Aleister Black has firmly rejected rumors suggesting his tattoos were the reason he did not participate in the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The SmackDown performer’s noticeable absence sparked speculation among fans that the imagery on his body, which includes demonic figures, may have conflicted with the strict cultural and religious guidelines imposed in Saudi Arabia.
In an interview with The Stunner, Black clarified that although there had been initial concerns about his tattooed appearance when WWE first began performing events in Saudi Arabia starting in 2021, those issues no longer influenced booking decisions. He emphasized that his exclusion from the Royal Rumble was related to storyline developments involving Randy Orton rather than any cultural restrictions tied to his tattoos.
Storyline Decisions Drove Aleister Black’s Royal Rumble Non-Appearance
Black explained the decision to hold him out of the 2026 Royal Rumble was a creative choice aimed at protecting the impact of an evolving narrative between himself and Randy Orton. He expressed that debuting their storyline within the chaotic environment of the Royal Rumble match could have lessened its significance.
No, that is not true. I was supposed to be in the Royal Rumble, but then they were going to start myself and Randy, and I felt like if we are going to do that story and start in the Royal Rumble, it is just going to get snowed under. We do not want it to just go to waste for them to just be two guys that are like being dumped out. Why do we not save it for the weeks to come?
?Aleister Black, WWE SmackDown Star
This approach allowed the storyline to build more organically on SmackDown, ultimately gaining greater attention and engagement from viewers rather than being diluted in a single crowded event.
Past Concerns About Tattoos in Saudi Arabia Were Resolved
Black acknowledged that when WWE initially started holding live shows in Saudi Arabia, there were discussions about how his tattoos might be received. At that time, uncertainty about the cultural sensitivity of his appearance prompted conversations with WWE management, including Vince McMahon.
The initial setup of Saudi Arabia, my tattoos did come into question. That is absolute fact. In the initial setting, it was definitely like, ‘Well, we do not know how they are going to respond.’ I am talking five years ago when it all first started. That was a conversation I had with Vince. But that is no longer the case. The last time I was in the ring there, even though the segment was small, I was still presented on TV and my arms were exposed. The side of my head is always exposed. You could still see a lot of my tattoos.
?Aleister Black, WWE SmackDown Star
He reassured fans that his tattoos no longer pose a barrier for appearing in Saudi events, referencing his most recent match in the country where much of his tattooed skin was visible on television.
Successful Storyline Development Boosted by Strategic Timing
Reflecting on the decision to delay the start of his feud with Randy Orton to after the Royal Rumble, Black praised how the story gained momentum on SmackDown, reaching millions of views and widespread popularity among viewers.
No, that was not the reason why. It was a very smart decision because looking back at what me and Randy did, it got its own life on Smackdown in the main event. Millions and millions of views. I do not know if it would have been able to exist in that way if we would have done it at the Royal Rumble. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify. It is good to know that fans care.
?Aleister Black, WWE SmackDown Star
This strategic storytelling choice highlights how WWE balances creative plans with event scheduling to maximize impact and fan engagement.
Implications for Aleister Black’s WWE Role and Future Events
By addressing and dispelling misconceptions about his absence from the Royal Rumble, Aleister Black restores clarity regarding WWE’s plans for his character. The emphasis on storyline-driven decisions over cultural restrictions suggests he remains a key figure in ongoing narratives.
This explanation also signals that WWE continues to navigate cultural sensitivities carefully while prioritizing narrative coherence. Fans can expect Aleister Black to feature prominently in future WWE programming, with his evolving feud against Randy Orton likely to remain a central focus on SmackDown.
