The first episode of Friday Night SmackDown in 2026 set a violent tone for the new year, featuring a brutal Ambulance Match that saw two of the brand’s darkest characters collide. Aleister Black and Damian Priest, who had been in a bitter rivalry for months, sought to settle their score once and for all on the January 2 broadcast. The “Archer of Infamy” ultimately emerged victorious, closing the doors of the ambulance on Black to secure the win.
Since that night, Black has notably been absent from WWE television, leading to speculation regarding his status. Now, a new report has shed light on the physical toll the match took on the former NXT Champion. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Daily Update, Aleister Black sustained a legitimate injury during the encounter.
Meltzer reported that Black suffered a broken tailbone at some point during the physically demanding bout. The match itself was filled with hard-hitting spots and weapon usage typical of the stipulation. Broken tailbones are notoriously painful and can make basic movement difficult, often requiring rest as the primary method of recovery.
However, the report offered a silver lining for fans concerned about a long-term absence. Meltzer described the injury as “minor” in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps more importantly, the report clarified that Black’s disappearance from television was not a frantic rewrite caused by the injury.
Instead, his time away was the plan all along. “Reportedly, the former United States Champion was slated to take some time off, irrespective of the injury he suffered,” the report stated. With the rivalry now seemingly put to bed, the focus shifts to when Black might return and what lies ahead for Damian Priest.
We wish Black a speedy recovery.
