Add as a preferred source on Google Gunther beat Nick Aldis on night one of SummerSlam Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The match was Aldis’ WWE in-ring debut and his first match anywhere in just over three years. The SmackDown General Manager was booked as the underdog against one of the company’s most dominant acts, but he was given plenty here and worked a competitive match.
Aldis got his offense in, hitting a superplex and locking in his Kingsclere Cloverleaf, and he had Gunther in a sleeper of his own at one point before The Ring General got to the ropes. The crowd was into it, with “you still got it” chants breaking out.
"The Career Killer" strikes AGAIN 🫢@Gunther_AUT has defeated Nick Aldis at #SummerSlam. pic.twitter.com/ZakxhlhWQZ
— WWE (@WWE) August 1, 2026
Gunther had trouble putting him away. Aldis kicked out of the powerbomb and kept firing back despite being worn down.
The finish came when Gunther locked in the sleeper. Aldis couldn’t break the hold and tapped, giving Gunther the win.