Nick Aldis is set for arguably the biggest match of his career on Sept. 1 at All In against Cody. The bout is one of the headlining attractions at the event and will be for the famed NWA title.
Prior to stepping in the ring with the son of former NWA champion Dusty Rhodes, Aldis joined Jim Ross on The Ross Report to discuss the bout.
"It's fitting to me that the NWA world championship is the headline at this All In event. In many ways, Cody and I, for different reasons, we're contrasting origins with similar character traits. It's one of the reasons why this rivalry is so compelling to people. In many ways we represent that throwback to what previous NWA champions were. They were their own men, they handled their business, they negotiated these things like a prize fight."
While Aldis would not commit as to whether or not the match will go on last, he does believe their rivalry helped get the event on pay-per-view and FITE.
"I do believe that the build to Cody and I has been very good business. I do believe that will be reflected in the pay-per-view buyrate. Our work and the anticipation between Cody and I is a strong part and one of the reasons why (All In) went to pay-per-view."
After falling into near purgatory following their split with TNA, Aldis helped bring the NWA back into the limelight with his title victory over Tim Storm in December. "We had no expectation at first," he said. "We had a good, strong core team at the heart of the new NWA and right from the beginning we realized that we all wanted the same thing: to present pro wrestling in way that could work in the modern era. But still stay true to the legacy of what the NWA represented versus the WWE. Not any knock on them or a shot across the bow, just the alternative that we felt was missing."
The Ten Pounds of Gold series and Billy Corgan's vision for the company helped catch the attention of Cody and The Young Bucks when All In started to come together.
"We were glad that we had done enough at that point to get their attention. It wasn't a case of us lobbying them to feature us. It was a very clear message: We got their attention. Cody said so right from the beginning."
Aldis is no stranger to being a champion in an underdog company. He captured the TNA world heavyweight title in 2013, just as they were experiencing a rather extreme makeover.
"This isn't the first time I've been in a high pressure situation. I was the world champion in TNA and one could argue that I got title in a strange time in that company. In a lot of ways it was a bit of an albatross. I got thrown in with the dirty bath water of AJ (Styles) leaving. So I've been there before. The difference is now, I'm a more mature guy."
He credited being a father and getting "humbled a little bit" as to why he's more ready to carry a company now as opposed to five years ago.
Check out the current card for All In and remember that Fightful will have complete coverage of the event on Sept. 1.
