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By Andrew RavensShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAleister Black recently revealed that there were backstage discussions in WWE about him being Randy Orton’s surprise opponent at 'WrestleMania 41', a role that ultimately went to TNA World Champion Joe Hendry. Black’s return was being teased on WWE programming for weeks leading up to the event, leading some WWE fans to speculate that he would answer Orton’s open challenge on 'The Grandest Stage of Them All'. Black would instead make his return on the first SmackDown after 'WrestleMania'.
During an interview with WrestleRant, Black explained that the idea of him being Orton’s opponent was quickly counter-argued by creative executives. The former AEW star explained that the reason the plan was abandoned was the company's reluctance to have him lose his first match back after such a long hiatus. Orton defeated Joe Hendry at 'WrestleMania 41'.
The match with Orton was a high-profile spot, but it was generally accepted that Orton, celebrating his 20th WrestleMania anniversary, was not going to lose.
“They were toying with a bunch of ideas. I know at one point there was a conversation about ‘Maybe he’s coming back to wrestle Randy Orton at WrestleMania’, and that was an actual thing that was discussed”.
“It was counter-argued quickly because they said, ‘Well, we don’t want him to lose coming back at WrestleMania. That doesn’t make any sense.’ So it was just one of those, ‘Oh, maybe we can do that. No, because so and so.’"
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Black expressed gratitude that WWE management chose to give his return the proper attention. He felt the decision to delay his appearance was done to make the moment specifically about his comeback and not about another star's moment.
“They felt that they wanted to give it the right attention, and they wanted it to be, specifically about me, which I’m very grateful for,” Black said.
Black made his official return to WWE on the April 25 edition of SmackDown in Fort Worth, Texas. He immediately made an impact by attacking The Miz, who was complaining about being left off the 'WrestleMania' card in favor of last-minute replacements like Joe Hendry. Black wiped out The Miz with his signature Black Mass kick.
More WWE News:
- Former WWE Champion is Preparing for In-Ring Return
- Ringside Tickets for WWE PLE Reach Shocking Price
- AJ Lee Calls Out WWE Fan for Bizarre AI Video
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