The future of AEW's House of Black stable isn't entirely certain right now, as the group's leader, Malakai Black, reportedly received his release from the company, according to Fightful Select. While no current WWE superstars are likely to end up in AEW any time soon, it is still fun to look at which names could potentially fit in the faction.
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With Black now absent, there is a gaping hole left in the foundations of the stable, especially since it is named after him. This may just be fantasy booking, and it is certainly subjective, but there are certain wrestlers in WWE who would work well within the House of Black.
There are very obvious parallels to be drawn between WWE's Judgment Day and AEW's House of Black. To say members on both sides would fit with one another sounds like an easy choice, but it is certainly true that it would work.
In the case of Priest, he plays a brooding, aggressive, yet calculated performer well, and would provide the explosive nature that the likes of Brody King and Buddy Matthews also possess.
During her heel run in NXT, Iyo Sky developed a vicious and punishing side to her persona, which would work well in the sadistic nature of the House of Black.
Her entrance, with the arena filled with black along with some flashing lights, was a hint of the darker character she has the potential to showcase. Her character seems more grounded now than it was in NXT, though that heel character in developmental is still her best work to date in WWE.
The duo of Karrion Kross and Scarlett has had some new life injected after their returns to WWE, with Triple H committing to their presentation. His entrance sees the color grading turn to black and white, with them talking in wordy monologues.
Whilst this style isn't for everyone, it is something that would fit in well with the House of Black, especially with their desire to rule over AEW and run through anyone in their way, much like Kross in WWE.
The House of Black members all have an added level of aggression and stiff strikes, and someone who fits that bill from an in-ring standpoint is Shayna Baszler. Whilst fans haven't had too much of a chance to see the depth of Baszler's acting props, it is easy to imagine her suiting this sort of faction.
Seeing Baszler kitted up in darker attire and war paint would be terrifying, with the knowledge that she is about to kick the hell out of whoever her opponent is.
In terms of silent muscle, T-Bar would work well in most factions, but he has yet to really be given a chance in any sort of role on WWE's main roster, aside from in the Retribution faction. Although the group was poorly booked, T-Bar played his role well as a more unhinged character.
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With his mixture of size, speed, and strength, he would match the likes of Brody King, and would be a perfect addition, especially when it comes to the workrate and high-intensity that the House of Black's matches have.
The current iteration of Nikki ASH wouldn't work in a group such as the House of Black, but when looking back at her time in NXT as a part of Sanity, she played an unhinged and sadistic character perfectly.
Whilst the House of Black seem a bit more methodical and controlled, they need that extra spice of something different, and a character like the former Nikki Cross would be exactly that.
If Rhea Ripley's work in the Judgment Day faction is anything to go by, then she could even be fit to be the leader of the House of Black. Ripley's performance, conviction, and dominance has proven to be stellar thus far, and with the House of Black having a similar vibe to the Judgment Day, she would undoubtedly be perfect.
Having Julia Hart under her wing would be a very intriguing dynamic, and it would no doubt give Hart the boost she needs to be elevated to the next level, which is something she is currently missing, with her time in the House of Black not being all it promised to be.
Whilst Edge being in the Judgment Day didn't exactly reach expectations, it might have been better had he had more time in the group. Either way, his style of promo within the group is exactly what would work in the House of Black.
Edge would provide some more experience to the stable too, much like he did with the Judgment Day, before they turned on him and kicked him out of the faction.
This may be classed as two entries, but both Ivar and Erik of the Viking Raiders would be great in the House of Black as monster heel powerhouses. On WWE's main roster, the duo have had very little momentum, but in recent months with a heel turn, they have been presented much more strongly than they were previously.
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Donning the House of Black war paint and reverting to their more dominant 'War Machine' days, they would be absolutely perfect for the House of Black.
Although Julia Hart is great in her role, even with her having little to do so far, she hasn't escaped comparisons to Alexa Bliss, who played a similarly dark and spooky role in WWE. The over-the-top and magical character she played in WWE probably wouldn't work as well in AEW, but if she changed that up for something more intense, it would be easy to see her fitting in with the House of Black.
Julia Hart's current character is likely what many in WWE would have preferred to see for Bliss when it came to the long-term direction of her previous gimmick.