Nick Aldis makes unexpected comments about AEW after Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles reference the company on WWE SmackDown

A segment between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles shocked wrestling fans last Friday as The Phenomenal One referenced WWE's largest competitor, AEW. Despite mentioning other companies, however, Styles didn't invoke the Jacksonville-based promotion's name, and Nick Aldis has now addressed the matter.

AJ Styles had been gunning for Cody Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Championship ahead of Clash at the Castle: Scotland. In a promo segment last Friday on SmackDown, Styles ran down The American Nightmare's history, mentioning ROH, NJPW, and that "place he started."

Some fans found it humorous that AJ didn't mention AEW by name despite calling out Ring of Honor, which is also owned by Tony Khan. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was asked about the moment on the latest edition of The Gorilla Position podcast and pointed out All Elite Wrestling's hostility in the past:

"I don't know, and I'm certainly not involved in the conversations at that level. I don't think it's anything nefarious, I think it's more of a thing of, 'They made it clear they're coming at WWE.' I personally think the war thing is silly, it's silly on their part. If you sort of liken it to geopolitics. If someone has declared war on you, it's not like you're going to throw their name around. They've certainly been hostile at times, and from the company's point of view, 'We don't want to poke the bear' necessarily. We're not looking for that."

Aldis further commented on Cody Rhodes' history in AEW, acknowledging that The American Nightmare evolved into his current form in the young promotion:

"At the same time, it's interesting to be able to acknowledge that part of Cody's history. It's unavoidable with Cody because when he came back, he was the American Nightmare. He wasn't the same guy. To pretend he turned into this person in the middle of nowhere made no sense. In many ways, that's the greatest acknowledgement of AEW, is Cody being Cody. He crafted that persona and presentation. The fact that it was a major part of a major company being born and a place for people to go to work, it's a tremendous accomplishment and does no harm to WWE to acknowledge it," said Aldis. [H/T Fightful]

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AEW stars have recently taken shots at Cody Rhodes and WWE

Nick Aldis isn't exactly wrong about AEW's hostility, as the Jacksonville-based promotion has taken plenty of swipes at WWE in the past. The young company seemingly operates with a chip on its shoulder and has taken an ECW-like approach in embracing its underdog status.

This was on display at the post-show media scrum for AEW Dynasty on April 21 when Toni Storm addressed her successful defense of the Women's World Championship. Storm referenced Cody Rhodes' celebration after dethroning Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL when Triple H joined him in the ring:

"Antony, I promise you no matter how many matches I win, no matter how many stories I finish. [Sigh] I would never call you into the ring to celebrate with me," said Toni Storm.

WWE has taken its own shots at AEW in the past, although Cody Rhodes himself remains neutral, claiming that he can never root against the company he helped create. Only time will tell how the balance shifts between the two promotions in the future.