Nick Aldis to suspend major WWE star for his off-screen actions; retirement news? - 5 things the SmackDown GM can announce on tonight's show
WWE will head to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, for tonight's edition of SmackDown. The show will feature the fallout from last Saturday's Bad Blood Premium Live Event.
The build-up to WWE Crown Jewel 2024 will also commence for the blue brand tonight. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis has a lot of big decisions to make after an eventful night in Atlanta last week.
So without further ado, let's take a look at five things Nick Aldis could announce on SmackDown tonight.
#5. Nick Aldis could reveal that AJ Styles has to retire
AJ Styles returned to WWE programming last week on SmackDown. The Phenomenal One made his first on-screen appearance since losing to Cody Rhodes in an I Quit match at Clash at the Castle.
The forty-seven-year-old veteran had an encounter with Carmelo Hayes, but unfortunately, he injured his left leg during the match. He had to get an MRI of the leg afterward.
Nick Aldis announced on X that Carmelo Hayes will get a United States Championship match against LA Knight tonight. This likely means that Styles will be out of the title picture for a while due to his injury.
The SmackDown General Manager could reveal tonight that Styles might be forced to retire. It may lead to the former WWE Champion being off television indefinitely and making a surprise return next year for one last run, possibly to put over Carmelo Hayes at WrestleMania 41.
#4. LA Knight vs. Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade at WWE Crown Jewel
Carmelo Hayes will get a United States title shot against LA Knight on SmackDown tonight, but he probably will not capture the title. The Megastar will retain clean or win via disqualification after Andrades interrupts the bout.
This may lead to Nick Aldis announcing that the United States Champion will defend his title in a Triple-Threat match against Hayes and Andrade at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia next month.
#3. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns 3 on SmackDown
Cody Rhodes' last defense of the Undisputed WWE Championship took place against Solo Sikoa on the USA Network premiere of SmackDown. He did not defend his title at Bad Blood and will not do it at Crown Jewel either because he will battle World Heavyweight Champion Gunther for the Crown Jewel title there.
Therefore, Nick Aldis may book The American Nightmare to defend his title on an upcoming episode of SmackDown on the road to Crown Jewel.
Roman Reigns will have a segment on tonight's show, and he may demand a rematch for the title. He got a win over The Bloodline last Saturday and may want to move on. The Original Tribal Chief was looking at the title after the main event of Bad Blood, seemingly making it clear that he wants the belt back.
So, Nick Aldis could grant the OTC his rematch tonight.
#2. A new challenger for Nia Jax
Nia Jax defeated Bayley at Bad Blood to retain the WWE Women's Championship. She will wrestle Women's World Champion Liv Morgan for the Crown Jewel Title in Saudi Arabia next month.
But before that, Nick Aldis may find a new opponent for The Irresistible Force. He could announce a tournament, or a multi-woman match on SmackDown tonight to determine a new number-one contender for the WWE Women's Championship.
#1. Nick Aldis could suspend Kevin Owens
After Bad Blood went off the air, Kevin Owens reached his breaking point and assaulted Cody Rhodes outside the arena. He was not happy with The American Nightmare's alliance with Roman Reigns and finally lost control after an argument with his former friend.
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H took note of the incident and announced on his X account that the matter would be dealt with internally.
There is a possibility that The Game orders Nick Aldis to suspend KO for his actions last Saturday. If it is a thirty-day suspension, it would allow Cody Rhodes to focus on his feud with Gunther till Crown Jewel.
KO could then challenge Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Survivor Series: WarGames after returning next month.