Published: Mar 6, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor
Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.
WWE
Aleister Black has addressed rumors about canceled plans, providing clarification on his Royal Rumble appearance being scrapped.
It was previously reported that Aleister Black was originally planned to make his return in the men’s Royal Rumble match, with WWE ultimately opting to “bring him back in a different way on SmackDown programming.”
Speaking with Rob Pasbani for The Stunner, Aleister Black addressed these plans, discussing the decision to save his return for SmackDown.
When asked if there was any truth to the rumors that his Royal Rumble appearance had been canceled due to his tattoos being viewed as offensive, Black said:
“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?”
Noting that he did previously have conversations with Vince McMahon about his tattoos, but has since appeared for WWE in Saudi Arabia with his tattoos visible, Aleister Black continued:
“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.
“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.”
Black ultimately returned to the ring in an Elimination Chamber qualifier against Randy Orton and Solo Sikoa on the February 6 SmackDown episode, ahead of facing Orton in the main event of the February 20 show.
Aleister Black recently addressed a potential rivalry with Randy Orton, click here to read more.
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