Retired WWE star reveals why Nick Aldis needed SummerSlam match

A retired WWE star commented on Nick Aldis’ return to the ring and why it was important to him. Aldis returned to action at SummerSlam 2026 for the first time since 2023.

Speaking on The AJ Styles Show, the legend discussed Nick Aldis’ return to the ring at SummerSlam. Aldis lost to Gunther at the PLE but got a standing ovation from the WWE Universe after the match. AJ Styles noted that the bout was important for Aldis so that he could prove to himself that he could still compete in the ring.

“I knew what he was capable of. I’ve been in the ring with him before, so I wasn’t surprised. “I think that he felt the weight of the world on himself, because I believed in him. I knew. But for him to believe in himself, he needed this match to know that he could do this. I didn’t expect anything less than his best effort as well. I see it from a different window of what he could do,” he said. (H/T: Wrestling News)

You can check out the video below:

Styles also complimented Aldis as SmackDown General Manager and noted that the former NWA Champion was doing a great job as an authority figure in the company. The Phenomenal One retired from in-ring competition following his loss to Gunther at Royal Rumble 2026.

Nick Aldis discusses his return match at WWE SummerSlam

Nick Aldis revealed that he was exhausted during his return to the ring at SummerSlam 2026.

Speaking with Sam Roberts on WWE Now, Aldis shared that he was tired during the match and admitted that no amount of training could have prepared him for the actual bout.

“God, I was so blown. Everyone talks about this and says there’s nothing that replicates working in the ring, and it really is true. I’ve been doing the most intense conditioning workouts for the last couple of weeks to get ready, and I’ve genuinely never trained that hard in my whole life. Still, just four minutes in, I was like, ‘Oh my God.’” [H/T ITR Wrestling]

Triple H reinstated Nick Aldis as SmackDown General Manager following his loss to Gunther at WWE SummerSlam.