Why WWE's SummerSlam plans for GUNTHER just took a massive detour
The SummerSlam card is undergoing a massive rewrite behind the scenes. Plans for GUNTHER have officially shifted from a fresh matchup to a personal grudge. WWE is pivoting hard away from a projected showcase for a rising star to cash in on authority figure drama.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE originally had different, now-scrapped plans for GUNTHER to face Royce Keys at the premium live event. That would have represented a career-defining showcase for Keys, matching him against a veteran who has been meticulously protected. Instead, WWE is pulling the plug on that plan in favor of a match with former SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.
This sudden change of direction leaves Keys in creative limbo while elevating a retired executive back into the ring. The backstage rumor mill suggests that WWE brass felt Keys was not quite ready for the stadium spotlight. Scrapping the match entirely feels like a regression for a company that constantly preaches about building the future.
The build for GUNTHER versus Aldis accelerated rapidly following their physical altercation backstage at Night of Champions. GUNTHER was reportedly furious after Sami Zayn walked out of the event as the Undisputed World Champion. That frustration boiled over backstage, leading to a physical confrontation that left the SmackDown GM in the dust.
Sources confirm that WWE creative had been teasing this collision for weeks before finally pulling the trigger on television. The backstage brawl was not just a heat-of-the-moment script choice; it was the catalyst for a total executive shakeup. Fans refreshing social media for updates were not surprised when WWE made the administrative change official on Monday night.
Aldis Sent Home as Adam Pearce Takes Control
The fallout from that backstage blowup is already affecting WWE television. On the June 29 episode of Monday Night RAW, Nick Aldis was placed on administrative leave. WWE even replayed the footage of the physical encounter to remind fans exactly why Aldis is off TV.
With Aldis sent home, Adam Pearce has assumed control as General Manager of both RAW and SmackDown. This move conveniently strips Aldis of his authority role, clearing the path for him to step back inside the ring. Meltzer confirmed on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE expects GUNTHER and Aldis to settle their differences in the ring at SummerSlam.
While Meltzer noted that he prefers Aldis in the General Manager role, he acknowledged that a one-off match makes sense. Shifting the spotlight away from Royce Keys to a personal rivalry changes the entire complexion of GUNTHER's summer. It replaces an athletic exhibition with a high-stakes, management-versus-wrestler brawl.
For Aldis, this is a return to active competition after years of working behind a desk. Skeptics are already questioning whether the veteran can keep up with the physical toll of a modern WWE stadium match. The Ring General does not work a soft style, and Aldis will have to prove he is more than just a suit if he wants to survive.
"GUNTHER and Aldis are expected to face each other at SummerSlam."
Oba Femi's King of the Ring Coronation Interrupted by The Beast
GUNTHER is not the only heavyweight dealing with sudden plan changes. Oba Femi entered the RAW episode on June 29 in Atlantic City ready to claim his throne after winning the tournament in 2026. Instead, his celebration was cut short when Brock Lesnar confronted Oba Femi.
Femi had just finished boasting about demolishing Jey Uso at Night of Champions when Lesnar’s music hit. Accompanied by Paul Heyman, Lesnar entered the ring and offered a tense handshake to the new king. Lesnar noted that he won the King of the Ring tournament early in his career but admitted he does not watch the current show regularly.
The segment quickly turned violent when Lesnar revealed that Heyman had kept him informed of Femi's backstage trash talk. Lesnar claimed Femi had called him a coward and a bitch when the cameras were off. The Beast then delivered a swift kick to the groin followed by a thudding F5 to lay out the new king.
The Atlantic City crowd was left stunned by the sudden violence, which immediately shifted the focus of the red brand. Oba Femi has built his entire run on being an unstoppable force who dominates opponents with raw power. Seeing him laid out by a cheap shot from a veteran part-timer was a jar to his carefully protected aura.
A SummerSlam Hell in a Cell is Set
The assault did not keep Oba Femi down for long. As Lesnar walked up the ramp, Femi grabbed a microphone to issue a direct challenge for SummerSlam. Lesnar accepted the challenge on the spot, raising the stakes by demanding a Hell in a Cell match.
While the match will draw a massive gate, it leaves Femi without a championship opportunity. The King of the Ring winner traditionally uses the victory to launch a title run, much like GUNTHER did during his historic 666-day title reign. Locking Femi inside Hell in a Cell with Lesnar sidelines him from the main event picture for now.
This booking decision is a double-edged sword for the rising star. On one hand, a stadium match against Lesnar is the ultimate endorsement of Femi's potential. On the other hand, it halts his momentum toward the Undisputed World Championship just as he was peaking.
The decision to put these two inside the cell also raises concerns about match quality. Hell in a Cell matches require a level of pacing and storytelling that can easily expose a younger wrestler's limitations. If Femi cannot match Lesnar's intensity, the match could turn into a one-sided squash that does more harm than good.
"still a b*tch"
Femi's decision to call Lesnar out after taking an F5 shows the company is committed to keeping his monster aura intact. However, relying on a low blow to spark the feud feels like lazy booking for a star of Lesnar's stature. The Atlantic City crowd popped for the violence, but it exposed the creative team's reliance on shortcut booking to build a stadium show.
Critical Breakdown: WWE's Obsession with Star Power Over New Blood
Scratching Royce Keys from the SummerSlam card in favor of Nick Aldis reveals WWE's current booking philosophy. The creative team is opting for established names and nostalgia rather than elevating fresh talent on major stages. Keys loses a career-defining match, while Aldis gets a high-profile spot that he does not necessarily need.
This pattern is repeated with Oba Femi's detour into a feud with Lesnar. Femi has the momentum to challenge for the Undisputed World Title, but instead, he is locked into a spectacle match. While a Hell in a Cell match against Lesnar is a massive rub, it does not advance Femi's standing in the championship hierarchy.
If WWE wants to build new superstars, it has to trust them to carry major programs without veteran training wheels. Swapping out Keys for Aldis sends a message that NXT talent is still viewed as second-class citizens. Similarly, using the King of the Ring crown as a prop for a Lesnar feud devalues the tournament's history.
WWE is betting that the star power of Lesnar and the personal drama of Aldis will carry SummerSlam. It is a safe bet for short-term ticket sales, but it stalls the momentum of the next generation. Fans in Atlantic City saw a glimpse of the future, but WWE's booking remains firmly rooted in the past.
