Malakai Black is heading back to familiar territory as he prepares for his first independent wrestling appearances since leaving WWE.

PROGRESS Wrestling confirmed that Black, who competed in WWE as Aleister Black, will be part of its upcoming Odyssey Tour, with appearances scheduled for Edinburgh, Leeds and Manchester.

The dates will represent Black's return to the independent circuit following his WWE departure earlier this year. PROGRESS made a major splash with the announcement, billing the former WWE star as one of professional wrestling's biggest names.

For longtime PROGRESS fans, Black's return carries plenty of history. Before becoming known internationally through WWE and AEW, he competed for the promotion under his Tommy End name.

During that chapter of his career, Black captured the PROGRESS Tag Team Championship alongside Michael Dante. He also added one of the promotion's most notable tournament victories to his résumé by winning the Super Strong Style 16.

Malakai Black Free to Wrestle Following WWE Departure

Black and his wife Zelina Vega were released by WWE in April 2026. With Black's 90-day non-compete period now over, he is free to accept bookings and begin exploring the next stage of his wrestling career.

He has already hinted that fans could see something different from him moving forward. Following his WWE exit, Black surfaced on social media sporting a dramatically altered appearance, including a shaved head.

His PROGRESS comeback now provides the first major indication of where his post-WWE career is heading.

Black will compete as part of the Odyssey Tour when PROGRESS visits the Edinburgh Corn Exchange, O2 Academy Leeds and O2 Ritz Manchester.

For Black, it is both a fresh start and a return to a promotion that played an important part in establishing his reputation before his rise on the international stage.

What do you want to see from Malakai Black now that he is back on the independent scene? Let us know and leave a comment in our new comment section!