SEScoops

Tag: Aleister Black

  • There’s A Reason Swerve Strickland Has A Lot To Say About Aleister Black’s Future

    There’s A Reason Swerve Strickland Has A Lot To Say About Aleister Black’s Future

    Swerve Strickland has weighed in on the future of Aleister Black and Zelina Vega following their WWE releases.

    Speaking on Bootleg Kev, Strickland stopped short of advocating for or against Black returning to AEW. He focused instead on hoping Black and Vega land somewhere that fulfills them.

    “I just hope that Aleister — I’ll speak to, I hope Tommy finds what he’s looking for in this industry, this part in his career. [Black and Vega are] both very talented, incredible people. Incredible talents in itself. I just hope they find something that gives them the type of — I don’t know what it is that he’s really [looking for], whatever it is, I hope they find some place that gives them that, you know what I mean?”

    Strickland credited Black with having a significant influence on his own career development.

    “Because he has so many great ideas. He’s one of the guys that got me into NXT. Like, him talking with Terry Taylor and he’s like, ‘This is the guy you gotta watch out for.’ I did tape studies with him in 2017. My last indie run, he was the guy I was going to. He really helped my mind a lot at that stage in my career. So I just hope, like, he finds the place that gives him whatever it is that can fulfill him in the industry again.”

    Black and Vega were both released by WWE in April 2026. AEW has denied being in negotiations with Black for a return. Black previously left AEW in 2025 for WWE, and there are unconfirmed reports he was reluctant to lose matches during his AEW run — claims Black has denied.

  • Aleister Black in Active AEW Negotiations, Despite Reports

    Aleister Black in Active AEW Negotiations, Despite Reports

    Recently released WWE Superstar Aleister Black, known outside the ring Tom Budgen, is in active negotiations with All Elite Wrestling, SEScoops has learned. The development directly contradicts a wave of reporting over the past two weeks that suggested AEW had no interest in welcoming the former House of Black leader back to the company.

    According to a source with direct knowledge of the discussions, those conversations are happening regardless of the public framing. Terms have not been finalized, and no agreement is in place.

    What Public Reporting Had Said

    Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that some inside AEW were unhappy with Black’s previous booking arrangement, pointing to his low loss column and the fact that his desire to leave for WWE had become obvious once Triple H assumed creative control. Meltzer added that AEW’s locker room morale is the strongest it has been in years, and that some talents are uneasy about welcoming back a star whose heart was clearly elsewhere.

    Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select softened that picture but stopped well short of confirming talks. Sapp told subscribers “the bridge is not considered burned there,” while AEW sources he spoke to did not expect a near-term return.

    AEW talent coordinator Shawn Dean publicly answered “No” on social media when a fan floated reuniting the House of Black with Zelina Vega added to the mix. Jim Ross, speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, did not say bridges were burned but cautioned that Black’s “chances are running out,” questioning his reliability outside the ring.

    From WWE to AEW, Then Back, Then Back Again

    Black was among roughly 25 talents released by WWE on April 24 in a sweeping post-WrestleMania 42 roster reduction. The cuts also took out his wife Zelina Vega, the entire Wyatt Sicks faction, Kairi Sane, the Motor City Machine Guns, and Apollo Crews.

    His exit followed speculation, reported by PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, that a power player inside TKO Group Holdings was uncomfortable with horror-inflected character work. That theory has been disputed by other reporting placing the April cuts at the feet of Triple H and Nick Khan for budget reasons.

    If a deal closes, it would mark Black’s third direct jump between WWE and AEW since 2021, putting him in rare company among talent who have moved between the two promotions multiple times. He left WWE for AEW in 2021, returned to WWE on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 41 in April 2025, and would now head back to AEW barely a year later.

    Black led the House of Black during his prior AEW run, holding the AEW World Trios Championship with Brody King and Buddy Matthews. Whether Tony Khan ultimately green-lights the reunion is another question. Resistance from within AEW remains real per the public reporting, and any agreement will require his sign-off. As of this writing, talks are active.

  • TKO Reportedly Behind WWE’s Purge of Dark Characters

    TKO Reportedly Behind WWE’s Purge of Dark Characters

    Spooky WWE

    A backstage rumor making the rounds among WWE talents points to a power player within TKO Group Holdings as the driving force behind the post-WrestleMania 42 releases of several dark-character acts, according to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson.

    “I don’t know if there’s a pattern but I can tell you there’s been a story bouncing around among talents that someone in the TKO realm isn’t a fan of the darker characters and that’s been the blame placed on why The Wyatts, Aleister Black, Zelina, etc. were all cut,” Johnson said on the latest PWInsider Q&A. “One person even suggested to me that Undertaker being The American Badass and not The Deadman in appearances is proof of that outlook.”

    Johnson stressed that PWInsider could not independently verify the claim, but noted the account had been relayed to him multiple times over the past week.

    Who Was Cut

    WWE released more than 20 talents on April 24 in a sweeping post-WrestleMania 42 roster reduction. The departures included every member of the Wyatt Sicks: Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy), Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross. Aleister Black and his wife Zelina Vega were also among those let go.

    Each of those acts shared a common thread: horror-inflected, darker character work. The Wyatt Sicks were built around the creative legacy of the late Bray Wyatt, with Bo Dallas leading the group as Uncle Howdy following his brother’s passing in August 2023. Black and Vega had aligned as a villainous couple with overt dark-arts presentation on SmackDown.

    Zelina Vega noted during a Twitch livestream that her release call came directly from TKO, not WWE’s internal talent relations team, a distinction she highlighted publicly.

    The Undertaker Detail

    The most provocative element of Johnson’s report involves The Undertaker. Per the sources relaying the rumor, TKO’s apparent resistance to supernatural characters is evidenced by the Hall of Famer’s recent appearances in his biker “American Badass” persona rather than the iconic Deadman character he retired in 2020.

    The Deadman gimmick is among the most decorated in WWE history, winning the Wrestling Observer’s Best Gimmick award five consecutive times. The American Badass version, which Undertaker originally adopted in 2000, strips away the supernatural elements in favor of a more grounded, human presentation.

    Context and Caveats

    It is worth noting that a separate report indicated TKO did not mandate the April 24 cuts, with Triple H and Nick Khan identified as the primary decision-makers. Per that account, the reductions were driven by budget considerations rather than a directive from TKO’s ownership level.

    Those two reports are not necessarily contradictory. A preference expressed at the TKO level could influence creative direction without constituting a formal mandate for specific releases. Johnson himself did not name the individual within TKO said to hold the anti-dark-character view.

    Aleister Black’s second WWE run had been building toward a program with Randy Orton before the releases were announced. The Wyatt Sicks, who debuted to significant fan enthusiasm in June 2024, had most recently been feuding with Solo Sikoa’s faction on SmackDown before their contracts were cut.

  • Aleister Black Reveals Real Reason He Missed Royal Rumble

    Aleister Black has revealed why he missed Royal Rumble.

    The former AEW star had travelled to Saudi Arabia with the rest of the WWE crew for the PPV event but ended up not appearing at the show. There were some speculations that his tattoos might have been the reason why the officials ultimately chose not to include him in the battle royal.

    The former NXT Champion was asked about this during his interview with The Stunner. Aleister Black confirmed that he was originally planned to be part of the 30-man match, but denied that his tattoos were the reason for his removal from the show:

    “No, that is not true. I was supposed to be in the Royal Rumble, but then they were going to start myself and Randy, and I felt like if we are going to do that story and start in the Royal Rumble, it is just going to get snowed under. We do not want it to just go to waste for them to just be two guys that are like being dumped out. Why do we not save it for the weeks to come?\”

    Aleister Black competed in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match with Randy Orton and Solo Sikoa on the SmackDown after Royal Rumble. While he lost the qualifying bout, Black went on to defeat The Viper in singles competition at the February 20 episode of the Friday Night show.

    The former champion confirmed that his tattoos had been a point of discussion years prior, when the company first started visiting the Middle Eastern country, but not anytime recently:

    \”The initial setup of Saudi Arabia, my tattoos did come into question. That is absolute fact. In the initial setting, it was definitely like, ‘Well, we do not know how they are going to respond.’ I am talking five years ago when it all first started. That was a conversation I had with Vince. But that is no longer the case.\”

    The wrestling veteran later mentioned how he has been part of the broadcast from Saudi Arabia before, where people could see his tattoos so the rumors don\’t make any sense.

  • Aleister Black Pins Randy Orton In SmackDown Main Event

    Aleister Black has pinned Randy Orton.

    The main event of this week\’s SmackDown saw the two wrestling veterans going head-to-head in a singles match with Zelina Vega on her husband\’s side. The Viper looked to be firmly in control of the match towards the ending, after he delivered his signature DDT to Black outside the ring using the announce desk.

    Drew McIntyre, however, made a surprise appearance despite having been escorted out of the building earlier in the night by orders of Nick Aldis. The WWE Champion took out Orton with a Claymore but the match continued as the referee was busy checking in on Black.

    Cody Rhodes showed up to chase McIntyre out of the arena again but the damage was done. The former NXT Champion did not miss this opportunity. As Randy Orton got back into the ring, Aleister delivered a Black Mass to pin the former World Champion.

    Randy is set to enter the Elimination Chamber alongside Cody Rhodes, Trick Williams, Je\’Von Evans, LA Knight and one other participant next Saturday on February 28. The winner of the bout will challenge Drew McIntyre for the WWE title at WrestleMania 42.

  • Returning WWE Star Pulled from the Royal Rumble

    Aleister Black traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but WWE has pulled him from today\’s Royal Rumble premium live event. According to PWInsider, WWE officials made the decision to delay his return to television and reintroduce him more strategically rather than have him get lost in the shuffle of a 30-man Rumble match.

    Black last competed on SmackDown on January 2, 2026, facing Damian Priest in an Ambulance Match where he suffered a minor broken tailbone. The injury wasn\’t expected to alter Black\’s planned hiatus from television.

    Black is currently feuding with Damian Priest, with Zelina Vega aiding her husband on-screen. Speaking on The Babyfaces Podcast earlier this month, Black discussed subtle character tweaks for himself and Vega, emphasizing keeping her core personality while adapting to their dark alliance dynamic.

    With WWE opting for a more strategic reintroduction, expect Black\’s return to carry greater storyline significance when he eventually resurfaces to continue his rivalry with Priest.

  • Aleister Black Suffers Broken Tailbone in Ambulance Match

    Aleister Black suffered a minor broken tailbone during his Ambulance Match against Damian Priest on the first WWE SmackDown of 2026. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, the injury won\’t alter Black\’s planned hiatus.

    Black is currently feuding with Damian Priest, with Zelina Vega aiding her husband on-screen. The tailbone injury happened during the Ambulance Match stipulation.

    Speaking on The Babyfaces Podcast, Black discussed subtle character tweaks for himself and Zelina Vega. \”I think a lot of times when you alter things slightly about your character… the narrative has to change as to how you speak in regards to the topics that you utilize as your character,\” he said. Black emphasized keeping Vega\’s core personality while adapting to their dark alliance dynamic.

    The minor injury likely extends Black\’s planned hiatus without major long-term impact. Black and Vega\’s character work continues to evolve, potentially setting up future rivalries with Priest upon his return. Expect storyline developments involving Priest\’s response during Black\’s absence.

  • WWE SmackDown Tonight (Dec 19, 2025): Priest Targeted, DIY Battle, Women\’s Tag Action

    Live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan

    WWE SmackDown heads to Grand Rapids for the final episode before the holidays, serving as the fallout show from Saturday Night\’s Main Event, where John Cena wrestled his final match ever. The show also addresses the fallout from Drew McIntyre\’s attack on Cody Rhodes during his match with NXT Champion Oba Femi. With multiple storylines heating up heading into the new year, tonight\’s episode promises significant developments across multiple feuds.

    Match Card

    • Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
    • Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
    • JC Mateo & Tonga Loa vs. The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) – No Contest Expected

    Damian Priest Under Siege

    Following the Terror Twins\’ victory over Aleister Black and Zelina Vega at last week\’s SmackDown, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley reunited to defeat the married couple in mixed tag team action. However, the feud appears far from over. Sources have identified that Black and Zelina will launch another assault on Priest during tonight\’s broadcast.

    The Archer of Infamy recently enlisted Ripley\’s help after months of dealing with Black\’s mind games and Zelina\’s interference. While the Terror Twins secured the win last week with their signature Razor\’s Edge combination and Ripley\’s Riptide, Black has shown no signs of backing down. With Ripley currently focused on her own rivalries on Raw, Priest may find himself outnumbered once again when Black and Zelina strike.

    This feud dates back several months, with Black defeating Priest in a Last Man Standing Match thanks to Zelina\’s involvement. Black then escalated matters by blasting Priest in the face with a fireball. Tonight\’s attack could set up a stipulation match or further enlarge this personal rivalry heading into the Royal Rumble season.

    Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY

    In an unlikely pairing, United States Champion Ilja Dragunov teams with Carmelo Hayes to battle the veteran duo of DIY. This match brings together four competitors with vastly different recent trajectories on SmackDown.

    Dragunov successfully retained his United States Championship against Tommaso Ciampa last week after weeks of Ciampa\’s psychological warfare. The Mad Dragon has made it clear he wants to carry the title with honor, refusing backup from Nathan Frazer and Axiom despite Ciampa\’s mind games. His partnership with Hayes tonight represents an intriguing dynamic, as both men possess intense, high-impact styles.

    Hayes, meanwhile, was part of John Cena\’s Last Time is Now Tournament last month, advancing past Bronson Reed before falling to Gunther in the quarterfinals. The former NXT Champion continues seeking his footing on the main roster, and a victory over the established DIY could provide significant momentum.

    Johnny Gargano and Ciampa reformed DIY earlier this year, and despite their recent setbacks, they remain one of the most accomplished tag teams in WWE history. Ciampa\’s frustration after failing to capture the United States Championship could make him especially dangerous tonight. The chemistry between Gargano and Ciampa contrasts sharply with the ad hoc pairing of Dragunov and Hayes, potentially giving DIY the advantage.

    Women\’s Tag Team Action

    Nia Jax and Lash Legend face The Kabuki Warriors in what promises to be a physical encounter. Jax and Legend have been aligned for several weeks, targeting former WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. The duo secured a victory last week, and tonight they look to continue building momentum.

    The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane, represent one of the most decorated teams in women\’s wrestling history. Their speed and technical prowess clash with the power-based offense of Jax and the athleticism of Legend. Following their match, expect Bliss and Flair to make an appearance, as their rivalry with Jax and Legend remains unresolved heading into the new year.

    The Wyatt Sicks Continue Their Chaos

    The mysterious Wyatt Sicks faction faces MFT members JC Mateo and Tonga Loa in what\’s expected to end in chaos rather than a clean finish. Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis have been wreaking havoc on SmackDown since their arrival, and their unpredictable nature makes any match involving them a potential spectacle.

    The MFTs, representing the Sol Ruca-aligned group, have struggled to contain the psychological warfare employed by The Wyatt Sicks. Tonight\’s no-contest will likely see the faction\’s full presence felt, potentially setting up a larger confrontation down the line.

    Segments to Watch

    Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre Fallout: After McIntyre\’s interference ruined Rhodes\’ match with Oba Femi at Saturday Night\’s Main Event, the Undisputed WWE Champion will likely address the ongoing harassment from The Scottish Psychopath. Rhodes earned a WWE Championship match against McIntyre on Raw after their recent brawl at Rhodes\’ home, and tonight could feature further developments in this intensely personal rivalry.

    Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Jacob Fatu Appearances: Multiple top stars are advertised for tonight\’s show, suggesting potential segment work or surprise confrontations that could set up future matches and storylines.

    Looking Ahead

    • SmackDown expands to three hours starting January 3, 2025, from Phoenix, Arizona
    • The Royal Rumble season approaches, with storylines beginning to take shape for the January 31 event
    • Cody Rhodes\’ next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship remains unclear beyond his upcoming match with Drew McIntyre
    • The United States Championship picture continues to develop with multiple contenders circling Ilja Dragunov
    • Women\’s division rivalries intensify heading into the new year with multiple unresolved feuds

    WWE SmackDown airs tonight at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT on the USA Network from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  • Aleister Black Reveals How Vince McMahon Viewed His Character

    Aleister Black says Vince McMahon saw his character very differently than he did.

    The wrestling veteran recently spoke to WrestleRant for a new interview. He discussed things such as his time in AEW, changes he\’s noticed in the creative process under Triple H since returning to the company, and more.

    During the interview, Black also discussed his first run on the WWE main roster. Specifically, he was asked about a creaking sound being added to his entrance when he rises up, something which wasn\’t a part of his NXT entrance.

    The former NXT star explained that it was a Vince McMahon decision because the former WWE Chairman viewed his character as a vampire:

    “That was definitely a Vince thing. I think Vince thought that the character was a vampire and felt like old school Nosferatu, you know, rising up. 1920s Count Orlok type.  So he felt that he heard a creak and that’s why he wanted to have the creak there.\”

    It Negated What I Thought: Aleister Black

    Aleister Black claimed that he didn\’t mind the change very much, but he believes that fans had trouble with the discontinuity between his NXT and main roster presentation. The former AEW star added that he understands why the fans were unhappy with this modification:

    \”I don’t personally think that it added a lot. It also kind of like negated what I thought of what the character was so, it’s a different translation but at the same time like I could translate it and it was fine. It didn’t make me a very different character just because it was a creek.\”

    Apart from this, Aleister Black also discussed his WWE return earlier this year and revealed that he was considered as Randy Orton\’s WrestleMania 41 opponent. You can check out his remarks on the matter here.

  • Aleister Black Explains Why He Wasn\’t Randy Orton\’s WrestleMania 41 Opponent

    Aleister Black has explained the thought process behind his WWE return.

    The former NXT Champion recently had an interview with WrestleRant. He talked about things such as how WWE creative process has changed under Triple H, being paired with his wife Zelina Vega on TV and more.

    During the talk, the host also discussed the difference between his AEW debut which was kept a complete secret, and his WWE return, which was promoted in advance with vignettes.

    Black was asked if there had been any discussion of keeping his return a secret, and the wrestling star noted that creative had toyed with many different ideas

    “They were toying with a bunch of ideas. I know at one point there was this conversation about, ‘Oh, maybe he\’s coming back to wrestle Randy Orton at Mania.’ That was an actual thing that was discussed.\”

    I’m Very Grateful For: Aleister Black

    Randy Orton was originally scheduled to face Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 41. After KO withdrew from the match due to his neck injury, then TNA Champion Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at the show to wrestle The Viper. Aleister Black on the other hand, made his return on the SmackDown after the Show of Shows.

    Explaining why the idea for him to face Orton was shot down, Black mentioned that the officials did not want him to lose in his return match:

    \”It was counter-argued quickly because they were like, ‘Well, we don\’t want him to lose coming back at WrestleMania. That doesn\’t make any sense.’ They felt that they wanted to give it the right attention, and they wanted it to be specifically about me, which I\’m very grateful for.”

    Aleister attacked The Miz in his WWE return and then defeated him in a match the next week. He has had matches with the likes of Damian Priest and Cody Rhodes since then.

  • Aleister Black Reveals Scrapped 2021 WWE Plans With Zelina Vega

    Aleister Black and Zelina Vega are finally an on-screen alliance in WWE, but this partnership almost happened four years ago. In a new interview with The Takedown on SI, Black revealed that WWE had plans for the real-life couple to unite on television just before his release in the summer of 2021.

    Black stated that the company was already preparing creative materials for the pairing. \”We started shooting little vignettes for it, and we started creating outfits for it,\” Black said. He also revealed a surprising origin for his early AEW aesthetic, noting it was repurposed from this scrapped WWE angle.

    \”That first mask that I ever wore when I worked with [AEW] was actually one of the masks that was utilized,\” Black said. \”If you remember the Dark Father character that was at the end of my initial run [with WWE], that would eventually see my wife joining me… that was one of the pitches\”.

    This was a significant change from Black\’s previous stance. He noted that years ago, during a radio interview with Cincinnati\’s ESPN1530, he was confident he and Vega would never be paired on WWE programming. However, the \”aesthetic of them together caught the eye of upper management\”.

    Those plans were ultimately dropped when Black departed the company in 2021. Upon his return this past spring, the conversation started again, though it took time to get approval. Now that the alliance is official, Black and Vega are feuding with Damian Priest, who returned last week on SmackDown to cost Black a United States Championship match.

  • Aleister Black Disputes Narrative of His Time In AEW

    Aleister Black has fired back at the narrative about his time in AEW.

    The former NXT champion was part of the AEW roster for 4 years before his contract expired in February this year, and he returned to WWE. Many fans found his run with the rival promotion to be underwhelming, and there have been many rumors as to why the company did not use him to his full potential.

    The 40-year-old addressed some of these speculations during his interview with The Ringer ahead of SummerSlam. He discussed how some have been pushing the narrative that he was only biding his time in AEW until he could return to WWE which is not true:

    “It becomes this thing where people want to desperately have a narrative. ‘He never wanted to be in AEW.’ That’s completely false. That’s absolutely not true.

    I had a great time in AEW. I had a lot of fun. Did I do everything that I wanted to do? No, but that’s okay. At the end of the day, that’s not my company and I don’t have any say.\”

    It Doesn\’t Make Sense: Aleister Black

    Despite making his name as a singles star prior, Aleister Black only had a limited number of singles matches in Tony Khan\’s promotion. In the last three years, the former champion had only wrestled 4 singles matches under the AEW banner, and some claimed that the refusal to put over other people was the reason behind this.

    The wrestling veteran, however, questioned this belief, saying that he would have been positioned higher on the card if he had that kind of pull with the management:

    \”It’s the same way, ‘He didn’t want to lay down for people.’ If you really think that I have so much pull in the company that I can say who I’m not going up against or lay down against, you think I’m not going to vouch for myself or put myself in the main events? You think I’m going to politic, ‘I’m not going to lay down for this person.’ It doesn’t make sense.”

    Aleister Black is currently not booked for the SummerSlam PPV and he is yet to be featured in a PLE match since his return to the company in April.

  • SmackDown Star In Line For Push (Report)

    A WWE star is expected to get a big push in the coming times.

    Damian Priest has solidified himself as a main eventer for the company in the last couple of years with his work with the Judgment Day as well as his world title reign.

    Now PWInsider has provided an update on another star who has been receiving praise in the creative circles within the promotion in recent times.

    According to them, the same source that reported on Priest\’s push a couple of years ago is now saying that the management has been discussing about raising the profile of Aleister Black the same way.

    The former NXT Champion returned to the company in April this year, after a four-year stint with AEW. He was leading the House of Black faction in Tony Khan\’s promotion but had very few singles matches.

    WWE has reestablished Black as a singles star since returning to the company. Per the report, the officials have been happy with both his work and merchandise sales. This is the reason he has been interacting with many personalities in recent times.

    Aleister Black most recently wrestled in a first-round King of The Ring fatal four-way, which was won by Randy Orton. We\’ll have to see what the company has in store for him next.

  • Aleister Black On \’Unfinished Business\’ With Cody Rhodes: \’So Much Left on the Table\’

    Aleister Black is back in WWE, and is ready to deal with \’unfinished business\’ between himself and Cody Rhodes. Speaking candidly on the Battleground Podcast, Black expressed his enthusiasm for rekindling the feud that captivated audiences during their previous encounters in AEW.

    \”I think having run my storylines with him has made me so much more hungry for more of it because I feel that there was a lot more that we could have tapped into.

    There was so much left in the table both verbally and stuff that was written down that we never got to that hopefully now we can kind of like pivot because the contrast between the two characters is so vast.\”

    Rhodes and Black are indee contrasting characters, as there\’s a clear difference between Rhodes\’ heroic American Dream narrative and Black\’s darker, more cerebral persona. It was this contrast that made their matches so compelling when they feuded shortly after Black\’s AEW debut.

    \”The fact that for those brief months that him and me have our history it immediately sparks up that conversation. The second the opportunity arises, people immediately go, \’Well hey, what about Aleister and Cody Rhodes?\’

    That says a lot and that makes me think that the work that we did previously was appreciated to the point where people would like to see more of it.\”

    Black is eager to feud with Rhodes, but believes he can be patient enough for when the time is right. When asked directly about a potential WrestleMania match between the two, Black didn\’t hesitate.

    \”I\’m game. If you guys are game, I\’ll do it. Either way, let\’s do it.\”

    Rhodes is currently occupied with John Cena, the man who took the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. But while Rhodes continues to close in on the \’Unseen Seventeen,\’ Aleister Black is waiting for the American Nightmare.

    The Rock Still Believes In A Cody Rhodes Heel Turn

  • Aleister Black On WWE Return: \”It Felt Like Coming Home, Everything Made Sense Again\”

    One month after his impactful return to WWE on the SmackDown following WrestleMania 41, Aleister Black has opened up about his experience rejoining the company. 

    Black, who departed WWE in 2021 and wrestled for All Elite Wrestling from 2021 to early 2025, shared his thoughts with The Atomic Drop newsletter while promoting WWE Clash in Paris.

    Black admitted to initial nerves but explained that he quickly felt at ease. Describing his first day backstage, he noted a “mixed feeling of nostalgia and familiarity whilst there is something unknown. “

    However, reconnecting with familiar faces soon dispelled his anxiety: “I remember being very nervous, but then realizing that everything felt the same in the most positive sense… all my anxiety just kind of dropped. And I\’m like, yeah, this time around, it\’s even better.”

    Black highlighted his positive relationships with Triple H and Nick Khan, and praised the “fantastic” WWE locker room. “It just really felt good, it felt like coming home… and I think that was the first time I could ever say it felt like coming home and everything made sense again,” Black shared. “Nothing is like WWE… it just felt like this is what it\’s supposed to be for me.”

    Aleister Black Reveals the Best Advice He Received from The Undertaker

  • Title Match & MITB Qualifiers Set for WWE SmackDown

    The road to Money in the Bank will continue on the May 23, episode of WWE SmackDown with two qualifying matches for the iconic ladder match. On the men\’s side of things, LA Knight will battle Shinsuke Nakamura as well Aleister Black.

    The winner will join Solo Sikoa, who qualified for the ladder match with a win over Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix. This will mark Sikoa\’s first time competing in the ladder match and his third time in action at the PLE.

    For the women\’s Money in the Bank ladder match, Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and SmackDown\’s newest signing Giulia will compete on the May 23, show. The winner will join Alexa Bliss, who defeated Chelsea Green and Michin on the May 16, SmackDown to earn her spot.

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    The May 23, SmackDown won\’t just be able qualifying matches. The show will also see Fraxiom challenge WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits. With the Profits back to 100% after their TLC match war, this won\’t be easy for the recent NXT call-ups.

  • Aleister Black Reveals the Best Advice He Received from The Undertaker

    WWE Superstar Aleister Black is one of wrestling\’s remaining characters that taps into dark, supernatural elements. It\’s not an easy feat to pull off in 2025, but Black has had career guidance from the greatest supernatural character of all time: The Undertaker.

    During a recent appearance on the Wrestling the Rap Game podcast, Black revealed:

    \”Taker\’s always been very cool. Gave me tons of advice. I think the biggest thing he always told me is force people to sell your character. You\’re not a regular character. You cannot have people do certain things to you… they have to react to you. They have to have a visual reaction to you. And to this day, I still try to implement it.\”

    Black shared that The Undertaker would regularly take time to speak with him about character development, noting:

    \”Every once in a while he would just take me to the side and was just talking to me about like this character stuff and it was just very very cool cuz he didn\’t have to do that but he did.\”

    Protecting His Character and Himself

    Most wrestlers are very active on social media, but Aleister Black is not among them. He\’s purposely all-but-stepped away from social media, in part because he considers himself a private person, but also because he feels it helps protect the aura of his mysterious character.

    \”It\’s also always been a little bit by design that I have slowly and gradually been okay with wanting to allow people to kind of see that side of myself. Both characteristic protection but also just human protection because I\’m a pretty private person. I\’ve always been a private person…

    The more that I kind of distance myself from that, the more I\’m okay with putting certain stuff forward because, you know, it\’s not the focal point anymore.\”

    The Golden Age of NXT

    Elsewhere in the extensive interview, he spoke about his surprising deep connection to hip-hop music despite his black metal aesthetic, his martial arts background, and what many fans consider to be the \”golden age\” of WWE\’s NXT brand.

    \”It was the perfect storm because it was a bunch of the older veterans like Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Terry Taylor, Norman Smiley, Robbie Brookside, William Regal, Scotty Tahi, all these guys that did it in their way… and they took us, a bunch of guys that were like these ravenous crazy indie dudes, and kind of blend their thoughts and styles into us and just shaped what became NXT Black and Gold. I feel that that era of NXT from 2015 to 2020 was the best pro wrestling at that time. I don\’t think there was anything better.\”

    Watch the full interview here:

  • Aleister Black: The Majority Of My Career is Over

    Aleister Black is back in WWE, but how much longer can fans expect to see him in the ring? Speaking during his Tom Budgen: Stillness in the Void documentary, Black candidly discussed his in-ring future.

    \”I\’m 39. I have another five to eight years in me. Physically, I feel great. I think this is probably the best I\’ve looked physically as well.\”

    Black emphasized that advancements in technology, science, and nutrition have allowed athletes to perform at high levels later into their careers—an age where performance once typically declined. Nevertheless, Black is realistic about his future inside the squared circle.

    \”I have no illusions about this — the majority of my career is well past me, absolutely.\”

    As for Aleister Black’s current career, he made his return to WWE during the April 25 edition of SmackDown. After years as part of AEW, the Dutch Superstar is ready to continue his legacy in WWE, even as the end of his career draws nearer each day.

  • Aleister Black Returns On WWE SmackDown

    A notable return happened on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, as Aleister Black, aka Malaki Black, is back. 

    On the show, Black came out to interrupt a segment with The Miz, who had been talking. Miz went to get into Black’s face, but Black laid him out with a Black Mass and then sat down in the ring to end the segment. Black came back to his old entrance theme song. 

    Black first gained prominence in WWE\’s NXT from 2017 to 2021. During his time in NXT, he achieved significant success, capturing the NXT Championship and winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic alongside Ricochet.

    Following his stint in NXT, Black transitioned to WWE\’s main roster. However, his time there was cut short, and he was released in 2021. From 2021 to early 2025, he wrestled for AEW under the moniker Malakai Black. Several weeks ago, his tenure with AEW came to an end when he was granted his release from the company.

  • Aleister Black’s Return to WWE: What to Know

    Aleister Black\’s WWE return is set for tonight\’s episode of WWE SmackDown (April 25, 2025), marking his first appearance since his 2021 release. Known as Malakai Black during his AEW tenure, his comeback has been quietly building through weeks of cryptic teases.

    Build-Up and Teasers

    Over the past several weeks, WWE has aired unsettling vignettes featuring dark, symbolic imagery tied to Black’s former WWE persona. Visuals like a lone chair encircled by candles directly reference the “Dark Father” character from his previous run.

    The vignettes escalated in detail, incorporating the numbers “4” and “25” — subtly signaling the April 25 return date. Zelina Vega, Black’s real-life wife, has also appeared in these segments and was recently moved to SmackDown, reinforcing speculation about his comeback.

    Details on the Return

    Multiple outlets have confirmed that Black’s return is locked for the April 25 edition of SmackDown, the first show following WrestleMania 41. The episode will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.

    His re-debut was reportedly delayed until after WrestleMania to ensure maximum exposure and creative momentum. He was also spotted at WWE Headquarters in recent weeks, adding to internal buzz.

    Creative Direction and Potential Storylines

    Early reports suggest Black’s return could intersect with ongoing supernatural-themed storylines. He may align with or challenge the Wyatt Sicks faction, or possibly engage with Uncle Howdy, hinting at a deeper horror-inspired angle.

    Despite a strong run in NXT, Black struggled to find consistent direction on the main roster before his departure. Now, with Triple H guiding WWE’s creative, there’s renewed hope that Black will finally receive a sustained push and a defined role.

    Still, some analysts caution that the success of his return could hinge on how audiences receive the darker character elements — particularly if paired with less conventional storytelling.

  • WWE Delivers Its Biggest Clue Yet Over Aleister Black\’s Alleged Return

    Rumors continue to grow about Aleister Black returning to WWE and now the promotion may have given their biggest confirmation to date. During the April 11, edition of WWE SmackDown, another cryptic video was aired which fans believe is hyping up the return of the Dutch wrestler. During the video, a chair surrounded by candles was featured amid the smoky atmosphere.

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"

    Fans immediately speculated that this was a nod to Black, specifically a tenure from his WWE career shortly before his exit in 2021. That year, Black was seen in a chair surrounded by candles, reading from the book \’Tales of the Dark Father.\’ Not only did WWE include this imagery on this week\’s SmackDown, but this segment was followed by a match featuring Zelina Vega, Black\’s real-life wife.

    Not only are WWE suggesting that Black will return, but fans may already know the exact date of his comeback. This week\’s segment also saw the number 4 and the Roman numeral for 25. This has left many thinking that Black\’s return will come on the April 25, edition of WWE SmackDown, the first episode of the blue brand after WrestleMania 41.

    Black was a hit in WWE NXT, becoming the brand\’s top champion, but that success was not matched when he was called to the main roster. With Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque now overseeing the entirity of WWE\’s creative direction, it remains to be seen if Black can have the main roster run many hoped for him, should he return as countless fans predict.

  • Aleister Black\’s WWE Return Date Potentially Revealed

    Fans believe they have figured out the WWE return date for Aleister Black.

    The company has been airing mystery vignettes for two different stars on SmackDown over the past few weeks. Rey Fenix was revealed to be behind one set of the mystery videos on this week\’s episode of the show. The high-flying star is now set to make his debut for the promotion next week.

    The company has continued to withhold information about the other set of the vignettes believed to be indicating towards the WWE return of the former NXT Champion. Though after this week, some believe they have figured out the date for Black\’s return as well.

    Aleister Black\’s WWE Return Date Revealed?

    Otra viñeta de Aleister Black ? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cdh8SvMHbD

    — LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) March 28, 2025

    All the previous video packages had featured the number 4 with some other signs that were hard to decipher. The video shown on this week\’s episode of the Blue Branded show, however, also featured the Roman numerals for number 25 for a very brief moment.

    Putting both the numbers together, fans believe that this is an indication that the former AEW star will be making his return to the company during the April 25 episode of SmackDown.

    That will be the first episode of the show following WrestleMania 41 so it would make sense for the company to create buzz for it with the big return.

    Whether the former champion\’s return is officially announced beforehand or if the company keeps it a secret untill then will be something we have to see.

  • Aleister Black’s WWE Return Date Reportedly Revealed

    Aleister Black’s return to WWE appears to be set, with a recent SmackDown teaser hinting at his comeback ahead of WrestleMania 41.

    A mysterious vignette aired during the March 14 episode of SmackDown, fueling speculation about the former Malakai Black’s return. The segment was indeed for Black, and he is expected to make his in-ring return on the SmackDown following WrestleMania 41, per Fightful Select.

    The April 25 edition of SmackDown will take place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Bianca Belair, Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens, and U.S. Champion LA Knight advertised for the event.

    Black last competed in WWE on the October 12, 2020, episode of Raw, losing to Kevin Owens in a No Disqualifications match. After interfering in a May 2021 SmackDown main event, he was released before wrestling another match.

    Black\’s Road Back to WWE

    Malakai Black made his impactful AEW debut in July 2021 at Road Rager, where he attacked both Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes with his signature Black Mass kick. During his tenure with AEW from 2021 to 2025, Black established himself as one of the company\’s most unique and compelling talents, engaging in notable feuds with Cody Rhodes and Adam Copeland.

    He became the de facto leader of The House of Black stable, which included Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart. Under his leadership, the faction captured the AEW World Trios Championship in March 2023 at Revolution by defeating The Elite, marking Black\’s first championship in AEW before losing the titles to Billy Gunn and The Acclaimed at All In.

    Black\’s contract with AEW officially expired on February 9, 2025, making him a free agent and concluding his nearly four-year run with the promotion

  • WWE Teases 2 New Arrivals With Mystery Vignettes on SmackDown

    WWE aired not one but two mystery vignettes on this week\’s episode of SmackDown from Olimpic Arena in Barcelona, Spain, teasing the arrival of a couple of interesting names.

    The first of the video packages showed a masked superstar working the ropes with several shots of lightening indicating the fast-paced action he\’ll be bringing to the table with him:

    THE OFFICIAL REY FENIX TEASER ? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OUlFK0BigO

    — Roman Reigns SZN ? (@reigns_era) March 14, 2025

    This footage is believed to be teasing the debut of Rey Fenix who was finally released from his AEW contract earlier this month.

    The belief is that Fenix will be joining his brother Penta upon his debut on AEW and reforming the tag team which has won championships in every company they have competed in including AEW, TNA, MLW and more.

    Dark vignette Teases Return of Former Champion

    The second vignette is much harder to dissect however as it only features the sound of some footsteps and shows the number 4 with smoke running through the screen before darkness ensues:

    NEW CREEPY VIGNETTE…

    COULD IT BE… ALEISTER BLACK?!?! ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/qHCEZSHewZ

    — The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) March 14, 2025

    While not confirmed, many have speculated that this could be the teaser for the return of former NXT Champion Aleister Black.

    The Dutch professional wrestler has been part of the AEW roster since 2021. He joined the company after getting released from the Endeavor-owned promotion as part of the COVID-era budget cuts.

    Black has reportedly already finished up with the promotion and he is expected to become a free agent sometime before March, if he hasn\’t done so already.

    The promos do not give us an idea of when or where these two names will actually make their first in-person appearance but the shows post WrestleMania would be an ideal spot to introduce them on WWE programming.

  • Aleister Black’s WWE Return Is Only a Matter of Time

    With Aleister Black\’s AEW contract now expired, all signs point to an inevitable WWE return for the Dutch striker. The question isn\’t if he\’ll return, but when – and more importantly, where he fits in today\’s WWE landscape.

    Black\’s previous WWE run, while showing flashes of brilliance, never quite reached the heights many expected. However, the company\’s creative direction under Triple H has demonstrated a stronger understanding of how to utilize talent with unique personas and strong in-ring abilities – qualities Black possesses in spades.

    The current WWE roster offers intriguing possibilities for Black\’s return. His hard-hitting style could create compelling matchups with performers like Damian Priest, GUNTHER and Drew McIntyre. His history with Andrade, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa from their NXT days could easily be revisited on a grander stage. He\’s The possibility of a reunion – or confrontation – with his wife Zelina Vega adds another layer of storytelling potential.

    Black\’s supernatural-tinged character would fit seamlessly into WWE\’s current presentation of metaphysical storylines, as seen with performers like Bray Wyatt and Karrion Kross. His time in AEW as Malakai Black has only refined this aspect of his character, adding depth that WWE could build upon.

    With WrestleMania season approaching, the timing couldn\’t be better for Black\’s return. Whether he emerges as a surprise Royal Rumble entrant or materializes in the aftermath of WWE\’s biggest event, one thing is certain: Aleister Black\’s return will immediately impact WWE\’s main event scene, picking up where he left off – but this time with the creative freedom to truly realize his potential.