Malakai Black

Tom Büdgen is a Dutch professional wrestler known for his dark, occult-inspired persona and hybrid kickboxing style. Performing as Malakai Black in AEW and formerly Aleister Black in WWE, he has built a reputation as one of wrestling's most distinctive characters. He is a former NXT Champion, AEW World Trios Champion, and a multi-time champion on the European independent scene. As of 2026, Büdgen is a free agent after a second release from WWE, with fans eagerly awaiting his next move. His intense, brooding presence and martial arts-infused offense have made him a cult favorite among wrestling fans worldwide.[edit]

Büdgen grew up in Alkmaar, a city in the Netherlands, with his older brother and parents. His German mother and Dutch father ran a small household, and he attended a local school where he was an average student but a passionate athlete. At age 10, a friend lent him a VHS tape of WrestleMania XII, and the moment Shawn Michaels won the WWE Championship, Büdgen was hooked. He started training in kickboxing and Muay Thai as a child, later adding Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which gave him a striking-based wrestling style that would become his trademark.

At 16, he joined Pro Wrestling Holland in Amsterdam, training under Bob van den Berg. He also spent time at the wXw Academy in Germany. He made his professional debut in 2004 at age 19, wrestling as Tommy End on tiny Dutch and German shows. To pay the bills, he worked as a security guard and a bouncer at a nightclub in Amsterdam, where he once met Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. In 2009, he began wrestling regularly for Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany, adopting an occult-themed persona inspired by his interest in mysticism and black metal. He won the wXw World Lightweight Championship in 2012 and the prestigious 16 Carat Gold Tournament in 2013, catching the attention of promoters worldwide.[edit]

In 2016, Büdgen entered the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, losing to Kota Ibushi but impressing scouts. He signed with WWE in early 2017 and debuted on NXT as Aleister Black at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, defeating Andrade. His spooky entrance and devastating Black Mass kick made him an instant star. On April 7, 2018, he won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: New Orleans, holding it for 102 days before dropping it to Tommaso Ciampa. He also won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Ricochet that same year.

Büdgen moved to Raw in 2019, but his main roster run was uneven. After a stint on SmackDown, WWE released him in June 2021 due to budget cuts. He joined AEW a month later as Malakai Black, forming the House of Black with Brody King and Buddy Matthews. The stable won the AEW World Trios Championship at Revolution 2022, holding the titles for 175 days. In 2025, he made a surprise return to WWE at the Royal Rumble, but the company released him again in April 2026. He is currently a free agent.[edit]

Büdgen's public persona is built on darkness and mystery. He wears black leather, uses occult symbols, and during his House of Black run, he wore corpse paint inspired by black metal bands. His in-ring style blends kickboxing, Muay Thai, and technical wrestling, with the Black Mass spinning heel kick as his finisher. Critics call him enigmatic and intense, but note inconsistent booking. His fanbase, sometimes called the Black Mass faithful, mimics his entrance by sitting in silence before exploding when he strikes. On social media, he posts cryptic quotes about mysticism and heavy metal, rarely engaging directly with fans. He is seen as a cult figure rather than a mainstream star.[edit]

Malakai Black stands as a singular figure in the wrestling landscape, a man whose dark aesthetic and martial arts prowess have carved out a specific lane that refuses to fade. Even after his second release from WWE and a shift to independent circuits, his global footprint remains substantial. He is currently the 59th most famous person from Netherlands, a ranking that has held steady through shifting industry tides and reflects his enduring appeal back home. This status places him firmly within the upper echelon of Dutch cultural exports recognized by the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, which tracks global attention across media coverage, search trends, and consumption signals worldwide. His fame is not merely about match wins but the sheer intensity of his character work that resonates far beyond the ring. While he commands a dedicated following, research confirms no formal collective moniker exists for his supporters. Unlike some modern stars who cultivate organized campaigns or fan-funded projects, Malakai's audience operates through organic engagement on social platforms and wrestling forums. Discussions often focus on his credibility, past injuries, and the mythology surrounding his time leading The House of Black. There are no records of birthday billboards or subway ads funded by a specific group named after him. Instead, his fans simply exist as a loyal, albeit unnamed, contingent that mimics his entrance rituals in silence before the chaos erupts. The lack of an official title does not diminish their devotion; it simply highlights a fandom built on shared appreciation for a unique style rather than corporate branding.[edit]

His ring name Aleister Black cleverly merges the notorious occultist Aleister Crowley with the color black, setting the tone for his entire persona. Büdgen holds a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Gracie Barra, grounding his striking in legitimate grappling knowledge. The signature Black Mass spinning heel kick was directly inspired by a move he utilized during his kickboxing days. During his WWE tenure, his entrance theme Roots of Evil featured a haunting Gregorian chant that became instantly recognizable. A large crow tattoo adorns his chest, inked in 2016 to symbolize his dark alter ego. He is a known enthusiast of the video game Elden Ring and has publicly discussed his enjoyment of its world. Although he received offers to join New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he never competed there due to contractual obligations elsewhere. In 2023, scheduling conflicts prevented him from taking a role in the film The Iron Claw. As of May 2026, a new visual chapter began when he debuted fully bald in a vignette, signaling a fresh start on the independent scene. Fans still retell stories of his time in NXT where he was mythologized as the "Dutch Destroyer," a reputation cemented by his feared Black Mass finisher. Recent discourse in 2026 suggests a narrative shift, with some commentators noting a decline in his perceived credibility regarding injury claims, adding a layer of complexity to his modern legacy.[edit]

Büdgen's mother is German and his father is Dutch. He has an older brother whose name he has not publicly shared. He grew up in Alkmaar and later moved to Amsterdam as a teenager. He married fellow wrestler Zelina Vega (Thea Trinidad) in February 2023 after dating since 2018. The couple lives in Orlando, Florida, in a home they purchased in 2019. They have no children as of 2026. Büdgen has described his family as supportive of his wrestling career, though they are private people.[edit]

Ricochet was his tag team partner in NXT, winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Brody King and Buddy Matthews are his stablemates in the House of Black. Chris Hero was a frequent tag partner on the independent circuit. Zelina Vega is his wife and fellow wrestler. Tommaso Ciampa was a major rival in NXT over the NXT Championship. Andrade and Darby Allin are notable opponents.[edit]

Büdgen began dating fellow professional wrestler Thea Trinidad, known as Zelina Vega, in 2018 after meeting through mutual friends in the wrestling industry. They got engaged in late 2022 and married in a private ceremony in February 2023. The couple has no children and lives in Orlando, Florida. No other public relationships have been confirmed before 2018. As of 2026, Büdgen remains married to Vega, and they are considered a stable couple in the wrestling world.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN Editorial Team estimates Malakai Black's net worth at $2 Million. This valuation reflects a career defined by high-profile contracts and distinct brand building. During his years with WWE between 2017 and 2021, he secured an annual salary ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, supplemented by bonuses tied to pay-per-view performances. His subsequent contract with All Elite Wrestling from 2021 to 2025 elevated his earnings significantly. Prior to his major television debut and following his releases, independent bookings generated an estimated total of $100,000 to $200,000. Merchandise royalties from both WWE and AEW, covering items like t-shirts and action figures, contributed approximately $50,000 to $100,000 annually. In 2019, he purchased a home in Orlando, Florida, for $400,000; current market valuations place this asset near $550,000. Social media presence and Twitch streaming activities add minimal income, staying under $10,000 each year. No major external investments or business ventures are currently attributed to him.[edit]

Büdgen has won multiple wrestling championships across major promotions. He captured the NXT Championship once and the AEW World Trios Championship once. On the independent circuit, he won the wXw Unified World Heavyweight Championship, wXw World Lightweight Championship twice, and wXw World Tag Team Championship twice. He also won the Progress Tag Team Championship and Insane Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship. Tournament wins include the wXw 16 Carat Gold Tournament and the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. He was inducted into the wXw Hall of Fame in 2017.[edit]