Paul Heyman Proud Of Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews Following WrestleCade Match

Paul Heyman has indicated his pride in Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews following their match at WrestleCade on Saturday, November 27.

Matthews and Black had a trilogy of matches in late 2019 and early 2020 in WWE, while Heyman was executive director of Monday Night Raw, and their match at WrestleCade was the first time they have faced each other since their WWE releases. 

Following a tweet from Matthews that noted Heyman would be proud, the WWE manager admitted he was indeed proud of both men, writing: "Great talent will always find a way to showcase their abilities. I am, indeed, quite proud, and never let 'promotional boundaries' limit that and those who inspire my admiration."

Heyman was a big fan of both men during his time as Raw executive director and Black and Matthews were part of the SmackDown "catering crew" that the former ECW owner planned to build Monday Night Raw around. 

Both men were featured performers while Heyman retained influence on the red brand, with Black almost being picked to win the 2020 Royal Rumble, but Malakai and Matthews' roles in WWE would dwindle once Heyman was removed from his position of power in June 2020. 

Black and Matthews have both since been released by WWE and Buddy recently faced Kazuchika Okada in New Japan Pro-Wrestling while the former NXT Champion signed with All Elite Wrestling.