Aleister Black has opened up on how long he thinks he can continue to wrestle.
After weeks of speculation, Aleister Black made his WWE return on the April 25th edition of SmackDown. There, the former AEW star interrupted The Miz as he ranted about missing out on WrestleMania 41.
When the A-lister was rapping up his segment, the lights went out, and Black made his way to the ring with his classic WWE music. As the fans chanted ‘Welcome back,’ Black turned his attention to Miz and dropped him with a Black Mass kick before sitting cross-legged in the ring.
How Long Will Aleister Black Continue To Compete?
In a mini-documentary from Josiah Williams of Wrestle & Flow, Black reflected on how much time he has left in the ring. The former leader of the House of Black believes he still has five to eight years before he decides to hang up his boots.
“I’m 39. I hope that I have another five to eight years left in me. Physically, I feel great. I think this is the best I’ve looked physically as well. Technology changes, nutrition changes, science changes, sports science changes. You see athletes getting older and older and being able to perform at higher levels, even when they’re old. I definitely feel I’m part of that in certain aspects, but I have no illusions about this that the majority of my career is well past me, absolutely.
“That’s not a sad thing, that’s a good thing. Being able to survive for this long and staying relevant, I’d say that’s something I’m definitely proud of. Dedicated fanbase, we’re still doing good despite setback after setback after all the things that have happened, they’re all still there and it’s heartwarming to feel that a lot of people are still rooting for me.
“That’s something I think I lost sight of. You dive down into that darkness you feel and that misery you cling onto, especially when that’s what you’re used to your entire life. Going back to that first emotion you’re familiar with. Oh, everything is bad, everything’s going to come falling down anyway. It doesn’t matter.
“To have that control is life-changing and that mechanism is the best thing I’ve learned over the last year. This is absolutely a part of me that has accepted, at age 39, I have five to eight years left, and I’m okay with that.”
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.