WWE's Nick Aldis confirms unique scenario for in-ring return
Nick Aldis began working for World Wrestling Entertainment last year after finishing up his commitments for TNA/IMPACT Wrestling. Aldis had dropped the IMPACT World Title to Alex Shelley at IMPACT Slammiversary and worked a few TV tapings in the summer of 2023.
His first role in WWE was as a backstage producer, which was a tryout. By October, WWE CCO Triple H introduced Aldis on SmackDown as the brand's General Manager. He has since worked for the company exclusively in those two roles.
During a sit-down interview with Chris Van Vliet on his INSIGHT podcast, Nick Aldis was asked whether he is at peace with the in-ring career he has had thus far. The sheriff of SmackDown admitted that he is not. Aldis further added that at this stage, he had earned at least one match:
"Honestly, no," Nick Aldis said in response to feeling content with his in-ring career thus far. "I would like to lace them up. I don't care if it's on a regular basis, but I've earned it. If it was one more time, so be it. I feel like I meet the criteria to be on that canvas at least once." [From 44:17 to 44:54]
Nick Aldis reflects on feeling betrayed by Cody Rhodes before WWE
In an interview with Inside The Ropes earlier this year, Nick Aldis discussed wrestling Cody Rhodes for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title at the All In pay-per-view in 2018. He was not made aware beforehand that Rhodes and Tony Khan were planning All Elite Wrestling.
AEW began its run one year later, with The American Nightmare being a co-founder and also was the Executive Vice President. Today, the company stands as a worthy rival to WWE.
"I think in this business, if you start playing the comparison game, you can really go down a rabbit hole of bitterness and resentment very quickly. I felt a little betrayed when I found out that they were all familiar; they were all aware of Tony Khan, and they'd been sort of plotting this thing [AEW]."
NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Thom Latimer believes Nick Aldis should step back into the squared circle. Latimer admitted that he could spark envy at Aldis because the latter is an all-rounder.
If you use the first quote, please credit INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.