5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (2 May - Results & Review)
3. Aleister Black’s Steady Reintroduction
Incoming ex-AEW man Aleister Black beating The Miz wasn’t the squash some might’ve been predicting to kick off his second WWE stint, but that shouldn’t really be Aleister’s thing anyway. He’s someone who dishes out strike-based punishment but crucially sells a bit during his matches too, and this was therefore a decent way to fill 10 minutes of airtime.
Rather conveniently, Black also has a match vs. Carmelo Hayes lined up off the back of beating Miz. That'd be the kind of scrap people would've been tripping over to see on old NXT TakeOver specials, and it should land with a thump on the main roster if WWE decides to give them some time. Such minutes should be a given when creative needs to pad out these lengthy SmackDowns, let's be honest.
It'd be churlish to moan about anything here just for the sake of it. Black beat a legacy star and former multi-time WWE Champ, so it’s hardly anything to complain about. Of course, Triple H will need to learn from history and give Al some more purpose longer term so he doesn’t just repeat old problems ("Pick a fight with meeeeeeeee" over and over, basically!), but this was a solid reintroduction to WWE fans.
Black didn't try to do too much just because he can, and The Miz played his role like a grand old wizard who's comfortable in his WWE skin. Dude's teflon at this stage in the game - he could lose every match from now until 2030 and still get a response from crowds. In that respect, he was the ideal opponent for Aleister's first showing back in the promotion.
Solid.