WWE boss Triple H has unveiled British wrestling legend Nick Aldis at the new General Manager of SmackDown.
The company’s chief content officer made a rare appearance for Friday night’s ‘season premiere’ of the blue brand and shook things up by introducing a brand new authority figure.
It’s been a long time since either Raw or SmackDown had an on-screen GM in place, with backstage producer Adam Pearce ruling over both shows in recent years as a ‘WWE official’.
That’s all changed now though with the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion making his long awaited debut with the sports entertainment giants, while Pearce is the new GM of Monday Night Raw.
Following the big announcement, he tweeted: ‘The opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you @TripleH @WWE Onwards and upwards for the blue brand! #SmackDown’
Known as the National Treasure in the National Wrestling Alliance and beyond, fans will be hoping this marks the beginning of Aldis working towards an in-ring role for the company.
Earlier this year, he reached an agreement to work as a backstage producer, which involves helping wrestlers put together their matches to make sure they fit with the plan.
Now, he’s appeared as an on-screen character for the first time and looks set to make an impact in a totally new environment.
His fellow countryman and current Raw commentator Wade Barrett previously admitted he would love to see Aldis in WWE, and he had high hopes for this career once he arrived.
He exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘He’s a fantastic talker, he’s got a great look, he’s a really good representative for this industry in general, and I love his classic throwback in-ring style.
‘It reminds me a bit of Harley Race, kind of the pompous Englishman element adds to it as well. I’d love to see Nick involved.’
WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.
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