What Happened to Tom Büdgen?

Tom Büdgen, a Dutch professional wrestler, began his career on the independent circuit under the name Tommy End, gaining significant recognition across Europe, the United States, and Japan before signing with WWE in 2016. Debuting in NXT as Aleister Black, he quickly rose to prominence, capturing the NXT Championship once and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Ricochet. His enigmatic persona and striking ability made him a fan favorite, but his transition to WWE's main roster saw sporadic appearances and inconsistent booking, eventually leading to his release in June 2021.

Following his WWE departure, Büdgen made a shocking debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in July 2021, adopting the new ring name Malakai Black. He quickly established himself as a dominant force, forming the popular faction 'House of Black' alongside Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart. Under his leadership, the House of Black captured the AEW World Trios Championship in March 2023, holding the titles for 175 days. Throughout his AEW tenure, there were recurring rumors about his contract status and potential dissatisfaction, with reports in late 2024 suggesting his deal would expire in early 2025, despite earlier claims of a longer contract. His last match in AEW was at Full Gear 2024, and his contract officially expired around February 2025, leading to his departure and the renaming of his former faction to 'Hounds of Hell'.

The speculation surrounding his return to WWE intensified after his AEW exit, with many believing he would thrive under Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's creative direction, a stark contrast to his previous main roster experience under Vince McMahon. These predictions proved accurate when Büdgen, once again as Aleister Black, made his highly anticipated return to WWE on the April 25, 2025, episode of SmackDown. He immediately re-established his presence, attacking The Miz and becoming a member of the SmackDown roster.

Throughout the remainder of 2025 and into early 2026, Black was a consistent fixture on WWE television. He engaged in a notable feud with Damian Priest, defeating him in a Last Man Standing match in October 2025, though he later lost an Ambulance match to Priest in January 2026, concluding their rivalry. In March 2026, Black clarified that his extensive tattoos, previously rumored to be an impediment, were no longer an issue for competing in Saudi Arabia, after he was brought to the country for Royal Rumble 2026 but did not compete. He continued to be regularly featured on television, including feuds with Randy Orton and segments with Sami Zayn and Matt Cardona.

However, as of April 25, 2026, reports emerged indicating that Aleister Black is believed to have departed WWE as part of a recent wave of roster cuts. His last televised match was in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 17, 2026, episode of SmackDown. While WWE has not officially confirmed his departure, multiple wrestling news outlets reported on his exit, often alongside news of his real-life wife, Zelina Vega, also reportedly leaving the company. This marks his second departure from WWE, leaving his immediate future in professional wrestling uncertain once again.