Malakai Black captured Progress’s World Championship this weekend.
During the Progress Odyssey Tour on September 6, 2026 in Manchester, England, Malakai Black defeated Cara Noir in the main event of the show to become the Progress World Champion. This marks his first championship since departing WWE in April 2026.
AND NEW!!
MALAKAI BLACK HAS WON THE PROGRESS MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!#ProgressWrestling pic.twitter.com/wQkAmKZgOz
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) September 6, 2026
Malakai Black is officially back on the independent scene with this victory.
He left WWE in April 2026 without knowing what the future would hold; for now, this is a good start.
An uncertain future
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Moreover, after this victory, Malakai Black confirmed that he still harbors a deep love for professional wrestling. However, he stressed considerable uncertainty.
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He stated that he did not know if his on-screen time on television was over for good. A line that hints he isn’t sure if he might ever return to WWE and AEW, or perhaps begin with another promotion broadcast like TNA.
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One should not forget that Malakai Black’s situation at AEW has long been complicated on the booking side. So this second firing from WWE could come with an end to the aspect of appearing on television shows.
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