Nick Aldis talks current role as SmackDown GM

[Chris]

Nick Aldis talks about FINALLY signing with WWE and wrestling again

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY ALEX MCCARTHY: The Brit joined the company last year, putting pen to paper on deal that saw him work as a backstage producer from August.

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The Brit joined the company last year, putting pen to paper on deal that saw him work as a backstage producer from August.

On October 13, Aldis adopted an on-screen role after being introduced as the general manager of Friday Night SmackDown, essentially replacing Adam Pearce, who took over on RAW.

His move to WWE had been a long time coming. After working with the likes of TNA and NWA, the 37-year-old achieved what was arguably his destiny in joining the WWE.

Speaking exclusively to Mail Sport's Alex McCarthy, Aldis detailed his mission to join the company, and how he feels he earned the move to the most popular promotion in the industry.

The SmackDown general manager admitted he was ready to work in 'the big leagues' after leaving NWA

'I've been having a blast,' Aldis said. 'I've come in blessed with the gift of managed expectations. I had sort of made peace with the idea that maybe WWE was never going to be on the cards for me at all. So I certainly have come in with a with a level of gratitude that I perhaps wouldn't have had as a guy in his 20s.

'I came in on a on a day rate, try out as a producer behind the scenes, which I, again, had fully made peace with the idea of if that's going to be my job, then that's going to be my job, and I'll and I'll do that job to the best of my ability, because I decided that at this point in my life and my career, I wanted to contribute to the big leagues.

'That may be because I put in my 10,000 hours, I felt like I had done enough and had enough experience, enough expertise and my own unique sort of philosophy and my own track record of success in the wrestling business that I was ready to work at the top level. I felt one way or another that my skill set as a professional was best suited to be contributing to the number one company.

'I finished up with the NWA. And at that time, I decided that if there was any kind of opportunity whatsoever with WWE, that was where I wanted to be. I felt like I'd done everything I could do at a place with limited resources and just decided one way or another that I wanted a chance to contribute there.

It took just two months for Aldis to go from working purely as a producer to getting an on-screen role. It wasn't anything like what he'd done before - he'd been an in-ring performer - but it was something that intrigued him.

Since getting the news, he's been determined to make the role his own and play it the best he can.

'I had no no expectations really,' he said. 'I had no idea whether or not Hunter [Triple H], had any idea of who I was or what I had done, or what I was capable of doing, and why would he? He's got a lot going on.

'I think it was in Hershey, it was the night that Cena came back. We were in the production meeting, and Bruce Prichard pulled me out of the meeting and asked me how I was feeling physically because they had an idea for you, for a character. And that was that they didn't mention anything more about it for a few weeks.

'I suppose at that point, I started thinking logically about what it could be, so I started sort of preparing, and then a few weeks later, he called again and said the SmackDown General Manager, and I was like, "Yes, please, where do I sign?"

'It was a very, very, it was a very easy deal to get done. I love the the prospects, I remember getting off the phone and talking to Mickie [James, Aldis' wife] about it right away. And she was just like, "Oh my God, yes. You'll be great at that.

'I've been very blessed that they've given me some good opportunities to show what I can do. And I feel like I've delivered the character in a in a way that's sort of different. I do think it's there's been some really great authority figures over the years, but I think the ones who people remember are the ones who sort of did it in their own unique way. [Eric] Bischoff, Teddy [Long], Stephanie [McMahon]. I had a vision of what this character could be, and that's what you're starting to see now on TV.'

Though he's not signed as an in-ring wrestler, Aldis hasn't ruled out the possibility of it happening. He has has some heated confrontations with Roman Reigns and taken an RKO from Randy Orton, and that could lead to more down the line.

'Anything is possible in the WWE, Aldis said. 'I deeply appreciate all of the fans, who keep me alive in that regard, who want to see me in the ring with this person or that person. Since my interaction with Roman, that started a whole different conversation in that regard.

'I'm just grateful that there's an interest in it. At the same time, I'm fully committed to being the best general manager of all time, so I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.'

And where better to do it than in his come country? John Cena teased a furutre WrestleMania in London in the future at Money in the Bank, and it's something Aldis is backing.

'I watched Money in the Bank,' he added. 'I particularly remember John Cena coming out and saying that we needed a WrestleMania to take place in London. And I will say this, if that if that were to happen - which it will, I'm very confident of that. I don't have any intel on it, but you don't say something like that without there being intention.

'If that were to happen, I would certainly do everything I could to be a good fit for that show. It all comes down to timing and opportunity and what the what the fans want to see if and if the fans want to see it.

'The opportunity is there and it's good for business. Never say never.'

 

[Cwalker]

He’s been killing it.

I’d be shocked if he doesn’t end up in a match eventually

 

[Dale]

I honestly thought he might not do too well given a large bunch of the audience won't have a clue who he was, but dropping that zinger on Dom on his first night was a great move. Definitely been a great addition since.

 

[King Kota]

Feels very proper like he's better gm I seen since Regal.

 

[Y2Jayne]

He's been very good so far, I never doubted him.