Aleister Black Comments On Wrestling Future Following WWE Return

Aleister Black has commented on his wrestling future and potential retirement following his WWE return on SmackDown.

Following his AEW departure back in February, many had speculated that Aleister Black would be on his way back to WWE, with vignettes for his return eventually beginning to air on SmackDown the following month.

Last week, the videos featured the date of April 25, with Black’s return officially set for last night’s episode of SmackDown.

On the show, Black reappeared during a promo with The Miz on the show, entering with a remixed version of his original NXT theme song, before dropping Miz with a Black Mass.

With Black now 39 years old, and him suffering a number of injuries during his time in AEW, he has now opened up on how much longer he plans on wrestling.

During a special video released by Josiah Williams, Black commented on his wrestling future, noting that he hopes to have another 5 to 8 years left in his career.

He said:

“I’m 39. I hope that I have another five to eight years left in me. Physically, I feel great. I think this is the best I’ve looked physically as well. Technology changes, nutrition changes, science changes, sports science changes. You see athletes getting older and older and being able to perform at higher levels, even when they’re old. I definitely feel I’m part of that in certain aspects, but I have no illusions about this that the majority of my career is well past me, absolutely.

“That’s not a sad thing, that’s a good thing. Being able to survive for this long and staying relevant, I’d say that’s something I’m definitely proud of. Dedicated fanbase, we’re still doing good despite setback after setback after all the things that have happened, they’re all still there and it’s heartwarming to feel that a lot of people are still rooting for me. That’s something I think I lost sight of. You dive down into that darkness you feel and that misery you cling onto, especially when that’s what you’re used to your entire life.

“Going back to that first emotion you’re familiar of; everything is bad, everything will be falling down anyway. It doesn’t matter. To have that control is life-changing and that mechanism is the best thing I’ve learned over the last year. This is absolutely a part of me that has accepted, at age 39, I have five to eight years left, and I’m okay with that.”

Black’s return match is set to take place on next week’s SmackDown show, when he will face off against The Miz.

transcription via Fightful