Here's Why Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis Have Redefined WWE's GM Role
The role of authority figure in WWE is one that dates back nearly four decades and has been filled by some of the biggest, most noteworthy names in professional wrestling. It is also one that became stale a long time ago, leaned on like a creative crutch following the success of the evil Vince McMahon character that dominated the Attitude Era.
Thanks to Raw and SmackDown general managers Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, though, the role has received a much-needed shot of adrenaline.
Let's take a look.
What Makes Them Great?
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The authority figure role in WWE dates back to President Jack Tunney in the 1980s and has been a staple of the company's product ever since. Some were hands-off, others had no problem physically interjecting themselves into the show, but for the most part, there was a tinge of favoritism in their acts.
That has not been the case for Pearce and Aldis to this point in their runs.
Both have, for the most part, been fair. The nature of the beast is to admonish, correct, and even book heels in matches as comeuppance for their actions so that element of the role is always going to be there.
What separates them from their predecessors is how they handle the babyfaces on the show. Both Pearce and Aldis have been tough and not hesitated to lay down the law to fan favorites, sometimes incurring the wrath of the WWE Universe when that time comes.
We have seen Pearce stomp out at the top of an episode of Raw to keep CM Punk from obliterating Seth Rollins. We have witnessed Aldis lay down the law to Cody Rhodes about his actions toward Drew McIntyre.
It is that impartiality that lends credibility to their roles.
Whereas former Raw GMs "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mick Foley typically sided with the heroes on any given week, and the evil Mr. McMahon and Eric Bischoff would make life a living hell for the good guys, Pearce and Aldis typically remain impartial in their roles, wielding their power when need be and against anyone that has earned it.
They speak with authority, are believable, and more importantly, do not look out of place standing next to even the biggest, most physically dominant Superstars on the roster. That leads us to how they are helping to reinvent the staple role of WWE programming.
Reinventing The Role
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Not only are Pearce and Aldis largely impartial as general managers, but they are former in-ring talent who have never officially retired and could, reasonably, step back in the ring to combat their biggest problem Superstars at any point.
Both men were well-traveled, former world champions in their previous stops. They were (and still are) respected in-ring workers who clearly stay ready to compete and could square off against any competitor who pushes them to the point of a physical altercation.
That sets them apart from others.
Yes, Foley and Austin got physical, but in short bursts following retirement due to numerous injuries. Yes, the evil Mr. McMahon fought his biggest adversaries, but no one would claim what he did was wrestling.
Because of their pasts, and their own insistence that they are not retired, there is always that chance that Aldis will grow tired of being talked down to by those under his rule and that the former TNA and NWA champion will show the world why he was a top-tier star not all that long ago.
Or that "Scrap Iron" Pearce will step back in the ring, stretch a fool, and remind them why he was one of the most celebrated technicians of his time.
That they both have clear cut personalities has helped reinvent a role that had become stale long before them.
Pearce is the exhausted, flummoxed, frustrated, perturbed, irritated middle manager who is constantly in search of that drink after a long night of dealing with WWE Superstars.
Aldis is cool, calm, and collected, but will not hesitate to lose his cool when pushed to his limit by Rhodes, McIntyre, Randy Orton, or any other marquee star that dares test his authority.
Distinct personalities with the added element of "will he or won't he get back in the ring," they have taken a role that had become a caricature of itself and breathed new life into it, becoming reliable characters, even when the same cannot always be said about the Superstars around them.
How to Keep Them Fresh
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One of the most underrated elements of Pearce and Aldis' performances in their roles is that they rarely overshadow the talent they are on screen with. From McMahon to Foley, Bischoff to Austin, even the best authority figures have tended to jump off the screen, sometimes at the expense of the talent they are sharing it with.
Even Vickie Guerrero, with no television experience to her name before her rise to power as the SmackDown GM, quickly became a larger-than-life personality who became a star in her own right and dominated any segment or vignettes she appeared in.
Much like their predecessor (and underrated GM) Teddy Long, Pearce and Aldis carry themselves with the knowledge that the men and women that share the scene with them are the stars of the show and rarely, if ever, impede on that.
As long as WWE continues to present them in that manner, unless the time comes for one of them to step back into the ring, they will remain fresh and welcome characters.
Not allowing them to take up too much TV time by overexposing them in multiple in-arena or backstage appearances is also key.
Though they have great comedic timing and can stand up for themselves physically if and when need be, not leaning into that every week will also help keep fans from burning out on them.
At a time when there is something to say for overexposure of some WWE Superstars, both the creative team and the men in those roles themselves have managed to utilize Pearce and Aldis to near perfection, resulting in them becoming the best, most realistic and, arguably, respected authority figures in WWE history.
If and when they are ready to step inside the ring, allowing them to pay off long-running rivalries is key. Pearce was disrespected and berated by Bron Breakker. Standing up for himself, even if it means taking a loss, makes sense.
Aldis has history with Rhodes dating back to the historic All In event in 2018. He also has had tense confrontations with McIntyre. Either of those Superstars would make for logical opposition.
Considering some of the industry giants and Hall of Famers to hold those positions throughout the company's rich and expansive history, that is a testament to what the former in-ring competitors have been able to accomplish since assuming the roles.
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