Has WWE signed a new star to SmackDown? Know the identity of the talent featured in cryptic clip
Stars join WWE at various times throughout the year. The episodes of RAW and SmackDown after big events like SummerSlam are usually good spots to feature a new or returning talent.
The latest episode of SmackDown featured a vignette for a familiar face. That face, however, was portraying a different character. Which WWE star was promoted during the cryptic introductory clip on the blue brand this week?
Fans may have been familiar with Giovanni Vinci as the man featured in the vignette. He was unceremoniously kicked out of Imperium earlier this year after several months of failures alongside Ludwig Kaiser.
Kaiser brutally assaulted his former ally much to the approval of The Ring General, Gunther. The attack occurred before the 2024 WWE Draft, negating the possibility of breaking up the faction via selections to different brands.
While Kaiser and Gunther were selected to WWE RAW as a pair, Vinci was one of the final selections made by SmackDown. He hasn't been used since. With Gunther and Kaiser on RAW, enough time has seemingly passed for the former member to be reintroduced.
Giovanni Vinci's history in WWE
Vinci started with WWE as a participant in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. He went under his real name, Fabian Aichner, losing to Jack Gallagher in the preliminary round of 32 competitors.
As Aichner, he joined Imperium in NXT UK. Along with Kaiser, Imperium won the NXT Tag Team Titles from Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher. The duo earned a second title run by defeating MSK.
After a big tag team loss, Aichner walked out on Kaiser in NXT. Kaiser and Gunther then debuted shortly thereafter as Imperium on SmackDown. Aichner then pivoted to the Vinci character, portraying a stylish, sophisticated European who loves fast cars and the finer things in life.
He adopted the phrase "Veni, Vidi, Vinci," words he ended the vignette with on SmackDown this week. Vinci later debuted as the newest member of Imperium at the first Clash at the Castle event in Cardiff in 2022.
While Vinci was an arrogant heel, this version introduced a man who still favored style and the finer things but one who appreciated the past it took to get to this point.
Since he was kicked out of Imperium, it makes sense to reintroduce him as a face. When he officially returns to the ring, however, things could change. Whatever happens, SmackDown added a world-class athlete and former NXT Tag Team Champion in Giovanni Vinci.