Aleister Black: The Devil On His Back Is Now A Symbol Of Hope

Aleister Black once said that not having the WWE NXT Championship was the devil on his back. Now that he’s defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas for his first title in the WWE, what was once the devil on Black’s back is a symbol of hope for millions of fans who suffer from anxiety and depression.

There’s something about Aleister Black that makes fans gravitate towards him.

He’s quiet.

He lets his work in the ring do the talking.

He’s fast.

He can take a competitor’s head off in mere seconds if they let their guard down, and nobody wins one they’ve been hit with the Black Mass.

He’s honorable.

He never picks a fight for no reason, and he said the Velveteen Dream’s name after the younger competitor earned his respect in defeat.

When Black’s music hits and the arena darkens, the energy is palpable. Every stride he takes and every scowl he makes are focused on tightly by the audience. Black is universally respected by the NXT Universe, because the fans understand just how much work he’s put in to get to this point. They see how fantastic his matches with Dream, Almas, and others have been, which makes them even more excited to see what he can do as NXT Champion, especially if he does get to face a returning Drew McIntyre in the near future.

What the fans may not know, however, is the battle Black struggles through every day and the validation that winning the NXT Championship provided him. He revealed his feelings in an Instagram post after winning the title, and his words resonated with so many people. I received multiple messages from fans who were struck by his comments, and when I read through them, I couldn’t help but feel an emotional connection with Black, too.

"“This business means so much more than most people understand. It isn’t something that I wanted to do as a hobby; I wanted this like nothing else in my life, nothing mattered but this, accomplishing this. And each and every year I told myself, it isn’t going to get any better than this and then each year for nearly 16 years long it did. And here we are. Despite the long road, despite the anxiety, which can be crippling at times, despite the not always fun states of minds that I have, I am here. And the good thing is.. I feel I am far from done. This one wasn’t just for myself, as cliche as that might sound. This one was truly for each and every person who thinks their situation or mental health is too severe to ever accomplish anything. I ask you please to proof the world, but mainly yourself, wrong and do what you wanna do.”"

The above is an excerpt from Black’s Instagram post, which is one of the heartfelt messages from a wrestler to the fanbase that I have ever read. Please read it.

I can’t imagine how much pressure Black put on himself to rise up the ranks in NXT and capture the title. I also can’t imagine how much pressure he put on himself to have the best match possible against Almas. The two delivered with both high-paced in-ring action, insane athletic feats (check out the moonsaults!), and a tightly-weaved story that featured one of the most poetic finishes of the year when Zelina Vega’s meddling caused Almas’s downfall to the more patient and stoic Black.

Many of us know what it’s like to have suffered from depression at one point in our lives, and many of us are still suffering from this ongoing battle. Black’s ability to achieve his goals despite this struggle has made him a beacon of hope for many, and his message is an empowering one for those who feel worried that they may be fighting a losing battle.

You aren’t. You can prove the disease wrong and you can prove others wrong by doing whatever it is that you want to do. Black is an example that this isn’t just a fantasy. It’s a possibility.

Next: Could Sasha Banks Or Bayley Move To SmackDown Live?

It’s incredible how many wrestlers are willing to use their platforms as a way to help fans. Wrestling is an escape for many of us, but the performers themselves can be examples of overcoming obstacles that appear in our own lives, whether it be discrimination, bullying, or, in Black’s case, mental health.

I can’t wait to see how Black’s reign as NXT Champion unfolds, and I’ll bet there are thousands upon thousands of NXT fans watching intently to see what the skilled striker has in store.