Aleister Black Set For Big WWE Push After Impressing On SmackDown (WWE News)
WWE happy with Aleister Black's SmackDown work AND merchandise sales since returning.
Aleister Black could be in line for a push after impressing WWE since returning to the Endeavor-owned promotion earlier this year.
PWInsider reports that WWE has "been happy with both his work and merchandise sales" in 2025. Now, it appears the former NXT Champion is line for a big push on SmackDown.
Black, 40, re-debuted for WWE on the 25 April episode of SmackDown, attacking The Miz. He has since defeated Miz and Carmelo Hayes in singles action, though he was unsuccessul in a Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifier (won by LA Knight) in May, and a first-round King of the Ring 2025 Fatal Four Way with Hayes, Knight, and Randy Orton on 13 June.
One of the many wrestlers to jump ship between WWE and AEW in recent years, Aleister's first WWE run stretched from 2016 to 2021, when he was released on the same day as Braun Strowman, Lana, and others. He debuted in AEW one month later, becoming Malakai Black, and later aligning with Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart as the House of Black stable.
Malakai's final year in AEW was marred by multiple departure rumours, which the Dutchman frequently denied. In early 2025, however, it was reported that he'd be leaving AEW when his contract expired, despite online speculation that AEW may have added time to his deal due to injury-related absences.
Black formally left AEW on 10 February 2025. He has since slotted into a regular midcard role on SmackDown, with recent weeks seeing him interact with a variety of WWE roster members in backstage segments.