Aleister Black has pulled back the curtain on one of wrestling’s most intriguing “what-if” scenarios, revealing an ambitious character evolution that never came to fruition during his initial WWE tenure. The Dutch striker recently opened up about his vision for a psychological manipulation-based feud with Cody Rhodes, a narrative thread that was supposed to launch in 2020 before his unexpected release derailed the entire creative direction.
Speaking candidly on The Cody Tucker Show, Black detailed the philosophical framework behind what he termed the “Dark Father” character concept—a persona designed not merely to defeat opponents, but to fundamentally corrupt them and expose their hidden darkness. The revelation provides fascinating insight into the creative ambitions Black harbored during his first WWE run, and the unrealized potential of what could have been one of professional wrestling’s most psychologically complex feuds.
The Corruption Philosophy Behind the “Dark Father” Vision
Black’s creative vision extended far beyond traditional wrestling storytelling. Rather than focusing solely on in-ring victory, his proposed character arc centered on psychological manipulation and moral degradation. The concept reflected Black’s cynical worldview regarding contemporary society and human nature, transforming his wrestling persona into a mirror reflecting the darkness he believed already existed within his opponents.
“I’m a pretty cynical guy nowadays and I see on the internet how human nature is developing in this hateful manner,” Black explained during his appearance. “So now it becomes about people already being corrupted, so now I’m gonna corrupt people more, because now my prerogative becomes kind of like a reflection of how society is.”
This philosophical approach represented a departure from conventional WWE heel work. Rather than simply being a villain who won matches, Black envisioned himself as a catalyst for revealing the worst aspects of his opponents’ characters. The “Dark Father” moniker itself suggested a mentor-like figure guiding wrestlers toward their own moral deterioration—a concept that would have positioned Black as one of WWE’s most intellectually complex antagonists.
According to a WWE insider familiar with the creative discussions, the company was genuinely intrigued by Black’s pitch, recognizing its potential to differentiate him from the standard villain archetype that dominated the mid-card landscape at that time.
Why Cody Rhodes Was the Perfect Target
Black didn’t randomly select Cody Rhodes as the inaugural victim for this character evolution. The choice was deliberate and strategically sound. Rhodes’ status as a top-tier babyface, combined with his connection to WWE’s legacy and his position as a company figurehead, made him the ideal opponent for a storyline centered on corruption and moral compromise.
“The first person I want to do that with was Cody, so I explained the idea, and he was like, ‘No, that’s f***ing great. Let’s do that,'” Black revealed, indicating that Rhodes immediately grasped the creative potential and enthusiastically endorsed the concept.
The proposed narrative would have transcended simple championship ambitions or personal grievances. Instead, it would have positioned Black as systematically dismantling Rhodes’ carefully constructed heroic persona, forcing the American Nightmare into increasingly desperate and morally questionable actions. The feud’s psychological dimension would have centered on whether Rhodes could maintain his principles or whether Black’s influence would push him across ethical lines he’d previously refused to cross.
The Narrative Framework: Making Opponents Do Your Bidding
The mechanics of Black’s proposed feud structure reveal a sophisticated understanding of storytelling psychology. Rather than emphasizing pinfall victories, Black wanted to shift the narrative focus to manipulation and control—making his opponents commit acts that contradicted their established character traits and values.
“Let’s get to the point where you make me do things, or it’s no longer about putting my shoulders on the mat. It’s about me making you do all these things,” Black articulated his vision. “Did you really think this was about putting my shoulders on the mat? I made you do this, I made you do that.”
This framework would have allowed for extended storytelling beyond individual matches. Each confrontation would have served as another step in Black’s psychological manipulation, with the ultimate goal being the complete moral compromise of his opponent. The feud wouldn’t conclude with a decisive victory in a match; rather, it would climax when Black successfully demonstrated that he’d fundamentally altered his opponent’s character and decision-making process.
The Adam Copeland Connection: Testing the Corruption Theory
While Rhodes was the primary target for this character evolution, Black has since revealed that he tested elements of the “Dark Father” concept during his AEW tenure with Hall of Famer Adam Copeland (Edge). A particularly memorable spot involved attempting to provoke the veteran into committing an act of violence that would have contradicted his established persona.
“There’s a particular match that I had with Adam Copeland, and the way we set it up was kind of trying to lure Adam to our side,” Black recalled. The sequence featured Black and his associate Buddy Matthews orchestrating a scenario where Copeland held a steel chair—a weapon that represented crossing a moral threshold for the veteran performer.
“Adam has a chair in his hand, and the lights cut and the lights go back on. I’m standing next to Adam, and I’m telling him, ‘Do it. Do it, do it.’ And Buddy gets on his knees and puts his hands behind his back and just smiling, because all we wanted to do is prove that we can corrupt people,” Black explained.
This sequence demonstrated how Black intended to execute the “Dark Father” philosophy in practical terms—creating scenarios where opponents faced impossible choices between maintaining their principles or succumbing to provocation and rage.
The Theatrical Roots of Black’s Character Evolution
Black’s creative ambitions weren’t born in a vacuum. The wrestler has cited theatrical performance as a foundational influence on his character development, drawing inspiration from shock rock pioneers and theatrical performers who understood the power of visual storytelling and psychological manipulation.
During recent interviews, Black referenced discussions with Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth regarding the theatrical aspects of character work, noting how performers like Alice Cooper revolutionized entertainment by combining visceral performance with psychological depth. This theatrical foundation informed Black’s vision for the “Dark Father” character, positioning it as performance art that transcended traditional wrestling narrative structures.
What Might Have Been: The Unrealized Potential
Black’s June 2020 WWE release prevented this creative direction from reaching fruition during his initial tenure. However, the revelation of these plans provides wrestling fans with a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been one of the most psychologically complex feuds in modern WWE history.
The “Dark Father” concept represented a significant creative risk—one that required both performer and opponent to commit fully to a long-term narrative that prioritized psychological storytelling over traditional match-based progression. In an era where WWE was still establishing its creative direction on the main roster, such an unconventional approach might have faced internal resistance despite its innovative potential.
Now, with Black’s return to WWE in 2025 and his recent confrontations with Cody Rhodes reigniting their unfinished business, wrestling enthusiasts remain curious whether elements of this scrapped storyline might resurface in some form. The passage of time and both performers’ evolved perspectives could provide new dimensions to a feud that was never allowed to fully develop during their first encounter.