WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is a former TNA World Champion and a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion – his last reign with the title lasted almost three years between 2018 and 2021, and was one of the standout championship runs of the pandemic-era of pro-wrestling.
Since joining WWE in October 2023, however, Aldis has been in a non-wrestling role as an on-screen general manager.
His wife, Mickie James, noted in a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet that Aldis is “far from done.” indicating that he would like to get back in the ring.
If he does lace his boots back up and is given a shot in WWE, the question then becomes – who should be his first opponent? Here are six possibilities.
6. Logan Paul
As WWE SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis has had several run-ins with Logan Paul over the past year.
Aldis has frequently proven to be a thorn in Paul’s side, refusing to concede to his continuous demands on the show.
Given the consistent friction between the two, we could easily see this escalate – perhaps with Paul attacking Aldis after once again being denied something he wants.
This could build to a big-time bout between the pair, with Paul’s precocious in-ring skill ensuring Aldis looks great in his first match in two years.
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5. Solo Sikoa
Another possible opponent from WWE SmackDown is Solo Sikoa.
Like Logan Paul, Sikoa and his MFT faction have proven to be a bane for Aldis – their paths most recently crossed when Aldis brought back Sami Zayn as a surprise challenger, costing Sikoa the US Championship in August.
With Sikoa and his faction seemingly getting a renewed push on SmackDown, it’s easy to imagine the group attacking and taking out Aldis.
This could set up a short hiatus for the 40-year-old Brit before he returns to television to face Sikoa one-on-one.
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4. Ilja Dragunov
On the October 17 edition of SmackDown, Ilja Dragunov returned, answering Sami Zayn’s open challenge for the US Title and defeating him in arguably one of WWE’s best matches of the year.
Dragunov has since continued Zayn’s open challenge tradition, facing Aleister Black on the October 24 edition of SmackDown in another standout bout.
Who could be his next opponent?
A big surprise would be Nick Aldis answering the call – putting himself in line to challenge for the US Title in what would be a first-time clash between the two European grapplers.
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3. Cody Rhodes
Nick Aldis and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes share significant history.
In 2018, the pair traded the NWA World Heavyweight Championship – their first bout taking place at All In, the now-legendary event that ultimately led to the creation of AEW.
Their rematch, a two-out-of-three falls match at NWA 70th Anniversary, saw Aldis defeat Rhodes in an outstanding near 40-minute encounter.
Given their shared history, we could easily see this brought into WWE storyline – perhaps with Aldis turning heel and using his power to demand a shot at Rhodes’ Undisputed Title.
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2. Drew McIntyre
Another potential opponent for Nick Aldis’ return is fellow Brit, Drew McIntyre.
The pair were in TNA during the same period in the mid-2010s but have never actually met in a singles contest.
They did, however, share the ring in a TNA Battle Royal in 2015 – one that saw McIntyre emerge victorious – as well as a four-way match in Northern Ireland for independent promotion Wrestling.IE in 2014.
Could we see WWE SmackDown’s top heel, McIntyre, attack General Manager Aldis to set up a first-time clash between the two British stars?
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1. Randy Orton
At WWE WrestleMania 41, Randy Orton was set to face Kevin Owens – however, the match was scrapped after Owens required neck surgery, leaving Orton without an opponent.
After Orton laid out SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis with an RKO, speculation mounted that Aldis could be revealed as Orton’s new opponent for the big show.
This, of course, didn’t end up happening, with another Brit – Joe Hendry – stepping into the spot instead.
Just because it didn’t occur at WrestleMania doesn’t mean it’s completely off the table: with an Orton heel turn seemingly on the horizon, we could once again see him take out Aldis to set up a one-on-one clash between the pair.
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