In a recent episode of AEW’s FTR promo, Malakai Black made a surprising name drop that has fans buzzing. During the segment, Black referenced former WWE superstar CM Punk, hinting at a potential collision between the two in the future.
The moment came during Black’s mind games with his opponent, Cesaro (formerly known as Claudio Castagnoli in the independent circuit). As Black taunted Cesaro, he mentioned how he had already defeated “the best in the world” (a nickname often associated with CM Punk) and that Cesaro would be no different.
This name drop has sparked speculation among fans about a potential match between Black and Punk in AEW. Punk, who has been retired from in-ring competition since 2014, has been heavily rumored to be considering a return to the ring in AEW. And with Black’s recent mention of him, it seems like a dream match between the two could become a reality.
But this isn’t the first time Black has used mind games to get under his opponent’s skin. In fact, it has become a trademark of his character in AEW. He has a knack for getting into his opponent’s head and using psychological warfare to gain an advantage in the ring.
This was evident in his match against Cody Rhodes at AEW’s All Out pay-per-view in 2022. Black, then known as Aleister Black, had been targeting Rhodes for weeks leading up to the match, leaving cryptic messages and symbols for him to decipher. This ultimately led to Black defeating Rhodes in a brutal match, solidifying himself as a force to be reckoned with in AEW.
And now, with his mention of CM Punk, Black is continuing to play mind games with his opponents. Whether or not a match between the two will actually happen remains to be seen, but Black’s name drop has certainly added fuel to the fire.
Some fans have also pointed out that Black’s mention of Punk could be seen as a subtle jab at Cesaro. In the past, Cesaro has been vocal about his desire to face Punk in the ring, but it never happened during their time in WWE. By mentioning Punk in his promo, Black may be implying that he is now the one who will face off against the former WWE Champion.
But regardless of the intentions behind Black’s name drop, it has certainly created buzz and excitement among fans. A potential match between Black and Punk would be a dream come true for many wrestling fans, and with AEW’s track record of delivering on fan requests, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Only time will tell if this name drop will lead to an actual match between Malakai Black and CM Punk. But for now, fans can continue to speculate and anticipate the collision of these two talented wrestlers in the future.
