Former Aleister Black announced for first post-WWE shows
The former Aleister Black has now been announced for his first set of post-WWE dates.
One week after Black debuted a new look and teased his in-ring return, it’s been announced that he’ll be working three dates for PROGRESS Wrestling next month. The shows are happening in Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester from September 4-6. Black is advertised as “Malakai Black,” the name he used in AEW and on the indies between his WWE stints.
PROGRESS has not announced any of the opponents Black will be facing but teased that he has championship ambitions:
- One of the biggest names in professional wrestling is coming to Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester for his first matches back on the independent wrestling scene!
- He’s held gold in every major company he’s set foot in and returns to PROGRESS with one major goal…
As Tommy End, Black was a regular for PROGRESS in his pre-WWE career. Ownership of the UK-based promotion has changed hands a couple of times since then, with former WWE wrestlers Nikki Storm (Nikki Cross) and Big Damo (Killian Dain) now the current owners.
Black was released by WWE in April during the company’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. After becoming a free agent, he posted a social media hype video on August 6 that ended with Black revealing a new look with a fully shaved head. It’s unknown what’s next for Black in pro wrestling past these PROGRESS bookings.
PROGRESS Wrestling’s The Odyssey Tour —
These three shows are happening on PROGRESS’ Odyssey Tour, which has five shows in total. Here are the dates and locations for the three events Black will be working:
- Friday, September 4 at Corn Exchange in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Saturday, September 5 at O2 Academy in Leeds, England
- Sunday, September 6 at O2 Ritz in Manchester, England
The remaining shows on the tour are being held in Bournemouth and Birmingham on September 12-13.
THE ODYSSEY TOUR – MALAKAI BLACK WILL BE COMPETING
One of the biggest names in professional wrestling is coming to Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester for his first matches back on the independent wrestling scene!
He’s held gold in every major company he’s set foot in and… pic.twitter.com/fZlb9YTuL6
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) August 12, 2026
Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated’s wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.
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