Malakai Black is officially getting back in the ring, and his first match since leaving WWE is now locked in.
PROGRESS Wrestling announced that Black, formerly known as Aleister Black in WWE, will wrestle Donovan Dijak on September 4 in Edinburgh. The match will mark Black’s first time competing since his WWE release in April 2026. PROGRESS made the matchup official while billing it as the first time Black and Dijak will face each other in Europe.
“Edinburgh Match Announcement — Malakai Black vs Dijak. First Time Ever Match In Europe.”
The promotion also played up the size and style difference between the two, with the 6-foot-7 Dijak going up against Black’s striking and martial arts background.
“Malakai Black has his first opponent and it’s a familiar face. Two of the biggest names in professional wrestling worldwide collide in Edinburgh! Dijak, the 6-foot-7 behemoth from Massachusetts, USA, takes on the incredible martial artist from Amsterdam, Netherlands — Malakai Black.”
Black had already been announced for PROGRESS Wrestling’s Odyssey Tour in September, but until now, fans didn’t know who would be standing across the ring from him when he finally returned to action.
The match also comes as Black begins his next chapter outside WWE. He has already gone back to using the Malakai Black name and previously surfaced in a cinematic video following his release, showing off a shaved head and MMA-style training while declaring, “I am the death of me.”
Now the videos and teases are over. Malakai Black is getting back between the ropes, and Dijak will be the first man waiting for him.
What do you think about Donovan Dijak being Malakai Black’s first opponent since leaving WWE? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
