Aleister Black

Tom Budgen (born 19 May 1985) is a Dutch professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Malakai Black. He is also known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Aleister Black from 2017 to 2021.

Prior to signing with WWE, Budgen worked for promotions across Europe, United States, and Japan, under the ring name Tommy End. He most notably wrestled for Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), Progress Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), where he held numerous championships including the wXw Unified World Heavyweight Championship, wXw World Lightweight Championship, wXw World Tag Team Championship, ICW Tag Team Championship, and the Progress Tag Team Championship.

Budgen joined WWE on their NXT brand in April 2017, debuting at NXT TakeOver: Orlando. At NXT TakeOver: New Orleans in April 2018, he won the NXT Championship and held it until July 2018. In April 2019, he was moved to Raw. Later that year, he was drafted to SmackDown, where he appeared sporadically before being released in June 2021; he joined AEW a month later under a new ring name, "Malakai Black".

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2002–2016)

Budgen wrestled extensively on the independent circuit in the United Kingdom and Europe, under the ring name "Tommy End", working for promotions like Pro Wrestling Holland (PWH), Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), Progress Wrestling, Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), Over the Top Wrestling (OTT), Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), and Pro Wrestling Showdown (PWS) among others. He also worked for international promotions, such as North America's Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Evolve and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), as well as the Japanese promotion Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW).

He held numerous championships, among other accolades, he is a former wXw Unified World Heavyweight Champion, wXw World Light Heavyweight Champion, wXw World Tag Team Champion, ICW Tag Team Champion, and Progress Tag Team Champion.

WWE (2016–2021)

Early feuds (2016–2018)

In June 2016, it was reported that Budgen had signed with WWE, and he reported to the WWE Performance Center on 19 October. On 7 January 2017, he debuted the new ring name, "Aleister Black". On 15 January, he made a surprise appearance as Tommy End at the United Kingdom Championship Tournament finals, losing to Neville in a non-tournament match.

Vignettes began to air from the 8 March episode of ''NXT'', promoting Black's television debut. Black made his televised in-ring debut at NXT TakeOver: Orlando on 1 April, defeating Andrade "Cien" Almas. On 2 August episode of ''NXT'', prior to Black's match, Hideo Itami cut a promo in the ring and demanding respect. Black interrupted Itami, resulting in a stand-off between the two, and then Black performed ''Black Mass'' on Itami. Itami attempted to attack Black afterwards, but the two were eventually separated. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Black defeated Itami. Black then began a feud with Velveteen Dream, where Dream constantly stalked and harassed Black in order for him to say his name. This led to a match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, which Black won. On 27 December episode of ''NXT'', Black suffered his first pinfall loss by Johnny Gargano in a fatal-four-way match, after interference from The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, and Kyle O'Reilly). At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on 27 January 2018, Black defeated Adam Cole in an Extreme Rules match.

NXT Champion (2018–2019)

On 14 February episode of ''NXT'', Black said that he had "a devil on isback", which was the NXT Championship, he was then interrupted by Killian Dain, whom he defeated on 7 March episode of ''NXT'' to become the number one contender for the NXT Championship. Black received his title opportunity against Andrade "Cien" Almas at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on 7 April, where he defeated Almas to win the NXT Championship. On 30 May episode of ''NXT'', Black was interrupted by Lars Sullivan, who wanted a shot at the NXT Championship. This led to a match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, where Black successfully retained his title. On 25 July episode of ''NXT'', Black lost the NXT Championship to Tommaso Ciampa due to interference from Johnny Gargano, ending his reign at 108 days.

The following week on ''NXT'', Black approached the ring, during Ciampa's address to the NXT Universe, only for Gargano to run out ahead of him to attack Ciampa, after which he attacked Gargano with a ''Black Mass'' before indicating that his NXT Championship loss was Gargano's fault. A match between the three for the title was scheduled for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4, however, Black was later found unconscious in the parking lot outside the arena, after being attacked by an unseen and unknown assailant. It was later reported that Black was sent to a local medical facility, and was announced as being unable to compete. After being out of action for two months, Black returned on 17 October episode of ''NXT'', confronting Nikki Cross, who revealed that Johnny Gargano was the one, who had attacked him. A match between Black and Gargano was scheduled for NXT TakeOver: WarGames, in which Black was victorious. At NXT TakeOver: Phoenix on 26 January 2019, Black failed to regain the NXT Championship from Tommaso Ciampa. The next night at the Royal Rumble, he entered the Royal Rumble match at number 21, but was eliminated by Baron Corbin. In March, Black formed a tag team with Ricochet and the two competed in the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, which they won after defeating The Forgotten Sons (Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake) in the finals. At NXT TakeOver: New York on 5 April, Black and Ricochet unsuccessfully faced The War Raiders for the NXT Tag Team Championship.

Undefeated streak (2019–2020)

On 18 February 2019, Black made his official ''Raw'' debut, defeating Elias. Black also continued his team with Ricochet, and the duo competed in a Raw Tag Team Championship match at Fastlane that featured Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, and The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson), but failed to win. Black and Ricochet also competed for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship in a fatal four-way match the following month at WrestleMania 35, but were again unsuccessful.

As part of the Superstar Shake-up on 15 April, Black was drafted to the Raw brand. However, on 22 April, Black was drafted to the SmackDown brand, due to his real-life wife Zelina Vega being drafted there, therefore splitting him from Ricochet. Black then began appearing in ominous backstage promos in a dark room, awaiting a challenger. On 9 July episode of ''SmackDown'', his challenge was eventually accepted, with the mystery opponent to be revealed as Cesaro, who was Black's opponent at Extreme Rules in Black's first singles pay-per-view match since joining the main roster. At Extreme Rules on 14 July, Black defeated Cesaro.

As part of the 2019 Draft in October, Black was drafted to the Raw brand. Over the following weeks, Black would develop a winning streak, squashing his opponents. On 18 November episode of ''Raw'', Buddy Murphy went to Black's locker room to challenge him, but Black was absent and Murphy claimed that Black was all talk and no fight. The following week, Black appeared and attacked Murphy after his match. A match between Black and Murphy was scheduled for TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, which Black won. At the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on 26 January 2020, Black entered the Royal Rumble match at number 28, but was eliminated by Seth Rollins.

Final storylines (2020–2021)

On 24 February episode of ''Raw'', Black was attacked by The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) backstage. The next week on ''Raw'', Black faced The O.C. members in separate matches, and suffered his first pinfall loss on the main roster, to AJ Styles. At Elimination Chamber on 8 March, Black defeated Styles in a no disqualification match, with interference from The Undertaker. At WrestleMania 36 on night two of the event, Black defeated Bobby Lashley, by accidental distraction from Lashley's kayfabe wife, Lana. On 20 April episode of ''Raw'', Black defeated Austin Theory to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank. At the event, Black failed to win the match, being the 2 people, along with Rey Mysterio to be thrown off the roof of the building.

Following this, Black began a feud with Seth Rollins and Murphy after Rollins injured Rey Mysterio's eye. On 27 July episode of ''Raw'', Murphy injured Black's right eye by driving it through the steel steps. On 24 August episode of ''Raw'', Black, now wearing an eye bandage, returned during ''The Kevin Owens Show'' and attacked Kevin Owens, turning heel for the first time in his career. The following week on Raw he attacked Owens again with his Black Mass finishing move before a match against Randy Orton which Owens lost. On 14 September episode of Raw, Owens defeated Black. Owens would go on again to defeat Black, via disqualification, on 28 September episode of Raw. On 12 October episode of Raw, Black would lose again to Owens in a No Disqualification match, ending the feud. As part of the 2020 Draft in October, Black was drafted to the SmackDown brand. However following the draft, Black would disappear from television for six months. After his absence, Black returned on 23 April 2021 episode of ''SmackDown'' in a vignette promoting his return. After several weeks of vignettes, Black officially returned on 21 May episode of ''SmackDown'', attacking Big E with the ''Black Mass'' which allowed Apollo Crews to retain the Intercontinental Championship in the main event. Black was originally planned to feud with Big E as a result of it however on 2 June, he was released by WWE.

All Elite Wrestling (2021–present)

On the special 7 July 2021 episode of ''AEW Dynamite'' entitled Road Rager, Budgen made his debut appearance for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name "Malakai Black", attacking both Arn Anderson and Cody Rhodes with the Black Mass, confirming his status as a heel. During the special Homecoming episode of ''Dynamite'' on 4 August, Black made his in-ring AEW debut defeating Rhodes. After the match, Black attacked Rhodes once again, laying him out after hitting him in the back with a crutch. Black would face Rhodes in a rematch at Grand Slam on 22 September, defeating him once again.

In early 2022, Black began feuding with The Varsity Blonds (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison) and Death Triangle ( Pac and Penta El Zero Miedo). On the 12 January 2022 edition of ''Dynamite'', Brody King debuted, forming a tag team dubbed ’Kings of the Black Throne’ and the stable the House of Black. On the 23 February 2022 edition of ''Dynamite'', Buddy Matthews made his debut as the third man for the "House of Black". At Revolution's buy-in show, the stable would then win in a trios match against Death Triangle and Erick Redbeard, with Black pinning Redbeard for the victory.

Return to the Independent circuit (2021–present)

Budgen (as Malakai Black) returned to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) Mystery Vortex 7 on 1 August 2021. Along with Brody King, he saved PWG World Champion Bandido from a beating at the hands of Black Taurus, Demonic Flamita, and Super Dragon. Black later announced that he would be appearing at PWG's upcoming show, Threemendous. At that event, Black teamed with Brody King against Flamita & Black Taurus to win the vacant PWG World Tag Team Championship.

Other media

Budgen, as Aleister Black made his video game debut as downloadable content in ''WWE 2K18'', and has since appeared in ''WWE 2K19'' and ''WWE 2K20''.

Personal life

On 23 November, 2018, Budgen married American fellow wrestler Thea Trinidad, who is best known as Zelina Vega (also Queen Zelina). The couple resides in Tampa, Florida.

Budgen has an extensive background in martial arts, having trained in kickboxing, pencak silat, and muay thai, all of which he would incorporate in his wrestling style.

Championships and accomplishments

*Adriatic Special Combat Academy
**Super 8 Cup II (2013)
*Catch Wrestling Norddeutschland
**CWN Mittelgewichtsmeisterschaft (1 time)
*Fiend Wrestling Germany
** FWG Lightweight Championship (1 time)
** FWG Lightweight Title Tournament (2009)
*Fight Club: PRO
** FCP Championship (1 time)
*Freestyle Championship Wrestling
** FCW Deutschland Lightweight Championship (1 time)
*Insane Championship Wrestling
** ICW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Dante
** ICW "Match of the Year" Bammy Award (2015) –
*International Catch Wrestling Alliance
** ICWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
** ICWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
**ICWA European Tag Team Championship/NWA European Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Dante
* Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
** PWG World Tag Team Championship ( 1 time, current) – with Brody King
*Pro Wrestling Holland
** PWH Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Dante
*''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''
**Ranked No. 23 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2020
*Pro Wrestling Showdown
** PWS Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Progress Wrestling
** Progress Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Dante
** Super Strong Style 16 (2016)
*Southside Wrestling Entertainment
** SWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Michael Dante
*Westside Xtreme Wrestling
**wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship (1 time)
** wXw World Lightweight Championship (2 times)
** wXw World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Michael Dante
** wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament (2013, 2015)
** Chase The Mahamla (2011)
** World Lightweight Tournament (2006)
* WWE
** NXT Championship ( 1 time)
** NXT Year-End Award (3 times)
*** Male Competitor of the Year (2017)
*** Breakout Star of the Year (2017)
*** Rivalry of the Year (2017) –
** Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2019) – with Ricochet

References

External links

*
*
*
*
*
*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Black, Malakai
1985 births
All Elite Wrestling personnel
Dutch atheists
Dutch expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Dutch male professional wrestlers
Expatriate professional wrestlers
Living people
NXT Champions
Sportspeople from Alkmaar
Twitch (service) streamers
Dutch male kickboxers
Dutch Muay Thai practitioners
21st-century professional wrestlers
PWG World Tag Team Champions
The House of Black members
PROGRESS Tag Team Champions