A couple of former world champions in The Miz and Damian Priest have been moved to the SmackDown brand as part of the transfer window.
Both these trades were confirmed during the January 24 episode of the Blue Branded show. The A-Lister was first informed of his move while meeting General Manager Nick Aldis in a backstage segment.
The Miz orchestrated to get the Wyatt Family moved to SmackDown before to try and get away from the group so he was not happy with this latest change.
The Miz tried to form an alliance with Greyson Waller and Austin Theory after this move to save himself from the Wyatts. Nick Aldis however, revealed another trade and informed the A Town Down Under that they were being moved to the Raw brand instead.
Apart from this, WWE also confirmed the return date for former Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair during the show. You can check out more about it here.
Nick Aldis has praised Chelsea Green for her recent performances in WWE.
Green who made her wrestling debut in 2014 had runs with companies such as Impact and Lucha Underground before signing with WWE in August 2018. She failed to make a positive impression on WWE top brass, however, and got released from the company during the 2021 budget cuts.
Despite the setback, Green took things positively and went right back to work on the indie circuit. Her hard work paid off and the Endeavour-owned promotion brought her back on board in January last year. Green has become one of the most entertaining stars on WWE TV since then, and her work is said to be one of the catalysts for WWE introducing a Women’s US title.
Aldis talked about working with Chelsea during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. He explained that the female star has a great creative mind and she always has many ideas on how to make their segments better:
“I mean, it’s a night off. It’s great. You don’t have to think very hard because she’s just going to give you endless material. What a great example of maximizing your minutes.”
Nick Aldis mentioned how he and Chelsea have had somewhat of a similar path. They’ve worked for the same promotions and the opportunity they finally got is not necessarily what they may have envisioned.
Despite the challenges, however, Green has done her best. Aldis pointed out how she has made the most of any opportunity given to her:
“I think for her, there was this thing of will I ever get the shot on the main show? Then it comes. And I’m sure that this probably isn’t what she first had in mind. I don’t want to speak for her, but I would venture to say that what she’s doing, it probably isn’t like what she envisioned a long time ago. But man, Has she taken this and run with it.”
Apart from this, Aldis also talked about his role as the SmackDown General Manager and reflected on his WWE TV debut. You can check out what he revealed about his debut segment with Dominik Mysterio here.
Nick Aldis has changed what it means to be a wrestling authority figure in many ways since his WWE debut in October last year. It all started with his very first segment with Dominik Mysterio, where Aldis mocked the young star with a simple line and established himself as a General Manager who will not be pushed around.
The former NWA champion reflected on the segment during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. He noted that he had already been working as a producer for the company for a couple of months at the time, so he had a bit more leeway to make improvements.
When his debut segment was presented to him, Aldis knew that the majority of the WWE audience would not be aware of his previous work. He had only one chance to make a strong impression. When he looked at the line with Dirty Dom, he knew that it was the one thing he needed to establish himself:
“I was like what if I put a pause in there, in my mind I was like that’s kind of my sense of humor. That’s my sort of sh*t-talker type of style. ‘I’m a big fan of your dad.’ I said it, and Hunter and whoever was around at the time, all sort of laughs.
Okay, so I went, ‘Okay, that might work.’ I knew that this segment isn’t necessarily about me. It’s I’m here to facilitate and that’s sort of what that character is a lot of the time. But at the same time, I’ve got 10 seconds here to f*cking smash something. I was like that’s it, that’s my bit.”
Nick Aldis also talked about Dominik Mysterio’s popularity and said that he is at the sweet spot for a heel character in the modern era. He explained that the young star is someone who you love to hate, and he has real heat which is very hard to get.
The SmackDown GM took the time to praise Dom’s partner in crime Liv Morgan as well. He mentioned how Morgan has been part of WWE for a long time so you can’t call her a break out star but for Aldis, she is definitely the MVP of 2024.
Mickie James is an undisputed legend of the ring, and the former Women’s Champion is ready for one more match in either WWE or TNA Wrestling. When a fan on X shared their hope to see James back in either promotion, the 45-year-old wrestler teased that this could happen down the line.
James has a successful history in both promotions with several championship reigns to her name. James’ most recent match for WWE was as part of the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match, though she entered as a representative for TNA (then Impact Wrestling.) James’ most recent match for TNA came at October 2023’s Bound for Glory event, where she challenged Knockouts Champion Trinity (now Naomi.)
As a legend of women’s wrestling, a return to either company would be huge for James and allow her to work with familiar opponents as well as talent she’s never stepped in the ring with. A return to WWE could also see James reunite with real-life husband Nick Aldis who joined WWE this year as SmackDown’s General Manager.
With WWE and TNA partnering in 2024, fans can’t count out James appearing in both promotions as part of this teased return to the ring. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Mickie James and the next steps in her pro-wrestling journey.
On WWE programming, Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis lay down the law as the General Managers of WWE Raw and SmackDown respectively. Before either man became an authority figure, they enjoyed successful careers in the ring, and could a match between the pair take place inside a WWE ring?
On Twitter, Pearce spoke about a possible match with Aldis, calling it “a question I always get.” After much build-up, Pearce was about to give the ‘short answer’ to the question about a match with Aldis, only for the video to end before he could give a yes or a no.
In response, Aldis gave a more definitive answer than his Monday night counterpart and spoke about their respective careers outside WWE. While the Brit didn’t confirm that a match with Pearce would happen, Aldis did give the always-ominous “time will tell.
After much deliberation I have decided to respond to this post by my Raw counterpart.
We both enjoyed a decorated tenure in our careers before WWE; there is no doubt you & I respect the legacy and tradition of our industry. So you're asking if I would step in the ring with… https://t.co/n0AOEehSB6pic.twitter.com/tq9t89059N
Should a match take place, between the two GMs, WWE would need an impartial body to officiate the contest. On Twitter, Chelsea Green, who has had issues with ‘Sir Nicholas the Nasty’ and ‘Peahead Pearce,’ put her name forward as a guest referee.
On Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast last month, Pearce said that he doubts either himself or Nick Aldis intends to take the spotlight from a full-time talent to have a match. This December will mark ten years since Pearce’s last professional match and the five-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion appears content with leaving his boots behind.
Aldis debuted in WWE in October 2023 and hasn’t wrestled for the promotion so far. Earlier this year, the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion who held the title for over 1,000 days said that “anything is possible” when it comes to a match in WWE. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the two GMs and a potential match down the line.
The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship belts have officially been retired, with the new WWE Tag Team Titles being introduced on the 4/19 WWE SmackDown.
The new championship designs are a throwback to the original WWE Tag Team Championship design that proved immensely popular with fans. No doubt this new championship design will only help solidify that this is a new era, one in which the fans feel they are being listened to.
While A-Town Down Under were pleased to receive the new gold, they pushed their luck with Triple H. The pair continued to taunt the Game which resulted in SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis stepping in and threatening to deal with the pair personally.
New Challengers
With new WWE Tag Team Championship titles, there was also a need for new challengers. Immediately after this presentation, a four-way tag-team match saw The Street Profits overcome New Catch Republic, Legado del Fantasma and The Authors of Pain to become the No. 1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles. The Profits are one of three teams to have held the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team titles are are now eager to add another pair of belts to their collection.
Over 70,000 fans filled Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field for WrestleMania 40: Saturday, it was confirmed during the broadcast.
Before the main event tag-team match between The Bloodline against Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins, WWE had a huge segment with Adam Pearce & Nick Aldis. The Raw and SmackDown General Managers thanked the fans for bringing the fire all night long and revealed that 72,543 had filled the stadium for WWE WrestleMania 40: Saturday.
This 72,543 attendance number is a huge win for WWE. This number is the highest attendance for a WrestleMania: Saturday event since the concept was introduced in 2020. This is the highest attendance of any WrestleMania event since WrestleMania 34 in 2018 which saw 78,133 fill the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans.
It’s worth mentioning that these numbers haven’t always been entirely honest in the past. WWE, among other promotions, have often inflated their figures. For example WWE WrestleMania 3, which for decades has been claimed brought in 93,173 fans, is believed to have actually had 78,000 fans inside the Pontiac Silverdome.
WWE has in the past stated that the attendance figures given during broadcasts are “for entertainment purposes” and may not entirely reflect the actual number. The most recent ticket number shared by WrestleTix before WrestleMania 40: Saturday stated that 68,412 tickets had been distributed for Night One of this year’s two-night mega-show.
WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is doing well following surgery after suffering a “freak accident” injury to his bicep.
It was reported in March 2024 that Aldis had suffered an injury and that it would require surgery. The British veteran later disclosed that he had ruptured a tendon in his bicep in what he described as a “freak accident.” Aldis added that he would continue to fulfill his obligations as general manager of the blue brand.
Nick Aldis Gives An Update
On a recent edition of the Gabby AF podcast, Aldis discussed his injury. The SmackDown GM explained how getting injured to the extent that he needs surgery is hardly a regular thing for him.
“Before this one, I’ve only had one major surgery my whole career and it was the other bicep, so it was just a freak thing.”
Aldis added that he is feeling much better now he’s gotten the surgery and hopes to be back in the swing of things in time for WrestleMania 40 next weekend.
“I feel great. I’m in a stupid splint cast thing for a little bit longer and then hopefully I’ll transition to a brace, kind of like the one that we’re seeing Punk wearing. I’ll be switching into one of those hopefully in time for WrestleMania.”
Nick Aldis
Aldis debuted in WWE in October 2023 on the very same night he was appointed SmackDown General Manger by Triple H. The Brit is perhaps best known for his NWA run which saw him reign as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion for over 1,000 days.
Aldis also enjoyed success in TNA Wrestling, though his initial gimmick ‘Brutus Magnus’ (a nod to his time on the athletic game show ‘Gladiators’) left a lot to be desired. Aldis is a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion and held the title for 128 days.
Nick Aldis has admitted that he felt a little bit betrayed after the All In 2018 event.
The independent PPV promoted by The Elite has proven to be one of the most important events in the history of wrestling. The show that started off as a challenge ended up being the catalyst of AEW’s formation and has changed the landscape of professional wrestling forever.
The SmackDown General Manager was an important part of this phenomenon. He defended his NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Cody Rhodes at the Sears Centre Arena. The bout is still remembered for the intricate storytelling leading up to it and the delivery of it.
While both the stars played their role in this feud perfectly, the results were not the same for them. The event propelled the American Nightmare into his current superstardom, but Aldis had to continue battling for relevance long after it. It was only after a bitter end to his relationship with NWA in 2022 that he managed to get an opportunity with WWE.
During a recent interview with Inside The Ropes, Nick Aldis was asked how he feels about the different paths their careers took after All In. He mentioned that playing the comparison can lead you to the rabbit hole of bitterness in wrestling but also admitted his disappointment at not being made aware of what was going on behind the scenes at the time:
“I think in this business if you start playing the comparison game, you can really go down a rabbit hole of bitterness and resentment very quickly. I felt a little bit betrayed when I found out that they were all familiar, they were all aware of Tony Khan, and they’d been sort of plotting this thing.
So then as we progressed a couple of months forward, it’s sort of like, ‘oh, that’s all already happening. That’s sort of a done deal.’ Sort of in that respect I guess I felt like I could have been informed of that sooner. But I just looked at it from the perspective of like, Well, that piece of business meaning Cody and I at All In, that did nothing but good things for everyone involved. It wasn’t like people looked at me and went ‘Oh he’s finished.’
We tore the house down and we had the match that everybody remembers. We had the real main event of that show. That built my credibility. Off the back of that, we were able to launch an entire show that at that time had a strong, sustainable audience. I landed a six-figure contract off the back of that also. Cody obviously, had a pipeline to a billionaire. It is a different, I only had a millionaire, he had a billionaire but, whatever. It’s all just part of the tapestry of your career.”
Nick Aldis made it clear later in the interview that he doesn’t resent Cody Rhodes in any way. According to the former NWA star, their match gave him an opportunity to show his talent and to prove that the big fight feel can be orchestrated outside of WWE too:
“I certainly didn’t resent Cody. If anything, I was grateful to Cody because the success of that show was certainly not [dependent on me]. They weren’t going to sell those…they sold those tickets, no matter what. I always say I didn’t draw the house but I felt like I made the show what it was.
I felt like if you take Cody and I’s match out of All In I think people remember it as a sort of really amazing achievement, as a sort of, almost like a giant crowdfunding exhibit like ‘Wow. I can’t believe that these guys got together and they managed to sell 11,000 seats to an arena. That’s really cool.’
But I felt like what Cody and I’s match did was kind of show that it can be done outside of WWE. Like a moment, storytelling, emotion. the big fight feel. The delivery of the big match and the fairytale ending can happen somewhere else with the right guys. Look, Cody was the right guy, but I was the right guy too. I felt like it underlined me as ‘this guy could do it too.'”
You can check out Nick Aldis’ full interview in the video below:
If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription
Nick Aldis has indeed sustained an injury and was playfully shocked as to how the “dirt sheets” picked it up.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider first reported that Aldis injured his arm and that he’s heard it’s something that could require surgery. Sure enough, Aldis confirmed that news and he actually just got off the cutting room table and his SmackDown duties won’t change despite the repair.
“Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless ’em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I’m on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations.”
Yes, I just got out of surgery for a ruptured bicep tendon, and yes, the sheets had it within minutes. God bless 'em. Must be a slow news day…anyway it was a freak accident, I'm on the mend, and I will continue to fulfill my obligations. #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/wawHrsW70H
Aldis made his WWE television debut the very same night he was appointed by SmackDown GM Triple H. Aldis got his start in that role back in October 2023, but people greatly know him as the star who put the NWA Worlds Title back on the map. Aldis re-established the NWA brand by defending the “Ten Pounds Of Gold” all over the globe. Arguably, his best rival during that time was this year’s WrestleMania main-eventer Cody Rhodes.
Aldis and Rhodes squared off at the original All In back in 2018 and Rhodes defeated Aldis for the championship, holding the same gold that his late father did. Aldis ended up regaining the championshi[p back at NWA 70. The two stars have yet to have a rubber match, but if Cody happens to finish his story and win the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship, there could very well be gold on the line once more between “The American Nightmare” & “The National Treasure.”
Nick Aldis has reportedly been injured and the WrestleMania status for WWE’s heralded SmackDown GM is currently unknown.
Aldis is expected to soon undergo surgery on his arm, according to PWInsider. The exact nature of the injury is unclear, but multiple sources have confirmed that surgery is imminent.
Hopefully this situation doesn’t keep him off WWE programming for too long. WrestleMania 40 would be Aldis’ first appearance on the “grandest stage of them all,” a moment that has been a long time coming for the former NWA Champion.
The Added Impact Of Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce As GMs
Aldis first showed up on WWE television back in October 2023 where Triple H revealed him as the new general manager of SmackDown. The tendency for most on-air authorities in the past would be to have them act as a corrupted heel, but both Aldis and WWE Raw GM Adam Pearce have brought legitimacy and reason back to the roles.
Before becoming an on-air persona once again, Aldis worked months as a WWE producer backstage and fans were understandably curious as to when Aldis could put the boots back on and grapple up. This thought was especially prevailent in his initial debut, considering he has a strong rivalry with Cody Rhodes. However, with this reported injury, the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion won’t be getting physical anytime soon.
We at SEScoops all wish Nick Aldis a speedy recovery.
Tony Khan’s outburst all began in response to a tweet from the USA Network that did not refer to Khan or AEW. The tweet in question was a response to Raj Giri, who brought up the fact that Mahal and Rollins faced off in 2012 over the NXT Championship. The USA Network asked about the Cagematch rating for the match which Khan took as a dig at him.
Now, the USA Network is back to getting involved with WWE’s storylines. This week, Zelina Vega tweeted about not getting opportunities on SmackDown, and told Nick Aldis that RAW General Manager Adam Pearce never had any trouble believing in her. This earned a response from Raw’s broadcast partners at the USA Network, who made it clear they’ve always been impressed by Vega’s work.
You’ve already proven it to us and the @WWE Universe. Should be the easiest decision SmackDown makes. You deserve this opportunity
Speaking to Sportskeeda in late 2022, the two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion addressed what it will be like to be a free agent.
“Truthfully, I want to explore free agency. I just want to be free of a contract and a certain brand commitment, a sort of branding of any kind for a minute and just see what comes next.”
Nick Aldis.
At the time, Aldis also spoke about wanting to focus on his Legacy Sports Nutrition brand.
Where Next?
As a free agent, Aldis is able to field offers from any promotions, and we expect he will be in high demand.
Aldis has never worked with WWE, but it has been reported that he and WWE director Bruce Prichard did not get along when they were working in Impact Wrestling.
With that said, it will be WWE’s Head of Talent Relations Triple H who decides on whether Aldis is given an opportunity, something many fans believe will happen.
A return to Impact is possible given that Aldis knows he can reach the top of the promotion, and resigning with them would allow him the chance to work with his wife.
WWE Hall of Famer Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat proved he’s still got ‘it’ with a win last weekend in his first match in 12 years.
In September, it was confirmed that Steamboat would be wrestling for the first time as part of the Big Time Wrestling promotion.
Prior to last weekend, Steamboat’s most recent bout had been at a June 18, 2010 event for WWE’s then-developmental territory: Florida Championship Wrestling.
One Last Match
Competing at the appropriately named Big Time Wrestling Return of the Dragon event, Steamboat teamed with FTR in a six-man tag.
It had been confirmed before the event that the trio would face Brock Anderson and Jay Lethal as well as a mystery partner.
That partner was revealed to be Nick Aldis, but the two-time NWA World Champion and his team came up short against Steamboat and FTR.
When Steamboat hit his signature arm drag, the crowd popped loudly and at one point, Steamboat ran wild with knife-edge chops.
The finish saw FTR and The Dragon lock in three Figure-Four Leg Locks to get the submission victory.
More Legends
The show was built around the return of Ricky Steamboat, but he was far from the only legend to compete.
On the pre-show, Scott Steiner won a battle royal which also included Tommy Dreamer and Shane Douglas.
Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart appeared on the show via video to praise Steamboat’s career, and Teddy Long acted as “special commissioner” for the Big Time Wrestling World Championship match between “Dreamcrusher” Danny Miles and “Neon Ninja” Facade.
When Mr. TA laid claim to inventing the Cobra Clutch, he was on the receiving end of the hold by Sgt. Slaughter, and the Rock ‘n Roll Express defeated the Briscoes.
Nick Aldis wasted some of the best years of his wrestling career with the NWA, Booker T has claimed.
Aldis joined the NWA following the promotion’s relaunch in 2017 and is a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Seen by many as the face of the company since its relaunch, Aldis recently publicly announced that he will be leaving when his contract expires.
Wasted
With Aldis departing the NWA, many have speculated on his next move, and whether he could be the face of another promotion.
Speaking on his weekly Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T doubts that the 36-year-old will be able to be a top star again.
“He’s past his prime… He really wasted a lot of time trying to make that thing work.”
Booker T on Nick Aldis.
Booker added that Aldis was one of the very few names with any “recognition” when the NWA was relaunched five years ago, but has doubts any star could have helped the NWA.
“I didn’t see one Nick Aldis match in the NWA. I’m gonna tell you that right now, so I’m not going to sit here and say I saw a whole lot or anything like. But to try to bring that brand back, it’s almost impossible. I mean, the NWA is a relic of what professional wrestling was back then.”
“To try to bring that brand back, it’s almost impossible.”
Booker T on the NWA.
Aldis has been openly critical of NWA President Billy Corgan since the announcement of his departure.
Audience
Booker evidently doesn’t think too highly on the NWA’s product, no matter who is the face of the company.
Speaking about underlying problems in the promotion, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer believes that fans have grown accustomed to a much different style of wrestling product.
“Nobody wants to watch wrestling like that anymore, in a little studio like that where [there’s] like no people, they’re doing the interviews after the matches like they did back in you know, Ole and Arn Anderson’s days in Minnesota. Don’t nobody want to see that.”
While Booker said he has nothing against the Andersons, he made it clear that the NWA needs to change in order to have a chance of surviving in today’s market.
World of Sport may soon be back on screens in the UK with some high-profile talent as part of the promotion.
The show first debuted on ITV in 1965, and covered many sports in the UK, including Soccer, Horse Racing and wrestling.
In 2018, over two decades after the final episode, World of Sport was brought back exclusively as a wrestling promotion.
The Revival
2018’s World of Sport Wrestling did not last long, as the show featured 10 episodes and was not renewed by ITV, making the September 29, episode the final broadcast.
When Inside the Ropes recently spoke to sources close to World of Sport, they were told that there are aspirations for the show to be revived for the second time in the UK.
Their report adds that there is a “number of different approaches” on the table, including a style similar to the NWA.
This would see World of Sport run low-cost, free-to-air television shows from a studio, alongside live events.
This style proved to be effective during the Covid-19 Pandemic due to the lower risk of infection compared to having arenas filled with fans.
Aldis and James
If World of Sport Wrestling is to relaunch, they’ll need a big name, and that could be Nick Aldis.
The two-time former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Aldis recently announced his intention to leave the NWA, and has been vocal about his issues with Billy Corgan.
Sources from World of Sport said that there has been communication between themselves and Aldis, and that the Brit’s wife Mickie James is also interested in getting involved.
James is currently enjoying her ‘Last Rodeo’ with IMPACT Wrestling, having announced back in September that she will retire after her next defeat.
Nick Aldis has given his take on Saturday’s NWA Hard Times 3 pay-per-view event.
Aldis had been the face of the company for years, but announced last week he is leaving the brand and will be a free agent in January 2023.
Following Hard Times, Aldis shared a message to his Instagram subscribers saying that he hopes people understand why it was important for him to announce why it was important for him to share that he was giving his notice prior to the Hard Times event.
He also added that he believes the National Wrestling Alliance is now the most toxic brand in all of wrestling. He wrote the following:
Nick Aldis’ Latest NWA Take
“I hope now you see why it was important to me to let you know that I had given my notice to the NWA BEFORE this ppv. What was once a promising endeavour that I turned down bigger opportunities to take the lead on, has become the most toxic brand in pro wrestling. Thank you all for the support.”
At Hard Times, the main event saw Tyrus become the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion by beating Trevor Murdoch and Matt Cardona.
The public feud between Nick Aldis and NWA owner Billy Corgan has become a trending topic of discussion very fast. It all started when the former NWA champion announced on social media earlier this week that he had given his notice to the company. In response to this, the promotion suspended the heavyweight star.
Aldis recently appeared on the Not Sam Wrestling podcast. He opened up about his issues with Billy Corgan and NWA in detail. When asked how he reacted to his suspension from the organization, Nick claimed that he didn’t even know about it, until someone reached out to him:
“‘Okay’ That’s pretty much what I said ‘Okay.’ One of the wrestling media guys [reached out]. Like, ‘Can you comment on being suspended?’ I went ‘Hein? Wait, I just gave my notice.’
It’s kind of like, to me I just likened it to be like when you’re in like high school or grade school. It’s like, ‘I broke up with him.’ ‘No, I broke up with him'”
– Nick Aldis
Apart from this, Nick also detailed the issues that led to him making the decision to leave NWA. According to him, he was wearing a lot of hats in the company without being compensated for it. The former TNA star claimed that Billy Corgan also put him in an uncomfortable position by asking to intervene when Corgan had a fallout with Thunder Rosa, which wasn’t his job.
Nick Aldis recently announced on a video meant for Instagram subscribers only that he will be exiting NWA in January.
In the deleted video, Aldis was critical of the product and owner Billy Corgan. Nick later posted a message on social media saying that he will provide more details once he learns how to post videos only for his subscribers.
I released that video earlier but it was supposed to be for subscribers only. Wtf… anyway as you may have seen I gave my notice to the NWA. I’ll be a free agent on January 1st. Once I figure out how to do videos for subscribers only I’ll be back with more insight on the decision, conversations with Mickie and my agent and more…
Love you all.
Quote via WrestleZone
The two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion has been with the company since Billy Corgan arrived in 2017. Following the announcement of his departure, NWA suspended Aldis. He was scheduled ti face Odison at NWA Hard Times 3 on the 12th.
NWA star Trevor Murdoch spoke with Sean Radican of PW Torch to promote NWA Hard Times 3. Murdoch said that his relationship with Aldis hasn’t fallen apart and he has all the respect in the world for him. The 42-year-old took issue with Nick dragging the company and the guys in it.
I have a ton of gratitude for Nick in that aspect. I think where the heat is with Billy with Nick, is the fact that Nick wasn’t happy with — I’m only repeating what he said. He wasn’t happy with the company. He wasn’t happy with the relationship between what was going on between him and Billy.
My only issue was, I didn’t agree with Nick dragging the company and dragging the guys in it. When you start making comments, like the show’s too embarrassing for me to be a part of. First off, I think that’s a little bullsh*t.
Trevor added that Powerrr has been all about Aldis since it started and there are many talented wrestlers that have made NWA successful.
Secondly, you’re disrespecting all the men and women that you know, Nick’s not the only part of the show.
And since we’ve started Powerrr, it hasn’t been Powerrr about Nick. It’s been NWA Powerrr. So there’s been a lot of talented wrestlers that have come through there that’s helped make NWA successful.
And I just don’t think bringing all those men and women into the middle of your argument or your public squabble. I just don’t think that was the right thing to do. If Nick and Billy want to air out personal grievances, I also think that both sides of the story need to be told.
Trevor noted that only half the story is being told at the moment and the easy thing to do is agree with the negative side because it is a lot more exciting. Murdoch complimented Corgan on not airing his grievances publicly.
It’s very easy for everybody to jump on the negative end and say that’s how it was because it’s a lot juicier. You know what I mean? It’s a lot more exciting.
But there’s only half stories being told on some of this. And I think, the NWA and Billy have taken a stand on being a little bit more professional, and not interested in airing those grievances publicly.
Murdoch agreed with Corgan taking Aldis off of Hard Times 3 because he publicly buried the company on his way out.
Why is Billy any different than WWE in this aspect of the business? And why is it any different than AEW?
If you have a talent that is on their way out and they know they’re leaving, and they decide to just publicly bury the company and the boss, would you be okay with having that guy on your next show and pretending as if none of that sh*t happened?
Not to mention Billy has not only focused on this [but] he has a whole locker room. What does that say to the locker room when that kind of stuff happens? It’s it’s no different than any other job. We’ve all had regular jobs.
If I go run my mouth, and my boss finds out that I’ve been publicly burying him in the company I worked for, I don’t intend to be employed much longer. I mean, where else in the f**king world does that sh*t work?”
In the last few days, there has been a lot of drama between NWA owner Billy Corgan and former World Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis, as Aldis announced on Sunday that he would be leaving NWA when his contract expires on January 1, 2023.
NWA suspended Aldis for his comments despite him being scheduled to wrestle Odinson at NWA Hard Times 3. Aldis has been part of the National Wrestling Alliance since 2017, when Corgan purchased the company and helped get the promotion to where it is today.
Billy Corgan Gives his Side
While appearing on Busted Open Radio, Corgan detailed his issues with Aldis.
“Nick Aldis and I entered into a business relationship five years ago where we bet on one another. That proved to be a good bet. He’s been the highest paid talent in the NWA the entire time, without question. He knows that. He’s had a lot of say, not only over the company but also with how he was booked. That’s transparent,” began Corgan. “Why is a man, who a week ago, emailed us to say, ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done, I’m going to kind of move on.’ ‘Cool.’ He gave his notice, privately, we didn’t do anything. Did we retaliate or leak some rumor? No, we didn’t say anything. We have shows booked, Nick is on the card. He’s doing interviews for the pay-per-view. Why is a guy, who is so disgruntled, doing interviews? We’re in business, right? A couple of days ago, he does a video where he says, ‘I’m opting out of my contract.’ He does it publicly. I wouldn’t do business that way, but it’s his choice. I didn’t like it, but okay, he’s leaving in 55 days. Do your business and go out the door. Hopefully, we’ll do business down the road. Then, he starts blasting the product. I want to remind everybody. Everything that he’s said, I’ve been hearing that stuff for years. It’s not like I heard it and got sensitive. Why in a pay-per-view week, with a talent who is leaving the company, does he decide to start blasting me and product, 55 days before he’s out and he can do whatever he wants to do? Why does he have to bury the locker room and the product? Again, I’ve heard all of this stuff privately for years. These are not new criticisms. He and I have battled about the product for years and he’s helped make the product better with those battles. This is not a sensitive reactionary thing. How do I, as the leader of this company, allow a key talent, the most highly visible talent in the company, up until he opens his mouth and tells people he’s leaving, blast the company? He’s still under contract and being paid. We don’t invite him. He’s still being paid, we didn’t take his money. I can’t have a guy like that show up because what message does that send to the locker room. There are a lot of people in the locker room not happy about this. They have to do their job. Why is the focus not on Matt Cardona, Tyrus, Trevor Murdoch, Kamille, KiLynn King, or Chelsea Green? The focus is on Nick Aldis, who is not on the show anymore. It’s not an animosity, it’s just, why are we doing this?”
Aldis apologized to fans after his suspension for not working the upcoming show and noted he intended to finish out his commitments ahead of his deal expiring.
Corgan talked about how he thought Aldis was attempting to create some publicity by saying he would be leaving when his contract expired.
When asked if there was tension before Aldis announced his departure, Corgan answered there wasn’t any, but he admitted that he wished he could have spoken to Nick beforehand.
How Things Have Changed
(NWA)
Corgan was certain that Aldis was using an angle throughout the entire interview. Tyrus took Aldis’ place in the NWA World Heavyweight Title match against Trevor Murdoch before moving it to NWA 74. The angle they were working on, according to Corgan, has changed to a shoot.
“He wasn’t happy with the way he was booked, he told me that, and we talked about that. He’s a top guy, he believes he’s a top guy, and he believes the company runs best when he’s in the top position. He was very clear about that. I told him, ‘I can’t build a company around one person.’ I have to get other people over to heat the company up. It can’t just be about you. If it’s just one guy, then it’s just the Nick Wrestling Alliance. He thinks guys in the locker room are hell of workers. He’s told me, ‘this guy is a great worker. This guy is great.’ Okay, so let me get these guys in position.”
Aldis said on social media that Corgan’s opinions about NWA EmPowerrr and the reasons he chose not to launch a second show were driven by his desire to depart the company. Corgan has commonly noted that he doesn’t think there is enough female talent to carry the show and raise it to the same level as the inaugural event.
When Corgan decided to make Aldis the center of the NWA in 2017, he was warned of his attitude, which Corgan then explained.
Corgan continued by saying, “None of this needed to be public. We could have all these intense feelings and still be thinking what we’re thinking, but why is this in public? That’s my argument. Nick picked this fight. Now we’re in wrestling-land. What are we talking about? A talent running a non-wrestling angle angle. He picked the fight. Now he’s in a fight. I’m not a weakling. I’ve been in the public forum for 34 years. Nick wants to fight, let’s fight. That’s not a challenge. Do you hear me blasting Nick or spilling family secrets? No. I’m talking strictly on a business level. This is a stupid play. He will regret this play later. I believe it hurts his stock in the public. If he were talking about running this angle on someone else, I would say, ‘Don’t do it.’ Nick had a reputation before coming to NWA as a bit of a headache and a locker room problem. He’s just reinforcing a stereotype that he spent five years erasing. Why? It’s bad for business. It’s bad for Nick Aldis business. I hope none of this rubs off on Mickie and hopefully I can resolve my issues with Mickie down the road. The issues with Mickie were business, nothing personal. If she felt disrespected, she felt disrespected on a wrestling business level. I would never disrespect Mickie as a woman or talent. She’s a Hall of Famer.”
Corgan concluded by stating that he was not working from an angle and that everything was a shoot.
Nick Aldis’ relationship with the NWA reportedly soured quickly after the ‘disrespect’ shown to his wife Mickie James by Billy Corgan.
Within the last week, Aldis has confirmed that he intends to leave the NWA when his contract expires in January 2023.
Aldis, a two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, has been a top star of the promotion since its revival in 2017.
He has since been suspended and pulled from the upcoming NWA Hard Times Pay-Per-View.
Disrespect
Aldis was once the prized star of the NWA, even taking a pay-cut during the Pandemic, but the relationship between the two sides has soured quickly.
According to a report from Fightful Select, this hostility is partly due to what Aldis perceived as disrespect at his wife shown by Corgan.
It’s reported that Corgan was disrespectful towards Mickie James in the lead-up and following NWA Empowerrr, the promotion’s first all-female event which James did a lot of work for.
Aldis and the NWA chose not to speak about the matter publicly due to the British wrestler’s spot as a top name in the NWA.
Other Complaints
Aldis feels that Corgan has been disrespectful to the women of the NWA, and he’s hardly alone.
Fightful’s report added that “several women who have regularly appeared in NWA” have felt disrespected.
Corgan, as well as reigning NWA World Champion Trevor Murdoch, have questioned whether the NWA’s women’s division has enough depth to warrant a second Empowerrr show.
Aldis is expected to make media appearances later this week to address the matter further.
A source who spoke to Fightful confirmed that this situation is not a work and “has been brewing for quite some time.”
Former NWA Champion Nick Aldis announced that he is leaving the National Wrestling Alliance.
Aldis made the announcement earlier in a video that was supposed to only be for his Instagram subscribers. He has since deleted the video but in it he revealed that he gave his notice and cited a breakdown in his relationship with Billy Corgan as the reason.
Nick Aldis reveals via Instagram that he has “gave his notice” to the NWA and will be departing the company.
He citied a breakdown in his relationship with Billy Corgan and went as far as calling NWA a “bad show”.
Nick Aldis recently followed up with a post and said that he will be a free agent on January 1st. Aldis added that he will provide more details on the decision once he figures out how to do videos only for his subscribers on Instagram.
I released that video earlier but it was supposed to be for subscribers only. Wtf… anyway as you may have seen I gave my notice to the NWA. I’ll be a free agent on January 1st. Once I figure out how to do videos for subscribers only I’ll be back with more insight on the decision, conversations with Mickie and my agent and more…
Nick Aldis is a two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion and has been with the company since Billy Corgan took over in 2017. Before NWA, Aldis wrestled on the independents and in TNA Wrestling. He is a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion and a two-time TNA tag team champion.
Aldis is currently scheduled to face Odinson at NWA Hard Times 3 in New Orleans on November 12th.
Triple H should be keeping his eye on Nick Aldis, according to WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page.
In July, the former WWE World Champion was appointed WWE’s Head of Talent Relations replacing John Laurinaitis.
Since his appointment, The Game has brought back several released Superstars, including Karrion Kross, Dexter Lumis, Hit Row, Johnny Gargano and others.
On the Radar
WWE is bringing back several names from their past, with Bray Wyatt also rumored to return, but Nick Aldis has never worked for the promotion before.
That should change according to DDP, who during the latest Snake Pit podcast, praised the former two-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion (via eWrestlingNews.)
“He’s got the friggin’ look, he’s got the work, he’s got the promo. I mean, all this time, he is a hidden, he is a hidden diamond. He isn’t a diamond in the rough, he’s a diamond. Like, he’s ready to go.”
When asked if WWE is aware of Aldis and are considering bringing him in, Page remained coy.
“I would think [so]. And if not right now, at some point later. He [Triple H] has got enough to do right now.”
Diamnd Dallas Page on whether Nick Aldis is on Triple H’s radar.
Nick Aldis
Beginning his wrestling career in 2003, Aldis rose to prominence in TNA/Impact Wrestling, working under the name Magnus.
A former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Aldis remained with the company 2015, and had a brief return in 2017.
That same year Aldis joined the National Wrestling Alliance, where he is a two-time World Champion.
Nick Aldis has said it was necessary for him to be pulled from the NWA Crockett Cup Tournament and put in the main event with Matt Cardona.
The fifth-annual NWA Crockett Cup event took place in March this year and the original plan was for Aldis to reunite with his British Invasion tag-team partner Doug Williams.
Instead, Williams teamed with Harry Smith while Aldis headlined the second night by challenging NWA World Heavyweight Champion Matt Cardona.
Speaking exclusively to SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay, Aldis explained the decision.
“There was no main event”
“The prevailing thought was that, while the British Invasion reunion had been well-received, the main event, in my opinion, is the most important thing on the show. There was no main event. There was no marquee match, there was no anchor to this event.
“A few weeks out, I got a phone call that said, ‘we need you back in the main event pictures.’ That’s wrestling, sometimes things have to change. I took a lot of pride in the fact that I was needed to kick that event into fifth gear. I’m glad that it worked. It’s hard to sell tickets to two shows back-to-back.”
The main event saw Cardona retain his title by disqualification, setting up a rematch between the two at NWA Alwayz Ready.
The Get to Know Series looks at The Jobber Tears Podcast. The podcast is having great success, with all three hosts making strides in the professional wrestling business. The group will also hold its second live wrestling event called JobberSlam this Summer.
A strong work ethic and consistency can be crucial to a successful content creator. The wrestling podcast business has grown in recent years, with independent content creators getting opportunities in the wrestling business. In the case of The Jobbers Tears Podcast, they’ve grown to be one of the most popular wrestling creators amongst wrestling fans and talent.
Their success didn’t happen overnight, as they had to work hard to produce content consistently. However, it has earned them the ability to commentate on wrestling and helped them gain opportunities in the wrestling industry.
I recently had the chance to speak with the group. Here’s the video of our discussion, followed by written highlights.
How Did The Jobber Podcast Begin?
The road to becoming a popular podcast didn’t start well for The Jobbers Tears Podcast. It began in 2017 with Wilkins “Sir Wilkins” Petit-Frere and Janelle “Janella From The HR” Garcia from HR as the wrestling debators, with another individual acting as a moderator. The original podcast called Yep, I Got a Podcast only lasted a few episodes before the moderator went on vacation, leaving Sir Wilkins and Janelle from HR to find another member. Sir Wilkins’s brother Yardley “Mr. Blacc” Petit-Frere replaced the moderator, and the group began to find their stride.
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Unfortunately, the moderator returned and had creative differences, which resulted in the individual erasing the first six episodes from streaming platforms.
“…In general, he deleted all the episodes, got rid of them, whatever. So I asked my brother, would you want to do a podcast with me. I still wanted to continue it because I knew it was something there, said Sir Wilkins. Along with their ex cameraman, the group got together at a bar to figure out the new name of the podcast. “…We literally sat there, and then we googled names. Ironically, all of them were taken. Anything that was like somewhat wrestling related it was taken,” said Sir Wikins. He continued, “So then we went with Jobber and then we have this friend named Larry, who we are cool with, who used to always troll on sports websites. I got a cup of tears of Giants fans or I got a cup of tears of like Knicks fans stuff like that. So then Janelle was maybe like tears and then we were like Jobber Tears!”
The Jobbers Tears Podcast officially started on Jan. 11, 2018.
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Spotlighting The Independent Wrestling Scene
Once the podcast officially started, the group began to think of ways to differentiate themselves from most wrestling content creators. Instead of focusing on popular wrestling companies like WWE, they also spotlighted the indie wrestling community. They networked with talent by interviewing independent wrestlers and going to events and rose in popularity.
“…We had these built with certain people because we met them through the independent scene or we spoke to them. One of my first interviews was Austin Theory,” said Sir Wilkins. He shared that signed talents like Theory and Carmelo Hayes know them because they networked with them before WWE. The podcasts have numerous high-profile interviews, including Shad Gaspard, Tasha Steelz, Nick Aldis, and Thunder Rosa.
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The group also became more involved in the professional wrestling business by getting into independent wrestling. They better understand the decision-making behind wrestling, which Janelle from HR believes sets them apart from other podcasts.
“…As we progressed with the podcast, we’ve also been understanding to the business side of wrestling, which I think a lot of podcasts and it’s not a shade or anything or a shot to anybody, but a lot of podcasts don’t do, because they are in that fan realm,” said Janelle from HR.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcmBTtQOx52/
What’s Next For The Jobber Tears Podcast?
Although the podcast has reached success, the group is getting more involved in professional wrestling both together and individually. Mr. Blacc is training to become a referee and is working on a lifestyle project with The Dirty Heelz Podcast called The Sped Ed Kids Podcast. Sir Wilkins is preparing to have his first wrestling match and is working for Complex alongside Church of Joshi’s Alex Lajas for Complex Unsanctioned on Spotify. Janelle from HR has become part owner of Battle Club Pro Wrestling, which has an upcoming event Welcome 2 War on Jun. 19.
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The group is preparing their second live wrestling event under Battle Club Pro Wrestling called Jobberslam for Aug. 20. The event is still in development, and shared that more information will be released later. The Jobber Tears Podcast is also planning their AEW Double or Nothing watch party for fans at Legends Bar in New York, NY, on May. 29.
The Jobber Tears Podcast hopes to have a legacy as great wrestling content creators who also have positively impacted the business. The achievements that they have earned are a reminder that a great work ethic, consistency, and ambition can lead to incredible opportunities.
