Aleister Black, now using the name “Malakai Black,” made his AEW debut tonight on Dynamite: Road Rager.
During an in-ring promo by Arn Anderson, the lights suddenly went out and when they came back on a few seconds later, Black was standing in the ring and nailed Anderson with a Black Mass. Cody Rhodes then ran into the ring and faced off with Black, but Black disarmed him by pretending to back off, then also hit Cody with a Black Mass.
On commentary, Excalibur said, “That is Tommy End, but that man standing in the ring, that is not Tommy End. That is Malakai Black.” The crowd then broke out into a “Tommy, Tommy” chant.
Black introduced the Malakai Black name/character earlier today in an Instagram video.
Black was released by WWE on June 2, which raised questions about whether he had a non-compete clause. According to PWInsider, when Black was moved from NXT to the main roster a few years ago, WWE did not update his contract from the 30 day non-compete that NXT talent has to the 90 day non-compete that main roster talent is given. PWInsider described this as a “clerical error,” which allowed Black to debut two months earlier than it was expected he would be able.
Last month, it was reported that he was likely AEW-bound, although some people in WWE were reportedly pushing to re-sign him.
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