Nick Aldis could soon wrestle his first WWE match since becoming SmackDown General Manager. While WWE hasn’t officially announced anything, a new report says the company is using his recent absence from TV to set up his in-ring debut at SummerSlam 2026.
The story took a big turn on this week’s episode of RAW, where WWE announced that Aldis had been placed on administrative leave. Tensions boiled over after his heated backstage confrontation with Gunther following Night of Champions. With Aldis out, RAW General Manager Adam Pearce is now in charge of both Raw and SmackDown.
Report says Nick Aldis might face Gunther at SummerSlam
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said WWE is planning a SummerSlam match between Aldis and Gunther.
“I think they’re going to wrestle at SummerSlam, yeah. Nick’s younger than Adam Pearce. I never heard a lot of interest in Adam Pearce wrestling, even though Adam Pearce is a character and everything. I think he’s great, but I never sensed that. Aldis, I guess because he’s big, got the big shoulders and all that in the suit, there’s always been that thing like, ‘Oh, he should wrestle.’ I’d say there’s more interest in him wrestling,” Meltzer said.
Since joining WWE in 2023, Aldis has only appeared as SmackDown General Manager, even though he had a successful wrestling career before signing with the company. However, Meltzer also said he hopes this is just a one-time match.
“Hopefully, it’s only a one-match thing. I like him as a General Manager, and I think if they replace him, they’re probably replacing him with someone who’s not as good. If he becomes a wrestler, I don’t think he’ll be successful at this stage of the game,” Meltzer said.
If the report is correct, fans will finally get to see Aldis wrestle in WWE without him giving up his role as General Manager.
Bryan Alvarez also explained why the current storyline makes sense. Since Aldis has been placed on administrative leave, he is no longer acting as SmackDown General Manager. That removes the conflict of interest and gives him a reason to step into the ring.
The reported SummerSlam match could emerge as the next chapter in their rivalry that began after their physical altercation at Night of Champions.
Read More: WWE Announces Major SmackDown GM Change As Nick Aldis Goes on Leave
