Aleister Black Makes Major Announcement After WWE Exit, Returns as Malakai Black

Aleister Black is beginning the next chapter of his wrestling career following his WWE exit, with PROGRESS Wrestling announcing an upcoming appearance for the former NXT Champion. The announcement is particularly notable because Black will be promoted under the name Malakai Black, the identity he used during his AEW run.

Black’s latest career development comes only months after WWE released him alongside his wife, Zelina Vega. His second WWE run had initially generated significant excitement, especially after the company spent weeks building anticipation for his return following WrestleMania 41. However, his eventual WWE storyline failed to reach the level many fans expected.

Now, with a new appearance confirmed outside WWE, attention has shifted toward Black’s future. His return to PROGRESS Wrestling could provide an important opportunity to rebuild momentum, reconnect with audiences and establish the direction of his post-WWE career.

Aleister Black’s second WWE run did not go as planned

Black’s WWE return was one of the more heavily anticipated comebacks following WrestleMania 41. WWE used a series of mysterious vignettes on SmackDown to build anticipation before finally bringing him back to the blue brand.

His return immediately established him as a dangerous presence. Black attacked The Miz on his first night back, creating an instant impression and giving fans a clear indication that WWE intended to present him as a serious threat.

He subsequently defeated The Miz and moved into a feud with Damian Priest. On paper, the matchup had plenty of potential because both performers had established reputations as physically imposing and character-driven wrestlers.

However, the program lasted longer than many fans expected without developing into the major storyline that Black’s return seemed to promise.

The Damian Priest feud failed to provide the expected breakthrough

The rivalry between Black and Damian Priest became a major part of his early second WWE run, but the creative direction surrounding both wrestlers became a frequent talking point among fans.

Instead of using the feud to elevate Black toward the upper portion of the SmackDown roster, the storyline struggled to generate the momentum expected from two established performers.

This became particularly important because Black’s character depends heavily on atmosphere, presentation and meaningful rivalries. His mysterious persona works best when WWE gives him a clear narrative purpose rather than simply placing him in isolated matches.

The same problem affected Priest. The rivalry had two recognizable names, but the creative direction did not consistently make either performer feel like a central figure in the brand.

Randy Orton storyline created another opportunity

Black’s next major storyline involved Randy Orton, giving WWE another chance to position him in a prominent program.

The two wrestlers traded victories, and the storyline appeared to be moving toward a larger direction heading into WrestleMania. Orton’s victory in the Elimination Chamber was especially significant because it was expected to shape the WrestleMania program.

Black was initially positioned to work alongside Orton, but the plan changed. Pat McAfee ultimately replaced Black in the storyline, leaving the former NXT Champion without the major WrestleMania role many fans had expected.

Black was released by WWE the week after WrestleMania, along with Zelina Vega.

PROGRESS Wrestling brings Malakai Black back into the spotlight

The latest announcement gives Black an opportunity to move forward. PROGRESS Wrestling has announced that he will make an appearance for the promotion, but the most interesting detail is the name attached to the announcement.

Instead of being advertised as Aleister Black, he is being billed as Malakai Black.

That name carries considerable significance because it was the identity Black used during his time in AEW. The return to the Malakai Black name immediately connects his upcoming appearance with another major period of his career.

For fans who followed his AEW run, the announcement therefore feels like more than a routine independent-wrestling appearance. It represents the return of a character that became closely associated with Black’s dark presentation and his work with the House of Black.

Why the Malakai Black name matters

Names are particularly important in professional wrestling because they are closely connected to a performer’s identity, presentation and history.

Aleister Black was strongly associated with Black’s WWE career, especially his NXT run. Malakai Black, meanwhile, became the name attached to his AEW period and the House of Black faction.

Using the Malakai Black name for the PROGRESS appearance could therefore give him more freedom to draw from the character that became established outside WWE.

It also demonstrates how quickly a wrestler can transition between identities after leaving a major promotion. Instead of immediately trying to recreate his WWE presentation, Black can lean into the persona that AEW audiences already know.

Black’s AEW history remains an important part of his career

Before returning to WWE, Black spent several years in All Elite Wrestling. During that period, he became one of the central figures in the House of Black alongside Buddy Matthews and Brody King.

The group provided Black with a setting that suited his presentation. The faction’s darker aesthetic allowed him to develop his character through cinematic segments, faction storytelling and physical confrontations.

That period is important when considering his next move because it demonstrated that Black can function effectively outside WWE when he is placed in a creative environment that complements his character.

His AEW run also established Malakai Black as a recognizable identity independent of his earlier WWE work.

MJF previously criticized Malakai Black

Black’s AEW history also resurfaced following his WWE release when MJF discussed him during an interview with Ariel Helwani.

MJF questioned Black’s commitment to AEW and described him as the biggest example of a wrestler allegedly using the promotion as a stepping stone toward WWE. MJF made it clear that he was speaking from what he claimed he had heard from people within the AEW locker room.

“F*ck off, go elsewhere. Or f*cking prove me wrong. I would love to be proved wrong.”

The comments added another layer to the discussion surrounding Black’s career path. However, they represent MJF’s perspective and should not be treated as an established fact about Black’s intentions or conduct.

What is objectively clear is that Black has now worked for both WWE and AEW during different stages of his career and is currently moving into another phase following his latest WWE departure.

Could PROGRESS Wrestling become a launching pad?

Black’s PROGRESS appearance could be valuable even if it is not immediately connected to a long-term contract.

Independent wrestling promotions can provide experienced performers with greater creative freedom and the opportunity to work in front of passionate audiences. For a wrestler whose presentation relies heavily on character and atmosphere, that environment can be particularly useful.

PROGRESS can also give Black a chance to experiment. Rather than immediately entering another lengthy television storyline, he can work with different performers and test how audiences respond to his current presentation.

The appearance could ultimately become a stepping stone toward another major wrestling opportunity, although there is no confirmation about Black’s long-term plans.

What makes Malakai Black different from Aleister Black?

Although both names belong to the same performer, they represent different stages of his career.

The decision to use Malakai Black for the PROGRESS appearance therefore gives fans a strong clue about which version of the character the performer may want to emphasize outside WWE.

What Black needs from his next wrestling chapter

The biggest priority for Black should be consistency. His career has already demonstrated that he can make a strong first impression, but the challenge has been maintaining momentum once the initial excitement surrounding a return fades.

His next opportunity should ideally provide him with a clear purpose. Whether that means a major rivalry, a faction storyline or a character-driven program, Black needs more than impressive entrances and isolated victories.

His greatest strength has always been the ability to create an atmosphere around his character. The right creative environment can turn that strength into a compelling long-term storyline.

Three possible directions for Malakai Black

• Independent wrestling run: Black could make appearances across major independent promotions and rebuild his momentum outside the traditional WWE-AEW environment.
• Return to a major promotion: His experience with WWE and AEW could make him an attractive option for another large wrestling company in the future.
• Character-focused revival: Black could use the freedom of independent wrestling to further develop the Malakai Black persona before deciding on his next major destination.

Why the PROGRESS announcement is worth watching

The significance of Black’s upcoming appearance goes beyond the event itself. It gives fans their first meaningful indication of what his post-WWE career could look like.

After a WWE return that failed to produce the sustained momentum many expected, Black now has an opportunity to control the narrative around his next chapter.

The use of his AEW-era name makes the announcement even more intriguing. It suggests that the Malakai Black identity remains an important part of his professional wrestling persona and could become central to his future work.

There is no guarantee that the PROGRESS appearance will lead to a major storyline or another full-time contract. But it gives Black a platform, and platforms are valuable for a performer trying to rebuild momentum.

Conclusion: Malakai Black begins another chapter after WWE

Aleister Black’s WWE exit has now been followed by a significant announcement as the former NXT Champion prepares to appear for PROGRESS Wrestling under his Malakai Black name.

The move comes after a second WWE run that began with considerable anticipation but ultimately failed to deliver the major success many fans expected. His storylines with The Miz, Damian Priest and Randy Orton produced moments of interest, but Black was eventually removed from the WrestleMania program and released shortly afterward.

His next appearance offers a fresh opportunity. By returning as Malakai Black, he can reconnect with the identity that became closely associated with his AEW career and the House of Black.

Whether PROGRESS becomes the beginning of a broader independent run, a temporary stop before another major promotion or simply a special appearance remains to be seen. What is certain is that Black’s wrestling journey is entering another unpredictable phase.

For a performer whose career has repeatedly been defined by reinvention, the Malakai Black chapter may have plenty of life left in it.