Aleister Black might be in Saudi Arabia for WWEs Royal Rumble, but dont expect him to step into the ring tonight.
According to PWInsider, Black is not slated to appear in the Mens Royal Rumble match. Even though he made the trip overseas, WWE officials decided to delay his in-ring return and instead reintroduce him on SmackDown in the coming weeks.
Blacks last appearance came on the January 2 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, where he faced off against Damian Priest in a brutal Ambulance Match. The bout ended with Priest hurling Black off the ambulance roof through a table, then locking him inside the vehicle for the win. That match was part of a storyline exit to temporarily write him off TV.
Since that moment, Black hasnt been seen on WWE programmingbut now we know it was by design. WWE reportedly wants his return to be part of a bigger storyline arc, rather than just a one-off Rumble spot.
Its a move that will definitely keep fans guessing. But with Black confirmed to be backstage at the Royal Rumble venue, theres always that tiny chance WWE swerves the audience even if the plan right now is to hold him back.
Would you rather see Aleister Black return during the Royal Rumble for a pop, or save it for a bigger SmackDown moment? Let us know your take in the comments.
