Malakai Black’s parents have always supported him in achieving his athletic dreams.
The past few months have come with plenty of speculation about former AEW World Trios Champion Malakai Black.
Highlights
- An update on the possibility of departing AEW star Malakai Blak participating in the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 has emerged.
- His grandfather used to tell him stories of black magic, which he encountered in Malaysia.
- Malakai Black tied the knot with WWE star Zelina Vega in 2018.
Rumors circulated that he had left or was leaving the company.
The creative surrounding his House of Black faction heavily implied that Black is no longer a member. Now, according to PWInsider, he is officially done with AEW.
PWI reported Thursday, January 23, 2025, that in their Elite section, AEW sources indicated Black has finished up with the promotion, and there have been no discussions in a final appearance.
For those wondering if a WWE return is in the works, PWI noted Black will not be a free agent in time to compete in next week’s Royal Rumble event but is said to be available sometime in February or March.
Black is a former NXT Champion and Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winner. His time on WWE’s main roster was cut short when he was released in 2021.
He initially sparked rumors of his departure following an emotional display with Adam Cole following a match between the two Black’s 15th AEW singles match, and only his 3rd singles loss since joining the company a few weeks after his WWE release.
The uncharacteristically sincere display between the wrestlers had many curious about Black’s status.
Despite his protestations, news eventually came out that his contract, initially believed to expire in 2027, was expiring this year and that he was leaving.
Malakai Black Has Always Been Private Regarding His Parents
AEW star Tom Budgen, aka Malakai Black, 36, was born to his Dutch parents on May 19, 1985, in Alkmaar, Netherlands.
Black has managed to keep his parents from the media. During one of the interviews, he discussed his harsh childhood upbringing.
He was raised in a supernatural religion centered around punishment and seeking individual redemption that would ultimately grant one a peaceful afterlife. In that sense, it doesn’t sound too far off from extreme Catholicism.
He said that the religion his family raised him in had a minimal following of only about 100,000 people.
During an interview with CBS Sports, he said his fascination with supernatural beliefs was further shaped by his grandfather, who supposedly had his own experiences with the dark arts.
He said his maternal grandfather, whose identity has not been revealed, was a devout Roman Catholic sent to Malaysia when he was 17.
Black relayed the story of acts of black magic his grandfather allegedly witnessed in a Malaysian Village. He said,
“That was also something that had a great influence on me because my grandfather would tell me incredible stories about — and this might sound bizarre — but he would tell me stories about things that he witnessed with black magic in Malaysia,”
Malakai Black
Although his parents have avoided the spotlight, they are glad to see their son reaching the heights of professional wrestling.
Malakai Black Is Living With His Wife, Zelina Vega
AEW star Malakai Black married WWE star Zelina Vega in November 2018. Their wedding was an intimate affair.
Only a few photos have circulated from the event, with a small group of friends and family invited.
However, Zelina and Malakai have been private about their relationship. They have not been blessed with any children yet.
One fun fact about Black and Zelina is that they have never appeared on-screen as a couple despite being married. Instead, they were storyline rivals during their time in NXT.
In 2018, Vega started appearing as a manager for Andrade and helped him become NXT Champion. During this time, the star feuded with Vega’s real-life husband, Malakai Black.
Additionally, Zelina and Black made the news in 2020 after getting tattoos together, with the latter positing several photos highlighting hers on Instagram.
Additional Information
- Malakai Black has an estimated net worth of around $2 million as of 2025.
- He has an extensive background in martial arts, having trained in kickboxing, pencak silat, and muay Thai, all of which he would later incorporate into his wrestling style.
- Under the ring name Tommy End, Black wrestled extensively on the European independent circuit, starting with his debut on June 18, 2002.
