Speculation that WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis might have been considered for a match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41 has officially been debunked.
On a recent episode of WrestleVotes Radio, it was reported that WWE had “no real consideration” of booking Aldis in a match with Orton for the event. While the two were involved in a physical segment on SmackDown earlier this year, sources confirmed the moment was simply designed to serve short-term storytelling purposes.
“For those that are into this type of stuff, we are told. WWE had no real consideration to have Nick Aldis as Randy Orton’s WrestleMania opponent,” WrestleVotes stated.
“The segment that was done where Aldis took an RKO was done, quote, ‘To kill a week of TV’ with Joe Hendry already locked down at that point.”
That segment aired just weeks before TNA World Champion Joe Hendry made his shocking WWE debut to confront Orton, setting up their eventual cross-promotional showdown at WrestleMania 41. According to the report, Hendry had already been secured for the spot when the Aldis segment aired.
Despite the lack of plans at the time, WrestleVotes also noted that Aldis is not entirely opposed to returning to the ring under the right conditions.
“We are told, however, Nick Aldis is open to competing down the road, if the story is right and appropriate for him to come back and compete.”
Aldis has not competed in a WWE ring since being appointed SmackDown GM in October 2023. The former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and IMPACT Wrestling star remains a respected figure in the industry, with in-ring credentials that could still be utilized if the creative aligns.
Stay with PWMania.com for more behind-the-scenes updates as the fallout from WrestleMania 41 continues to unfold.
