Black captures major gold months after leaving WWE
Summary
– Malakai Black defeated Cara Noir to become PROGRESS Men’s World Champion
– The victory gives Black his first championship since leaving WWE in April
– Black returned to the ring in August before quickly moving into the PROGRESS title picture
Malakai Black has wasted little time making an impact following his return to independent wrestling, capturing the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship just months after leaving WWE.
Black defeated Cara Noir at PROGRESS Wrestling’s September 6 event to win the championship. The victory gives Black his first title since his WWE departure in April and immediately establishes him at the top of the PROGRESS roster.
His return to competition began on August 22 at his Dark Arts Gym, where Black faced J. Villa and picked up the victory. That appearance marked his first match following his WWE exit and came earlier than many fans had expected.
PROGRESS had previously announced a Match against Donovan Dijak for September 4 in Edinburgh, which had initially been billed as his return to the ring. Instead, Black quietly got back into action at Dark Arts Gym before continuing his independent schedule.
Capturing the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship represents a significant step forward, only weeks into his return. Rather than simply taking occasional independent bookings, Black now begins the next stage of his career as a world champion.
Black left WWE in April with his future uncertain, but his direction has quickly become clearer. Less than five months later, he is competing regularly again and has already added another championship to his career.
AND NEW!!
MALAKAI BLACK HAS WON THE PROGRESS MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!#ProgressWrestling pic.twitter.com/wQkAmKZgOz
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) September 6, 2026
