Is WWE planning to book Gunther vs Nick Aldis after Night of Champions 2026 altercation?
(Courtesy : WWE)
Nick Aldis is on administrative leave.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has been put on administrative leave following Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last weekend. After losing the triple threat match for the Undisputed title in the main event of Night of Champions, ‘The Ring General’ Gunther confronted Aldis backstage.
The confrontation soon turned into a physical altercation as Gunther accused Aldis of favoritism and claimed he was jealous, even calling him a failed wrestler. Security and officials rushed in time to separate the two.
“You screwed me over in Europe, you screwed me here. You’re jealous. You would love to be in my position. You’re jealous because you are a failed wrestler yourself! You’re miserable!”
During the June 29 fallout edition of Monday Night Raw, Michael Cole revealed that both men have been sent home after the incident. Cole added that Aldis had been placed on administrative leave and is “under investigation. As a result, Adam Pearce has assumed responsibility for overseeing both RAW and SmackDown.
WWE did not provide any clarity on whether Aldis or Gunther will return to next week’s SmackDown. However, the altercation led to massive speculation of an in-ring return for Aldis. Now, a report from Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select has provided more context on Aldis’ potential in-ring return.
Nick Aldis’ last televised match took place in August 2023
According to the report, WWE has held extensive internal discussions about a potential in-ring storyline involving Gunther and the SmackDown GM.
A source noted that the idea of Aldis returning to compete has come up multiple times in the past, including a proposed feud with Solo Sikoa in 2025. A rivalry between Aldis and Gunther had also been considered previously, although not in the context of the current storyline.
If the match ultimately happens, the expectation is that Aldis would step into the ring himself against Gunther rather than appointing someone else to face him on his behalf.
Notably, if Aldis does make his in-ring return, he will make his WWE debut despite joining the company as a backstage producer and later as the on-screen General Manager of SmackDown. Aldis has spent his career wrestling in TNA and multiple independent promotions.
His last in-ring appearance came in 2023 in TNA, and now, with the altercation, speculations are rife for an in-ring return potentially at SummerSlam next month.
What was Aldis’ last in-ring appearance?
Aldis’ last televised match took place in August 2023 during his final stint with Impact Wrestling, where he lost to Eric Young. Meanwhile, Cagematch lists his last match in October at an ACW Bluegrass Con event in Kentucky, where he took part in a vacant ACW Bluegrass Con Title Five-Way Match.
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