It was late in the evening on Sunday, November 6 that Nick Aldis revealed he’d given his notice to the National Wrestling Alliance. Officially a free agent on January 1, ‘The National Treasure’ will be exiting a company that he has helped rebuild over the past five years, bringing with him two reigns as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion.
The move has been the talk of independent wrestling. It was previously unthinkable that Nick Aldis would depart the NWA as, although the once-legendary promotion is no longer classed as such, he’d proven such a crucial cog in the machine.
Nick Aldis’ NWA Status “Doesn’t Bother” Matt Cardona
Though he’d officially given his notice, comments made by Nick Aldis regarding the NWA product resulted in his immediate suspension and, therefore, removal from the third NWA Hard Times pay-per-view. However, the situation isn’t one that bothers fellow ex-Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Matt Cardona.
Speaking exclusively to Liam Alexander-Stewart of TJRWrestling, Cardona explained how although he initially wasn’t sure of the legitimacy of the incident, the situation ultimately doesn’t bother him in the slightest:
“I wasn’t sure if it was a work because of the last PPV right where there was the Billy [Corgan] vs. Nick [Aldis] thing, but apparently it’s legit.”
“I don’t know Nick, very well. We wrestled before and I felt we had great chemistry in the ring. I think he’s a total pro. I think he looks like a million bucks. He talks like a million bucks. He was the face of the NWA for a long, long time and he did a hell of a job and if he’s leaving, I mean, see you later.
You know, it doesn’t really bother me. I didn’t come to the NWA to steal anybody’s spot. I came to create my own spot. So, you know, Nick did a lot of work for NWA, a lot of great work for NWA. You know, it sucks that he’s leaving, but I know he will do great, whatever he does next, but it doesn’t really affect me personally or professionally.”
Because of his suspension, Nick Aldis will no longer collide with Odinson at NWA Hard Times 3. As for Matt Cardona, he’ll challenge Trevor Murdoch for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship at the event in a three-way, also including Tyrus.