Backstage Update on Nick Aldis & Brock Lesnar’s In-Ring Wrestling Careers Future

This past Saturday’s WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night 1 event in Minneapolis, Minnesota featured Nick Aldis competing in his first match in his WWE career in a singles loss to Gunther. Following the show, Aldis was reinstated as the General Manager of SmackDown meaning he would not be wrestling again unless he relinquished his role again due to WWE’s current rules for GMs.

This past Saturday’s event was also notable for Oba Femi defeating Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell match and Lesnar giving a post-match speech proclaiming himself as the “past” and Femi as the future of WWE. Following the show, Lesnar announced this past Tuesday that he has officially retired from his wrestling career.

In regards to Aldis, WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the current belief is that Aldis will wrestle again in WWE. One source spoken to reportedly stated that they believe Aldis might have to wait until at least 2027 to wrestle again in the company.

In regards to Lesnar, WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported in a separate report that their sources stated that the current belief within WWE from high level officials is that Lesnar will be involved in next year’s WrestleMania 43 event in some capacity. One source spoken to reportedly stated that if Lesnar does not have another match, he could be in the running to headline the 2027 WWE Hall Of Fame class.