Truth About Why Nick Aldis Turned Down AEW Revealed

Mickie James has revealed why Nick Aldis turned down AEW.

Although Aldis is now signed to WWE and set to become a regular on television, that almost wasn’t the case. While signed to the NWA, Aldis appeared at All In in 2018 in a losing effort against Cody Rhodes where the American Nightmare walked away with the NWA Worlds Championship.

The event, which was promoted by Rhodes and the Young Bucks served as the precursor to the launch of AEW a year later. So naturally, many fans assumed that Aldis would join the Tony Khan-led promotion.

However, he remained with NWA and later made a brief return to IMPACT Wrestling before signing with WWE.

Speaking in a new interview with TV Insider, Aldis’ wife Mickie James revealed the star did have a chance to join AEW, but turned them down.

“It’s really interesting when I was back at WWE there was an opportunity for Nick to go to AEW. He turned it down because it was too much on our family for him to be on the road full-time along with me.

Our son Donovan was three or four. I think about it now, and it has shifted. Nick has deserved this opportunity for a long time. A lot of people don’t realize he has been at this for almost 20 years I’d say …The way our careers have gone.

It’s weird not really being in the same place for long, but I think it’s by design. We have to do our best for our son first. That means someone has to have a lighter schedule.

Business picked up for the Aldis family. In the wrestling world, if people don’t know who Nick Aldis is, they will. He is an incredible talent.”

Nick Aldis To Continue Backstage Role

Although the British star will now seemingly be a regular presence on SmackDown, that won’t be where his responsibilities end. It’s been reported that Nick Aldis will also continue as a producer, although it’s unclear whether he’ll carry on taking independent bookings outside of WWE.