Aleister Black was initially scheduled to participate in this year’s WWE Royal Rumble match held in Saudi Arabia, but he ultimately did not appear. Despite traveling to the event, he was removed from WWE’s creative plans involving the match. The situation raised questions about possible causes, including concerns over Black’s tattoos, which have historically posed issues for wrestling in more conservative regions. However, Black dispelled such assumptions during a conversation with Rob Pasbani of The Stunner.
Black, 40, revealed that the actual reasoning for his absence was linked to WWE’s intention to launch a rivalry between him and Randy Orton. He felt that initiating their story during the Royal Rumble would not give the feud the attention it deserved because the match’s chaotic nature might overshadow it. Rather than using the Rumble to start the conflict, Black believed postponing it would allow it to develop more meaningfully in subsequent WWE programming.
“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 via The Stunner
This decision led to the Orton-Black rivalry beginning a week later on SmackDown instead of during the Royal Rumble event. Black also addressed the speculation about his tattoos being a factor in his Saudi Arabia appearance.
Clarifying Tattoo Concerns and WWE’s Saudi Arabia Tours
Previously, Vince McMahon had told Black that WWE was uncertain how local authorities in Saudi Arabia would react to his extensive body tattoos, which had prevented him from wrestling there in the past. However, Black confirmed that this obstacle has since been resolved, as he successfully appeared during WWE’s Riyadh tour in June 2025 without any problems.
Looking back, Black considers the choice to delay the confrontation with Randy Orton a smart one. Their rivalry was given more prominence on SmackDown, culminating in a singles main event where Black scored a surprise pinfall victory over Orton after interference from Drew McIntyre. Black expressed satisfaction that this sequence attracted more attention than an elimination in the Royal Rumble probably would have.
Future Prospects for a Rivalry Between Black and Orton
In a recent Forbes interview, Aleister Black discussed the potential for a fully developed feud with Randy Orton following their recent match. He described their encounter as just the “first chapter” in what he hopes will expand into a longer narrative. Although he acknowledged that WWE storylines can change rapidly, the positive fan response to their bout bodes well for continuing the rivalry.
Black highlighted how the contrast in their wrestling styles captivated viewers, enhancing the match’s appeal. During the same interview with Rob Pasbani, Black reflected on his return to WWE, calling his first year back “a massive success.” He noted that he has been busier than before, wrestling more frequently and finding greater variety in his work.
“This was the first button of what should be a lot more. Obviously, you never know, because the things in our industry change so quickly.” Aleister Black via WrestleTalk
“First and foremost, I consider it a massive success. A lot more work, a lot more things that I have done inside the ring and outside the ring. I like being busy; once I feel like I am not busy, I…” Aleister Black via WrestlePurists
Black has been involved in significant storylines throughout the past year, including a notable feud with Damian Priest on SmackDown where he headlined multiple episodes. While he agrees there is always room for improvement, Black believes his current momentum is promising, even if he had been immediately placed at WWE’s top tier upon his return.
Exploring New Dimensions of Aleister Black’s Character
Aleister Black described his past year in WWE as both productive and diverse, beginning with a short feud against The Miz. He also expressed interest in reviving a darker persona he once introduced—the Dark Father gimmick—which was cut short when he was released from WWE shortly after its debut in 2021. Lately, Black has shown signs of drawing out a more brutal side of Randy Orton during their interactions, adding depth to their rivalry.
Orton recently warned Black that he would come after him following the Elimination Chamber event. However, with Orton set to headline WrestleMania alongside Cody Rhodes, the exact role Black will play in this ongoing storyline remains unclear. His involvement in the evolving saga between Orton and Rhodes could introduce new twists to the WWE narrative.
Aleister Black Clarifies Tattoos Did Not Keep Him From Appearing In WWE Royal Rumble https://t.co/LH4WrgY2EE
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) March 6, 2026
Aleister Black on a potential WWE feud with Randy Orton following their recent SmackDown match:
"This was the first button of what should be a lot more. Obviously, you never know, because the things in our industry change so quickly.
"But with that reaction, and with the… pic.twitter.com/ftvg22yLaV
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) March 4, 2026
Aleister Black says he considers his first year back in WWE a massive success:
“First and foremost, I consider it a massive success. A lot more work, a lot more things that I have done inside the ring and outside the ring. I like being busy; once I feel like I am not busy, I… pic.twitter.com/cabIzAtcke
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) March 6, 2026
