Aleister Black announces first independent booking after WWE release

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Last week, former WWE star Aleister Black (who was also AEW star Malakai Black for a few years) released a video teasing an evolution of his character. Beyond a thumbnail image that read “I am my death” we see Black strugglingly mentally and emotionally, a state we’re meant to infer was brought about by his second WWE release back in April. Excellently-named Cagesider Beato Puente interpreted Black’s video much more generously than I did, describing it thusly: [Black] is giving himself the permission to take off the mask of things being “okay” and allow himself to feel the anger at this turn in his life. He is stripping himself of the things that made him feel powerful because now they are empty and leave him sapped. The one thing that was clear at the end of the teaser clip? The wrestler formerly known as Aleister Black/Malakai Black is now full bald. Updated promo shots haven’t be finalized yet though, however. Because in his first announced booking of his latest independent run, Black still has long hair coming from everywhere but the top of his dome. The reveal that the 41-year-old Dutchman will be a part of Progress Wrestling’s upcoming Odyssey Tour, Sept. 4-6 does confirm that he’s going with his (presumably not trademarked) AEW name for his latest indie run… or at least the start of it. ⛵ 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 They also had a slickly produced video of their own ready, hyping Black’s history at Progress under his old name, Tommy End. A broken path has no end…#ProgressWrestling pic.twitter.com/SMIJjGnRTK — PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) August 12, 2026 The tour will also feature another recently released WWE star, but the inclusion of fka Nikki Cross isn’t terribly surprising seeing as she now owns Progress with her husband (Big Damo, fka WWE’s Killian Dain). On one of the tour’s stops, she’ll be facing the former Alba Fyre, once again working as Kay Lee Ray: Manchester! 📍 @O2RitzManc 🗓️ Sunday 6th September 🎟️ https://t.co/KywqnDiGeT@nikkistorm08 vs @KLR_KayLeeRay Faraaz & @SimonMiller316 vs Nathan Black & @TheScottOberman #ProgressWrestling pic.twitter.com/NuLdxCVl2B — PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) August 9, 2026 Excited for Malakai Black’s latest reinvention? Fired up to see the Best in the Galaxy unleashed outside of WWE? Bullish on Progress’s future? Sound off below!