Aleister Black Refutes AEW Exit Rumors, Confirms WWE Return

Aleister Black has publicly addressed and dismissed numerous rumors surrounding his departure from AEW, clarifying that he was neither unhappy with the promotion nor unwilling to lose matches. In interviews and podcasts, Black explained that narratives about his injuries or refusal to be pinned are false, emphasizing that his limited utilization was simply a booking decision beyond his control. He described his return to WWE in April 2025 as a calculated business decision, factoring in creative opportunities, professional goals, and personal reasons such as his wife Zelina Vega's presence in WWE. Black also highlighted that his departure from AEW was amicable and occurred after his contract expired, with no early release involved. Since rejoining WWE, he has become a key figure on SmackDown and is scheduled for a marquee match against Damian Priest ahead of SummerSlam. Throughout his commentary, Black emphasized that many of the negative narratives were driven by fan speculation rather than reality.