Massive Brawl Kicks Off WWE SmackDown As SummerSlam Rivalry Heats Up
WWE SummerSlam is just over a week away, and the build to the show heated up with tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.
The Biggest Party of the Summer will mark the in-ring WWE debut of SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, as he takes on the Ring General, Gunther.
Things have escalated between them ever since Gunther lost the Undisputed WWE Championship match at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
SmackDown tonight kicked off with the contract signing for their SummerSlam match. Adam Pearce told Aldis that signing the contract means he’ll step down as SmackDown General Manager.
WWE SmackDown General Manager Knocked Out
Nick Aldis agreed before giving the contract to Gunther to sign. He claimed that Aldis has been jealous of him all this time and he’ll end his career even before it properly begins in WWE.
As he walked away, Aldis called him back and stated that he has nothing to lose in their match as he hasn’t wrestled for three years, but Gunther does.
He told him that when he beats him at SummerSlam, he’ll only be remembered as the guy who “got made a b*tch by his boss”. This kick-started a brawl between the two.
Not waiting for SummerSlam…@Gunther_AUT has put @RealNickAldis through a table!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/UyHLHK7Gav
— WWE (@WWE) July 25, 2026
Aldis hit the Ring General with a strong right hand and gained the upper hand on the former World Champion. Pearce tried to break the brawl, but this gave Gunther an opportunity.
He shoved Nick into Pearce and then kicked him between the legs. He then picked up Aldis and powerbombed him through the table before walking off.
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