Nick Aldis reflects on his return to IMPACT Wrestling.
Aldis, a two-time NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, announced he would be leaving the company in November 2022. The company suspended him, and NWA President Billy Corgan publicly discussed his issues with Aldis, who then opened up about his experience working for him. The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion returned to IMPACT at the IMPACT Rebellion pay-per-view on April 16. He joined the commentary team ahead of the world title match, where Steve Maclin defeated KUSHIDA to win the vacant title. Aldis confronted Maclin after the bell, as the new champion attacked IMPACT President Scott D'Amore.
Speaking on PWMania's Legends, Let's Rethink This, Aldis shared his thoughts on his return to IMPACT, and he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
“We had been chatting back and forth for a little while now, IMPACT and I, and then the opportunity presented itself, and we were all very much on the same page, and we were all excited about it. So then we shook hands, and we made an agreement, and I was set to start at Rebellion. Obviously people know that Josh Alexander got hurt, and obviously Mickie [James] got hurt, so there was a lot of sort of speculation and extenuating circumstances anyway, but it sort of tied in quite well because it was agreed upon that I would come back and immediately state my intention to be in the mix for the world title. So it was a very fun way to get stuck in. I’m tremendously grateful to IMPACT for showing that sort of level of respect. So now the responsibility is mine to prove them right," Aldis said.
When a potential match with Maclin came up in the conversation, Aldis noted that the seed had been planted at IMPACT Rebellion. He described how he remembers what it's like to be in Maclin's position as someone who is getting the opportunity to prove himself at the main-event level.
“I think that seed has been planted, and I’m actually getting sort of my first in-person experience with Steve Maclin, so it’s very cool to sort of get to be there for his big opportunity, his level up moment because I was remember what it was like to get the shot, getting the world title. It’s a very key point in your career. It’s time to get serious and to realize that you’ve got an opportunity here to sort of establish yourself for a long time to come, but it’s on you now to deliver the goods at that main-event level," Aldis said.
Check out Maclin's comments about winning the IMPACT World Championship here.
Click here to check out Fightful's new interview wirh Deonna Purrazzo.
Lio Rush recently expressed his interest in returning to IMPACT. Check out his comments here.
Check out the card for the April 20 episode of IMPACT Wrestling here. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs on Thursday.
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