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WWE Missed A Trick Ahead Of Nick Aldis’ In-Ring Debut At SummerSlam

By Gaurav Singh • Published Jul 27, 2026 07:26 EDT
nick aldis wwe
Nick Aldis - Source: WWE.com

A former WWE Champion reflected on what the Stamford-based promotion missed out on ahead of Nick Aldis’ debut match at SummerSlam. The star in question is Jinder Mahal (aka Raj Dhesi).

Nick Aldis joined the WWE in 2023 as a General Manager of SmackDown. Before that, Aldis had a veteran wrestling career with his runs on TNA, NWA, and the indies. Many fans were hopeful that he would return to in-ring competition in the Stamford-based promotion.

At SummerSlam 2026, Nick Aldis is slated for his WWE in-ring debut with a match against Gunther. The two have been in a heated feud for the past several weeks, and it will culminate this weekend.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, the former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal (aka Raj Dhesi) stated that he is happy to see Nick Aldis wrestling in the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut, while also going through his wrestling career:

On a personal note I am very happy for Nick getting that moment to wrestle in WWE. It’s very very long overdue.”

Me and Nick are roughly the same age, we started at the same age. He had a tremendous trajectory up front, really touted as the future of professional wrestling. I remember watching TNA and being blown away that this guy is this young and this good and is in this type of shape. He was years beyond where he should have been, years beyond where I was at that time.”

Ex-Champion on how WWE missed a trick ahead of Nick Aldis’ debut

In the same interview, Jinder Mahal (aka Raj Dhesi) admitted that WWE should’ve made a highlight package for Nick Aldis to introduce his wrestling abilities to the fans before his debut at SummerSlam:

One thing that I feel that WWE could have done is made a highlight package, highlighting his career, some of his moments, some of his in-ring action, delivering some cool moves or getting a feel of what his moves are, his signature moves are, his finisher is etc.”

Raj Dhesi further stated that he hopes WWE realizes Nick Aldis’ value as a pro wrestler after his match at SummerSlam:

I also believe there’s a chance that Nick has such a good showing that WWE realizes ‘Hey, maybe he has more value as a professional wrestler’ and that would make me very very happy if that happens.”

The erstwhile Jinder Mahal concluded that Aldis is doing a great job as GM and he could wrestle more often:

If it doesn’t happen he’s doing a tremendous job as the GM and I’m glad that it’s just a temporary resignation and he will resume his duties as GM, because I was a little confused at first.”

When he resigned I was like, ok he’s gonna be a wrestler now? Where is this headed? But yes, the plan is for him to become GM after SummerSlam, but I really think there is a chance that we see Nick Aldis wrestle more often.”

It remains to be seen what transpires in Nick Aldis’ WWE debut match against Gunther.