SmackDown GM Nick Aldis’ in-ring future revealed after reports claim WWE never considered him as Randy Orton’s WrestleMania opponent

The former TNA World Champion Nick Aldis, who's the incumbent SmackDown general manager, is still open to an in-ring return.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis’ in-ring future revealed after reports claim WWE never considered him as Randy Orton’s WrestleMania opponent

Nick Aldis and Randy Orton [via- WWE]

Once Randy Orton infamously dropped Nick Aldis with an RKO a couple of weeks before WrestleMania 41, it sparked speculation among the fans that the two might actually wrestle each other. However, as everyone saw, TNA World Champion Joe Hendry was Kevin Owens‘ replacement for The Viper. In its latest edition of WrestleVotes Radio, the insider provided an update on if Aldis has an in-ring future in WWE.

It has been claimed that Aldis, 38, is still open to returning to in-ring action after not wrestling since 2023. However, the Brit is likely to lace up a pair of boots only if the story presented finds him hooked. WrestleVotes also noted that despite incessant rumors, WWE never actually considered pitting the SmackDown GM against a 14-time World Champion in Orton at The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Aldis underwent surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon last year, but was able to work the tapings through it. In fact, the 38-year-old’s on-screen presence has only worked in his favor. So much so that the WWE Universe keeps hailing him as one of the greatest general managers the brand has ever seen. It remains to be seen if he eventually makes his in-ring debut for WWE.

As for the man whom Aldis didn’t face at WrestleMania, i.e., Orton, the latter had fun. The Apex Predator emerged victorious in his twentieth appearance on the grand stage, and that came at the expense of Joe Hendry. While a portion of the internet complained that WWE buried the TNA sensation, so to speak, the promotion’s world title holder didn’t mind it at all. In fact, Hendry was sincerely grateful for the opportunity.

How did Nick Aldis get into WWE?

After grinding on the indies since 2004, Nick Aldis got the opportunity to work with WWE in the summer of 2023. In an interview he did with Chris Van Vliet, the erstwhile Magnus revealed that he directly texted WWE CCO Triple H to see if he’d be up for a conversation.

Nick Aldis
Nick Aldis [via- WWE]

The former TNA Champion alluded to the gatekeepers, those who could’ve precluded his message from reaching The Game, had he made the same mistake he’d made in the past. Aldis initially joined the company as a backstage producer. However, merely a couple of months after his arrival, the English grappler was promoted to an on-screen role.

Paul Levesque was there on that edition of SmackDown to introduce Mr. Aldis to the WWE Universe. The Mag Daddy also shook hands with his Raw counterpart Adam Pearce to kickstart a new era of WWE. In the same segment, Aldis dropped a bombshell by welcoming Kevin Owens to the blue brand, who’d traded in for Jey Uso.

Which one of Randy Orton’s RKOs on Nick Aldis wasn’t planned?

Nick Aldis has been on the receiving end of an RKO from Randy Orton that wasn’t always planned. In December 2023, when Orton had just returned from a career-threatening back injury, both the Raw and SmackDown GMs were keen on signing the 45-year-old to their respective brands.

Nick Aldis and Randy Orton
Nick Aldis and Randy Orton [via- WWE]

On D-Day, The Apex Predator chose to stay on SmackDown. It made Aldis go gaga. When the WWE official entered the ring to celebrate with Orton, the latter flattened him with his signature maneuver. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t planned.

Aldis told Chris Van Vliet in the aforementioned interview that the spot was called on the fly. The GM was informed about it when he was standing at ringside. Consequently, the former NWA Champion had to call the audible when he got to Orton. Next week, The Legend Killer was slapped with an undisclosed amount of fine.

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