Backstage Note on Aleister Black at WWE Performance Center

– As previously reported, there have been a lot of questions lately from the WWE Universe on the status of former NXT World champion Aleister Black. As noted, the SmackDown Superstar has not been on WWE programing since a match with Kevin Owens last October. Also, his wife Zelina Vega (aka Thea Trinidad) was released from WWE last November. It was reported by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio earlier this week that Black is currently dealing with minor injuries. Additionally, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported in a Q&A column with an update on Black’s status, noting that he was seen at WWE Performance Center for the last several weeks.

The details and nature of Black’s rumored injuries are unknown. According to Dave Meltzer, Black was one of the names that Paul Heyman wanted to push on TV when he was Executive Director of Raw and that Heyman was high on Black. However, much like Andrade, Angel Garza, and Murphy, Black was reportedly not one of “Vince’s favorites.” It was also reported earlier by Meltzer on WOR that Black would be “stuck in catering” until his contract runs out.

Aleister Black first signed with WWE in 2016. He later made his NXT debut in April 2017. He made his main roster debut on Raw in 2019.