Tommy End made his AEW debut on this week’s episode of Dynamite Roader Rager in front of a live raucous crowd in Miami, Florida. Tommy End is officially “All Elite”
The lights went out momentarily during the Cody Rhodes vs. QT Marshall South Beach Strap Match. The arena would go dark once again during Tony Schiavone’s in-ring interview with Arn Anderson and when the lights came back the artist formerly known as Aleister Black appeared to greet the former Horseman.
HOLY S**T … Malakai Black ( @TommyEnd) has arrived in @AEW!
Tune into #AEWDynamite NOW on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/CgU959OPkI
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) July 8, 2021
Tommy nailed Arn Anderson with his signature Black Mass Kick and Cody would meet the same fate when he came to the aid of his mentor and coach. As End stood over Cody and Arn, Excalibur stated “that wasn’t Tommy End, it was Malakai Black.”
A cryptic video was posted earlier in the day on End’s Instagram account introducing the Malakai character with the tagline “The Devil Made Me Do It.”
Rumors began swirling after the video was released that Black had signed or was close to signing with AEW and that he would be making his debut for the company soon. But how was he able to appear for AEW so soon?
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Black had a 30-day no compete clause compared to the normal 90-day one found in most talent contracts, thus allowing him to appear on the show.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider also reported that due to a clerical error made by WWE, Black’s NXT contract was never switched over to a 90-day non compete when he was moved to the main roster. In the end, no pun intended, End was free and clear to make his debut on the first road episode of AEW Dynamite since the pandemic.
