Aleister Black Debuts In AEW, New Name Revealed

Written by Liam Stewart • Published 8th July 2021
Aleister Black

During AEW’s Road Rager event former NXT Champion Aleister Black made his shocking debut attacking the legendary Arn Anderson and AEW EVP Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes & Anderson would take to the ring following Andrade El Idolo’s in-ring debut against Matt Sydal, before either man could speak the lights would cut to black and the man formerly known as Aleister Black would appear in ring dawning a new look and name.

AEW commentator Excalibur would reference Black’s past as Tommy End but would inform viewers that this incarnation of End is known as Malakai Black and he represents the darker part of Black’s persona.

Malakai is possibly a reference to the Hebrew word for ‘My Angel’ a poetic fit for Black’s dark and sinister persona and appearance.

Malakai would lay out 62-year-old Arn Anderson with the Black Mass before appearing to allow Rhodes to tend to his fallen mentor, only to lay Rhodes out with a second Black Mass before exiting up the entrance ramp.

Black was released from the WWE back in June during a wave of WWE releases that included former Universal Champion Braun Strowman and former Rollins disciple Buddy Murphy.

Pro Wrestling Tees have released two official Malakai Black t-shirts following the former WWE Superstars AEW debut.

Elsewhere on AEW Road Rager, Cody Rhodes would defeat QT Marshall, Andrade El Idolo would defeat Matt Sydal and Jericho would fight off a fan following a ring invasion during his face-to-face show off with wrestling’s most hated man MJF.

American Top Team was in attendance during the show with Amanda Nunes and Jorge Masvidal appearing in the front row before Dan Lambert would enter the ring to promote McGregor vs. Portier and insulting the AEW product to the lively crowd only to be laid out by none other than Lance Archer.

Inside the Ropes will provide more information regarding Black’s status with AEW as it becomes available.