Malakai Black may be finishing up with AEW, according to a new report.
On the January 8th episode of AEW Dynamite, Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews of the House of Black. After the match, Ospreay praised Matthews and encouraged him to step out of Black’s shadow, as he said that he didn’t need a leader to succeed. This led to some buzz about Black’s status.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (via Fightful Select) reports that AEW sources were of the belief that Malakai Black was finishing up with AEW, if he hadn’t already. These sources did not specify whether he would appear on AEW television again. Further details are unclear at this time, and Black is still listed on AEW’s official website as of this writing.
As previously reported, there were option years in Black’s contract after 2025. Tony Khan has said that Black was under contract until 2027.
Malakai Black signed with AEW in 2021 and debuted at AEW Dynamite: Road Rager. He feuded with Cody Rhodes and later formed the House of Black. He, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews won the AEW World Trios Championship together. Black has not wrestled for AEW since AEW Full Gear in November, where he and King challenged for the tag team titles.
More Details
In September, Dave Meltzer reported an update on Black in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and wrote that WWE has been wanting Malakai Black back. Melter wrote that Black tried to give notice when in 2022, when Triple H took over creative in WWE. The report also noted that Black’s contract was up in early 2025, though injury time could be added to it.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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