The former Aleister Black has resurfaced in AEW.
On Friday, May 21, 2021, Aleister Black closed out Friday Night SmackDown by laying out Big E. which would be his final appearance in WWE as he was released on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
Now, just 35 days since that final WWE appearance, Malakai Black has surfaced in AEW and has immediately targeted Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson
Making his presence felt when aren't Anderson was just about to speak to the live crowd in Miami, Florida, Black quickly laid out both Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes with the kick no one in WWE as Black Mass. On commentary, Excalibur would say that he wrestled Tommy End 15 years ago but stressed that this is not Tommy End this is a much more Sinister individual and revealed his name to be Malakai Black.
HOLY S**T ... Malakai Black ( @TommyEnd) has arrived in @AEW!
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 8, 2021
Tune into #AEWDynamite NOW on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/CgU959OPkI
Earlier in the day, Malakai released a promo on social media fleshing out more of the psyche of this new character. Learn more here.
In an update, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Black only had a 30-day non-compete clause.
Our @davemeltzerWON is reporting that Black only had a 30-day non-compete, hence why he was able to appear tonight. ^JN https://t.co/uzjOxtOOIZ
— Wrestling Observer (@WONF4W) July 8, 2021
In an expansion on this report, Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that Black had the shorter non-compete clause because WWE forgot to change his clause to a 90-day non-compete when he would move to the main roster in early 2019.
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