The name Malebolgia is derived from the term in Dante's Inferno used to describe Malebolge, the ditches (bolge) in the eighth circle of Hell, where humans who committed the sin Fraud are punished.

It has been noted that Malebolgia is also constantly at war with the rulers of the other spheres of Hell, as well as at odds with Mammon.

Eventually, Malebolgia killed his master and took over as ruler of the Eighth Sphere.

After being defeated by Al Simmons, the Lords of Hell cut off Malebolgia's power and set up "roadblocks" to ensure that he never returned.

Malebolgia would be later defeated by Leetha, who took over Downing, destroying the Freak's body, seemingly killing him.

His standing in Hell's hierarchy gives him vast power while in the Eighth Sphere.