The Problem With Aleister Black That No One Wants To Talk About

Looking at Black's WWE path to date brings little hope of a resurgence.

NXT got Aleister right. Its writers succeeded where those on the main roster failed. This is true of many a Full Sail University graduate, but doubly so for Black.

The Dutchman's dark, brooding energy goes back to his indie days, when he successfully incorporate shadowy, occult-like imagery into an act as imposing for its presentation as Tommy End's hard-hitting style between the ropes. In 2016, this was successfully transplanted into NXT. There, Black proved his mettle as a potential standout in the world's biggest promotion - and it clicked. Aleister spoke little, kicked *ss often, had an industry-best ring entrance, and carried weight. He was a believable NXT Champion by the time he won it and an immensely marketable commodity when he left.

Called up in a panic alongside Ricochet, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa in February 2019, it was immediately clear that those penning Raw and SmackDown had no plans for Black beyond the immediate. Pick A Fight proved this, but in Paul Heyman, Aleister at least had a main roster supporter. Though Vince McMahon will never not have the final say in WWE, Heyman was a glimmer of hope for Black, Andrade, and the former ECW chief"s other reported favourites.

Though the train had come off the rails long beforehand, Paul E.'s June 2020 demotion as Raw Executive Director extinguished that hope.

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