Malakai Black paid $5,000 out of his own pocket for a replacement flight to make PROGRESS Wrestling’s Odyssey Tour show, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Black beat Cara Noir at the O2 Ritz in Manchester on September 6 to win the PROGRESS World Championship. The report stated that Black hit travel problems on the way to England and covered the alternate flight himself rather than telling PROGRESS management beforehand. He mentioned it to the crowd during his post-match promo.
Black also learned 45 minutes before the match that Andy Williams, who wrestled as The Butcher in AEW, had died. Williams was a friend of Black’s.
PROGRESS described Black as “a dream to work with” and praised his professionalism and his match under the circumstances.
Black defends the title at PROGRESS’ When September Ends event in Camden, London later this month.
