WWE’s Uncertainty of Nick Aldis’ Fame Affected His Initial SmackDown Debut

Nick Aldis is well-known as the General Manager of WWE SmackDown today, but it all had to start somewhere. Although fans know him well at this point, it was a tricky decision to determine what the best way would be to debut the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Nick Aldis showed up as SmackDown General Manager in anticlimactic fashion during the October 13, 2023, WWE SmackDown, as he simply appeared in the ring as the brand’s new authority figure. That being said, there was already hype behind his debut, but WWE wasn’t totally convinced that he had the fans’ attention.

While speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Nick Aldis spoke about his initial on-screen debut for WWE. He explained why the company didn’t give him a grand entrance, because there was uncertainty that WWE fans would know who he was.

Nick Aldis said that he was chilling in the timekeeper’s area during the segment where Triple H introduced him. That being said, he had to shut out all the fans who knew who he was, as those who sit closest to the ring are typically the more die-hard fans of the product. When asked why he didn’t get a big entrance, Aldis admitted that WWE wasn’t 100% sold that he was a known name with the greater portion of the fan base.

“I think that they were unsure how many people would be familiar with me, and that’s fine. I think, again, that’s why I said I didn’t care whether I had music and entrance or however, it’s that I had that moment. In my mind, I looked back at the whole thing and said, ‘cool, I have that, that’s fine.’ That’s the part that’s gonna live forever — and it does. That’s the part that’s gonna go viral, you know what I mean. That’s the part that’s gonna be clipped and remembered.”

Nick Aldis’ wife, Mickie James, gave her full support of her husband getting that role in WWE. This came after James’ own WWE release in 2021, one that was followed by her receiving a trash bag care package where the company shipped her belongings back to her in an unflattering manner.

Mickie James knew that he would “kill it,” which he arguably has so far. Only time will tell if Mickie joins her husband in WWE, but he’s certainly making a name for himself in his current position.

No matter how Nick Aldis’ time on WWE SmackDown started, the important part is that he is still a huge part of the show to this day. We will have to see what is in his future, including seeing him lock up in the ring, but he seems very happy with his position today.

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