It’s Official! Ex-WWE Authority Figure Will Take Up SmackDown GM Role After SummerSlam

WWE SmackDown is going through a temporary overhaul.

First, it was Rhea Ripley who suffered a legitimate injury a few weeks ago, rendering her incapable of defending her Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.

Instead of asking her to relinquish the title, the company decided to crown an interim champion, announcing that qualifying matches would take place over multiple weeks to determine 5 women as contenders.

The 5 qualifiers would compete in a ladder match at SummerSlam, with the winner being crowned the Interim WWE Women’s Champion. So far, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Chelsea Green, and Charlotte Flair have qualified.

Next week, a match between Lash Legend and Giulia will determine the final qualifier.

Elsewhere, the current SmackDown general manager, Nick Aldis, has been involved in a feud with Gunther, which led to Triple H setting up a singles match between them at the Biggest Party of the Summer.

On July 24, the show kicked off with a contract signing between Gunther and Aldis, with Raw general manager Adam Pearce overseeing the process.

Viewers were informed that if Aldis signs the contract, he must relinquish his duties as the GM, with Pearce taking over the responsibilities.

Aldis agreed.

While WWE might have expected the segment to be carried out seamlessly, it led to a brawl, which ended with Gunther putting Aldis through a table.

Nick Aldis Will Return As WWE SmackDown GM After SummerSlam

Nick Aldis signed with WWE in 2023 after competing in other wrestling promotions since making his debut in 2004.

Aldis is especially known for his stints with Total Nonstop Action and National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a former world champion.

The 39-year-old has yet to compete in a match in World Wrestling Entertainment, as he was initially used as a backstage producer before being appointed the SmackDown GM, a role that he has held to this date.

As the Brit prepares to enter the squared circle with the Stamford promotion for the first time, his status in the company has been made clear.

While Adam Pearce clarified that he would take over Aldis’ responsiblities, he did not say what would happen after SummerSlam.

Later in the show, commentator Wade Barrett provided related information, revealing that Aldis had only temporarily vacated his position and that he would be back as the general manager after his match against Gunther at SummerSlam.

Nick Aldis temporarily relinquishing duties as GM until after SummerSlam.

In a backstage segment shortly afterward, Cathy Kelley tried to get an update on Aldis’ condition, only to be interrupted by Sami Zayn.