WATCH: Aleister Black makes his return on WWE SmackDown

On Friday night's SmackDown in Fort Worth, the former NXT Champion Aleister Black made his eagerly awaited comeback. Fans were left wondering what Black would do when his AEW contract expired. All the evidence led to a WWE return, with Triple H being in charge of the organisation's creative direction and having been a steadfast ally of Black during his time in NXT.  

Fans now appear to be receiving the long-awaited homecoming. The Miz made an appearance to make a promo towards the end of SmackDown. He grumbled about being passed up for opportunities. When Rey Fenix and Joe Hendry were sent in as last-minute replacements, the former WWE Champion was making a promotional statement about how ridiculous it was that he was left off the WrestleMania program.

Watch the video here:

ALEISTER BLACK IS BACK!!!#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/abhtu5SFKY

— WWE (@WWE) April 26, 2025

Miz claimed he was fed up with individuals entering the WWE and taking his place. After then, the Dickies Arena was filled with the well-known Aleister Black WWE theme as the lights went down. Amid a wave of "welcome back chants," he approached the ring cautiously before dropping The Miz with a Black Mass.  Black hasn't been spotted in a WWE ring for almost four years.

Many stars are joining WWE from AEW

In June 2021, a few days after he had taken a long break from television to begin a new show with Big E, he was unceremoniously let go by the firm. He swiftly transferred his skills to the company's leading rival.  A month or so after leaving WWE, Malakai Black made his All Elite Wrestling debut at Dynamite Road Rager.  He would spend years building his House of Black stable by enlisting celebrities like Julia Hart, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews to walk in the dark with him.

Among their many achievements was a run for the title of AEW Trios Champions with Black, Matthews & King. Later, Hart would compete in singles and win the TBS Championship. The four superstars left AEW within days of one another back in early February, and Aleister Black now joins Rusev, Ricky Starks, and Rey Fenix in joining WWE.