Malakai Black is officially heading back to the independent wrestling scene.
One week after debuting a new look and teasing his return to the ring, the former Aleister Black has been announced for three PROGRESS Wrestling events next month.
Black will compete for the promotion in Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester from September 4-6. He is being advertised under the Malakai Black name, which he previously used during his time with AEW and on the independent scene between his WWE runs.
While opponents have yet to be announced, PROGRESS teased that Black will be coming back with championship aspirations.
“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,” PROGRESS Wrestling announced. “He’s held gold in every major company he’s set foot in and returns to PROGRESS with one major goal.”
Black has plenty of history with PROGRESS, having regularly competed for the UK promotion as Tommy End before signing with WWE.
The promotion has undergone multiple ownership changes since Black’s original run, with former WWE stars Nikki Storm (Nikki Cross) and Big Damo (Killian Dain) now serving as its owners.
Black was released by WWE in April as part of the company’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. After entering free agency, he resurfaced on social media on August 6 with a hype video teasing his next chapter.
The video concluded with Black unveiling a new look, including a fully shaved head.
⛵ 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
