Rumor Roundup (Aug. 17, 2026): Malakai Black’s future, LA Knight, Alexa Bliss, El Grande Americano, more!

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 20: Aleister Black makes his entrance during SmackDown at FLA Live Arena on February 20, 2026 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images Let’s get right to the getting on the first work day of the new week. Lead rumor: Malakai Black’s future It was just a few days ago that Malakai Black released a video teasing out the evolution of his character. Then, bam, he’s bald. Then we learned he’ll be working in Progress Wrestling for its upcoming Odyssey Tour, and he’s using the Malakai Black name, the same one he used in AEW. But it’s still unclear if he’s heading back to AEW. That’s the word from Fightful Select, who say they haven’t heard that so far. What they have heard, however, is that Black had some contact with MLW shortly after he was released by WWE. The conversations apparently didn’t get far but they didn’t break down either and the two sides are on good terms. He is now a full fledged free agent who can