in WWE where he became one of the faces of the SmackDown brand.

Mysterio has everything it takes to fulfill the duties of the position as well as the history with the brand that makes him an ideal candidate for the new SmackDown GM.

6. Robert Roode

Over the past few years, WWE has looked to their producers and backstage personnel to fill on-screen non-wrestling roles.

Whether it be Nick Aldis or Adam Pearce, these producers and coaches have brought a level of class and professionalism that has allowed them years in the authority figure spot.

After his in-ring career came to an end, Robert Roode assumed the role as a backstage producer and has been behind some of the biggest moments in the company.

With his established talking skills and distinct character, Roode feels like a suitable replacement for Aldis as the new SmackDown General Manager and brings something different from what fans have seen in the past.

5. AJ Lee

Someone on the WWE roster who is no stranger to being the General Manager in WWE is AJ Lee.

In 2012, Lee accepted the position as the new Raw GM. Despite not lasting long in the job, she left an impact and is fondly remembered as one of the better additions to the authority figure role.

Following her loss to Becky Lynch at WWE WrestleMania 42, Lee has been off television over the past couple of months after posting a goodbye message on her social media.

Bringing her back in the fold in a different role than in-ring performer, Lee could try to establish her character as the new SmackDown GM where she can have some say in what her husband and new Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk is doing.

4. Asuka

At WWE Backlash 2026, IYO SKY defeated Asuka in a singles bout. After the loss, Asuka got emotional and embraced her former protege.

Then on the May 11 episode of Monday Night Raw, Asuka officially said goodbye to IYO in a backstage segment.

With “The Empress of Tomorrow” confirming this is only a temporary move and that she is still with WWE, Asuka’s return might see her take on a different role than what she has done in the ring for decades now.

Asuka becoming the new SmackDown General Manager would offer both her and the brand a new beginning moving forward.

3. Danhausen

Since making his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber 2026, Danhausen has become one of the most popular stars on the roster today.

Regularly featured on the company’s television, the “Very Nice, Very Evil” star has enjoyed his time in WWE and even crossed over to the mainstream due to his exploits with the 2026 NBA Champions The New York Knicks.

With everything he has done in a limited amount of matches, Danhausen continues to prove that a WWE star does not need to step inside the squared circle to make their presence felt on the product.

Considering all the hell he has caused for Nick Aldis in the past, Danhausen running the show on Friday Night SmackDown would provide some interesting scenarios and different interactions to explore.

2. Kevin Owens

On the road to WrestleMania 41, Kevin Owens announced that he would have to be pulled from the card due to a serious neck injury that required surgery.

Since it has now been well over a year since his announcement, many fans were wondering when Owens might be back in the company.

Missing the ring and being on the road, Owens may want to set himself up for success by making his return despite not being medically cleared just yet.

With his sharp wit, experience and charismatic personality, KO would make for a brilliant choice for the new SmackDown General Manager, especially considering his own sketchy history with Aldis.

1. AJ Styles

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, GUNTHER defeated AJ Styles to retire “The Phenomenal One” from in-ring competition.

Following this loss, Styles announced that he would not be going anywhere and had re-signed with the company as a coach, scout and brand ambassador.

“The Phenomenal One” is someone who has cemented his name and legacy over the course of a 25-year career.

While he has stepped out of the squared circle as a competitor, Styles could step back in as the new SmackDown General Manager considering his own memorable history on the blue brand.

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