On the May 21 episode of WWE SmackDown, Aleister Black (Malakai Black in AEW), made his return to television by attack Big E on WWE SmackDown.
On June 2, Black was released by WWE.
The angle between Big E and Black was never followed up on as Black went on to sign with AEW while Big E is now the Money in the Bank briefcase holder.
Speaking to Louis Dangoor of Give Me Sport, Big E commented on his one day feud with Black.
"I don't know the plans. I had no idea," he said of Black's release. "Obviously, we had seen the vignettes for weeks and weeks. He comes out at the end of the main event and kicks me in the face. I'm thinking, 'Airight, it's him and I, we're going to run for a bit.' I was definitely surprised (when he got released). I think he's extremely talented and has a ton to offer. People were excited to see us because there is such a difference in the way we carry ourselves and our characters. We're polar opposites and I think it would have made for a lot of fun. I'm not entirely sure the way things went the way they did. I think he's an incredible talent and a guy who I didn't worry about him and his future. I knew he would get picked up somewhere. I didn't know the plan or where we were going, but I had been married to Apollo and he has a ton to offer in the ring. It's been a long time with him and I. The Aleister thing was an opportunity to do something different and a nice break from that. It ended up fizzling. He's very good at what he does and I wish him well."
Big E is still tied to Apollo Crews as part of the Intercontinental Championship picture.
As for Black, he is set to make his AEW in-ring debut on the August 4 episode of Dynamite against Cody Rhodes.
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