FORT WORTH, Texas — The wrestling world felt the ground shift on April 25 when Aleister Black stormed back into WWE, silencing The Miz with a brutal Black Mass kick that echoed through a sold-out Dickies Arena. After weeks of cryptic vignettes teasing his comeback, the Dutch striker made his presence undeniable, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash with the self-proclaimed A-Lister on the next SmackDown, scheduled for May 2. This isn’t just a match—it’s Black’s first WWE bout in five years, a moment fans have been clamoring for since his abrupt exit in 2021.
Black’s return wasn’t subtle. The Miz, mid-rant about being snubbed for WrestleMania 41, was listing his gripes—missed opportunities when Rey Mysterio got injured, or when Randy Orton needed a last-minute opponent. The arena went dark. Candles flickered at the entrance. Black’s haunting NXT-era theme, a remixed growl of his original, filled the air. He emerged, slow and deliberate, his silhouette cutting through the haze. The crowd roared “welcome back” as he stepped into the ring. The Miz barely got a word out before Black’s spinning heel kick dropped him cold. No words, just impact. Black sat cross-legged in the ring’s center, brooding, as the arena buzzed.
This isn’t Black’s first rodeo. A former NXT Champion, he dominated the black-and-gold brand with an undefeated streak in singles matches for over a year, claiming the title at TakeOver: New Orleans in 2018. His main roster run, though, never quite hit the same stride, fizzling out before his release in June 2021. Black then carved a path in All Elite Wrestling as Malakai Black, leading the House of Black stable and holding the AEW World Trios Championship. His AEW contract expired in February 2025, and after a brief free agency, WWE pounced, bringing him back to SmackDown with his original persona intact.
The Miz, no stranger to the spotlight, has been a WWE mainstay since 2007, headlining WrestleMania against John Cena and racking up accolades. On April 25, he was fuming over WrestleMania 41’s snubs, calling out newcomers like Rey Fenix and TNA’s Joe Hendry for stealing his thunder. His promo, dripping with frustration, set the perfect stage for Black’s ambush. Now, the May 2 SmackDown, airing at 8/7c on USA Network, will see these two collide in a match that’s less about titles and more about settling scores.
Black’s return wasn’t the only shock that night. Zelina Vega, his real-life wife, claimed the Women’s United States Championship from Chelsea Green, marking her as the second-ever holder of the title. Nia Jax also reappeared, attacking WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. But Black’s moment stole the show, a reminder of his knack for commanding attention without saying a word.
The matchup was confirmed by WWE officials shortly after Black’s attack, with the announcement hitting the airwaves as fans still reeled from the chaos. Black, trained in kickboxing and Indonesian martial art pencak silat, brings a striker’s precision to the ring. The Miz, a veteran talker and tactician, won’t go down easy. Their styles—Black’s methodical menace versus Miz’s scrappy showmanship—promise a clash that could redefine SmackDown’s landscape.
Black’s last WWE match was in 2021, a fleeting appearance before his release. The Miz has been a constant, wrestling across Raw, SmackDown, and pay-per-views. The May 2 event takes place in the same Fort Worth arena, with no changes to the broadcast schedule. Black is listed as a SmackDown roster member, alongside Vega. The Miz remains a SmackDown regular, contracted through 2025. No injuries were reported from Black’s April 25 attack.