Add as a preferred source on Google The rivalry between Gunther and Nick Aldis is reportedly building toward a major match at WWE SummerSlam. According to TRNBCKL, the match is already lined up backstage, though it hasn’t been officially announced by the company.
The story took another turn on the July 10 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Gunther demanded a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship, but Aldis kept CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes intact for SummerSlam and instead paired the Austrian with Sami Zayn against both men at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 18.
Furious, the Ring General attacked Aldis and locked in several sleeper holds, even as security, referees, and officials tried to pull him off. Rhodes showed up after the broadcast had ended and stopped the attack from continuing.
The conflict between the two started in the Night of Champions post-show on June 27. After losing his WWE Championship match to Sami Zayn, Gunther called Aldis a failed wrestler and got physical with him. The general manager responded with a shove, forcing officials to step in and separate them.
As punishment within the storyline, both Gunther and Aldis were sent home, with the general manager placed on administrative leave. Aldis officially returned to the role this past Friday.
Dave Meltzer had already reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the match was part of the plans for the Biggest Event of the Summer. The match has already shown up in sportsbooks, with Gunther listed as the heavy favorite.
If confirmed, this would be Nick Aldis’s first match in WWE. The Englishman hasn’t wrestled since October 2023, shortly before taking over as General Manager of the blue brand.
SummerSlam will take place on August 1 and 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.