Nick Aldis WWE Plans After SummerSlam 2026 In-Ring Debut

WWE

At the July 18 WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Nick Aldis cost GUNTHER and Sami Zayn their tag team match against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes after being attacked by ‘The Ring General’ two weeks ago.

Then at the SummerSlam Kickoff Show, Aldis and GUNTHER went face-to-face, leading to an intense pullapart brawl that set up a grudge match for the WWE SummerSlam 2026 premium live event.

Now that he will finally step inside the squared circle in WWE, Aldis could be in store for some changes in his time in the company coming out of this debut match at SummerSlam.

Here are seven potential Nick Aldis WWE plans after SummerSlam 2026 in-ring debut.

7. Starting Brand Warfare Against Raw General Manager Adam Pearce

Ever since signing with WWE in 2023, Nick Aldis has served as the SmackDown General Manager and has his fair share of issues with Adam Pearce.

The Raw and SmackDown General Managers have been at each other’s throats at times with stars from the main roster crossing over between the two brands.

Aldis stepping in the ring could set the stage for the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion to want to prove SmackDown is better than Raw in a major way.

Starting brand warfare against the Raw GM, Aldis feuding with Pearce more directly would be a change and lead to some ramifications across Raw and SmackDown moving forward.

6. Become An Active In-Ring Competitor

Nick Aldis has been an in-ring performer for well over 20 years now with his wrestling career starting in 2004.

With all of his experience, Aldis could have been chomping at the bit to finally have his first WWE match.

While he has done a splendid job as the SmackDown General Manager, Aldis might want to continue to shine inside the squared circle coming off his battle with GUNTHER at WWE SummerSlam 2026.

Aldis becoming an active in-ring competitor could give him the biggest break of his career and setting himself to be a key player for WWE moving forward.

5. Continuing Feud With GUNTHER

On the July 10 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, GUNTHER attacked SmackDown GM Nick Aldis with a sleeper, putting him down.

This led to Aldis getting a measure of revenge by costing GUNTHER and Sami Zayn their high stakes tag team match against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes where they could have been added to the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam.

While “The Ring General” is one of the biggest stars on the WWE roster, Aldis might not stop until he gets full vengeance on GUNTHER.

Win, lose or draw, Aldis could want to continue his feud with GUNTHER and take him down once and for all.

4. Rekindle Rivalry With Cody Rhodes

Prior to signing with WWE, Nick Aldis had interacted and even faced off with several members of the roster.

Back at All In 2018, Aldis defended the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Cody Rhodes in one of the biggest matches on the card.

Trading the top prize in the National Wrestling Alliance, Rhodes and Aldis developed a heated rivalry with one another that has been vaguely referenced over the past few years.

Aldis rekindling his rivalry with Cody Rhodes would make for a compelling story to unfold and see how things develop stemming from their past in NWA.

3. Start His Own Faction

During his time in TNA Wrestling, Nick Aldis created a faction alongside Dixie Carter and Rockstar Spud in the promotion.

Then when he made his way to the National Wrestling Alliance, Aldis created a new stable called Strictly Business alongside Kamille, Thom Latimer and Royce Issacs.

Now that he could become an in-ring worker in WWE, Aldis may once again start a new group that will help him establish himself as a competitor.

Aldis forming a new faction would make him a central figure in the main event picture for WWE in the near future.

2. Unfinished Business With Drew McIntyre

To start 2026, Drew McIntyre became Undisputed WWE Champion and proved himself to be a huge problem for SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.

This led many fans to believe and speculate if McIntyre could step inside the squared circle against Aldis down the line.

The former TNA World Champion getting back in the ring might see him clash with another top star sometime soon.

Aldis completing his unfinished business with McIntyre could set the stage for a heated grudge match on a major show in the coming months.

1. Long Awaited Showdown With Randy Orton

When Nick Aldis first became SmackDown GM, the first WWE star who put his hands on the authority figure was Randy Orton.

‘The Legend Killer’ let it be known that he did not fear putting his hands on Aldis at any time he liked.

This led to Orton dropping Aldis yet again with a RKO after it was revealed Kevin Owens was being pulled from WrestleMania 41 following a serious neck injury.

Considering everything that has happened between these two over the past few years, it seems like a no-brainer to have Aldis square off with Orton in a major match sometime soon.

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• wwe
• SummerSlam
• nick aldis

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