‘Very Very Long Overdue’ – Former WWE Star Addresses Nick Aldis’ SummerSlam 2026 In-Ring Debut

Published: Jul 26, 2026 by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: Jul 26, 2026 by Jamie Toolan

Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.

‘Very Very Long Overdue’ – Former WWE Star Addresses Nick Aldis’ SummerSlam 2026 In-Ring Debut

A former WWE star has addressed Nick Aldis’ in-ring debut for the company at SummerSlam 2026.

For the first time since signing with the company in 2023, Nick Aldis will step into a WWE ring this coming weekend at SummerSlam 2026.

Taking on GUNTHER, who he has been at odds with since May, Aldis will get to showcase his in-ring talents which carried him to TNA and NWA World Championship wins prior to joining WWE, but as a result of doing so, he has had to temporarily forfeit his position as SmackDown General Manager.

This being a temporary resignation of his office duties suggests that Aldis’ in-ring return may be a one-off, but regardless of where it leads, former WWE star Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal) is “very happy” to see Nick get the opportunity to compete in a WWE ring.

Speaking on Busted Open, Dhesi described Aldis’ WWE in-ring debut as “very very long overdue”:

“On a personal note I am very happy for Nick getting that moment to wrestle in WWE. It’s very very long overdue.

“Me and Nick are roughly the same age, we started at the same age. He had a tremendous trajectory up front, really touted as the future of professional wrestling. I remember watching TNA and being blown away that this guy is this young and this good and is in this type of shape. He was years beyond where he should have been, years beyond where I was at that time.

“I would hate for him to wrestle like a civilian wrestles, like a GM. I have a feeling that we’re gonna see Nick Aldis in trunks and a beautiful pair of boots and he’s gonna be presented like a professional wrestler.”

While Dhesi believes Aldis will be presented in a manner which pays respect to his history as a top tier pro wrestler, he does think WWE could have done a better job in showcasing Aldis’ past wrestling exploits in the build to his SummerSlam match:

“One thing that I feel that WWE could have done is made a highlight package, highlighting his career, some of his moments, some of his in-ring action, delivering some cool moves or getting a feel of what his moves are, his signature moves are, his finisher is etc.”

Dhesi would then discuss Aldis’ future beyond SummerSlam, stating his belief that a good showing from the SmackDown GM could persuade WWE to move him into a full-time in-ring role:

“I also believe there’s a chance that Nick has such a good showing that WWE realizes ‘Hey, maybe he has more value as a professional wrestler’ and that would make me very very happy if that happens.

“If it doesn’t happen he’s doing a tremendous job as the GM and I’m glad that it’s just a temporary resignation and he will resume his duties as GM, because I was a little confused at first.

“When he resigned I was like, ok he’s gonna be a wrestler now? Where is this headed? But yes, the plan is for him to become GM after SummerSlam, but I really think there is a chance that we see Nick Aldis wrestle more often.”

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As Aldis mentioned during his contract signing segment with GUNTHER on SmackDown, it has been three years since his last wrestling match, which, according to Cagematch.net, came on October 7, 2023 for Appalachian Championship Wrestling.