'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After more than half a year away, Aleister Black finally returned to WWE on SmackDown. While he was drafted to SmackDown in October, The Dutch Destroyer wasn't utilized.
The release of his real-life wife Thea Trinidad as well as various rumors seemed to suggest Aleister Black would be the next major name leaving WWE.
However, that wasn't the case. Right around the time of the mass release of superstars this year, a rumor emerged via PWInsider suggesting that WWE had begun filming vignettes for Aleister Black's return to SmackDown.
After a month of different promos, Black finally made his return to the blue brand on this week's show.
The main event saw Apollo Crews defend the Intercontinental Championship against three previous holders in Big E, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn.
Big E took the fall as the former NXT Champion interfered and hit him with a Black Mass, allowing Crews to pin him and retain the Intercontinental Title. Big E admittedly seemed like a random target, so here are five reasons why Aleister Black went after him on SmackDown.
#5 To remove Big E from the Intercontinental Title picture and into a feud with Aleister Black
Big E has been in the Intercontinental Championship mix for half a year now. He won the Title from Sami Zayn on the Christmas Special episode of SmackDown and held onto it until WrestleMania 37.
It's a decent amount of time to be a Champion, and Apollo Crews' win at WrestleMania was a clear indicator that WWE plans to move Big E up the ladder.
The New Day member was still in the mix post-WrestleMania, and Aleister Black's interference meant he is officially done with the Intercontinental Championship moving forward.
It's a win-win situation since Kevin Owens vs Apollo Crews seems to be the direction WWE would be taking in terms of the next feud for the title.
#4 To protect Apollo Crews
Aleister Black was the reason why Apollo Crews retained the Intercontinental Championship. While Crews was beginning to get an incredible opportunity on RAW this time last year, his current run is arguably even better.
The big difference between the two is that last year, Apollo Crews was finding his footing in terms of character. Now, Apollo Crews has a more established spot on the roster and an actual direction.
In a way, Aleister Black was used to protecting both Big E and Apollo Crews, helping the latter retain the Intercontinental Championship.
#3 Aleister Black needs a babyface to feud with at Hell in a Cell
Aleister Black turned heel a while before his hiatus last year. It seems as though WWE wants to pick up where they left off, and the vignettes that aired this past month were an indicator that he will continue as a bad guy.
For that, he needs a top babyface to feud with on SmackDown. With several others occupied with some major feuds, Big E makes a lot of sense. The seeds for a pay-per-view match between the two have already been planted with this attack from Aleister Black.
#2 A top-tier secondary feud on SmackDown
The main feuds on SmackDown right now involve Roman Reigns, Cesaro, Seth Rollins, and The Usos. On the Women's side, it's Bayley vs Bianca Belair, while the women's Tag Team title picture tends to recycle itself.
Big E vs Aleister Black is a high-profile non-title rivalry and it's the best one that WWE can use to present as a secondary feud. It seems like a perfect addition to SmackDown especially with the talent involved.
#1 Either Aleister Black or Big E could win the Money in the Bank briefcase this year
This could be the feud that reveals who Mr. Money in the Bank 2021 will be. Big E could be a huge favorite, especially since he has been removed from the IC Title feud and looks to be taking a step up.
We wouldn't be surprised to see this rivalry spill post-Hell in a Cell onto Money in the Bank, but not in a singles match.
It's happened many times before, where feuds have poured onto the Money in the Bank Ladder match, and this could be the perfect set-up for either man to win the coveted briefcase for the very first time.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
