AEW Talent Reacts To Malakai Black's Departure: "Good" (AEW News)
Malakai Black not expected back on AEW television as exit rumours intensify.
Malakai Black's seemingly impending AEW departure is being taken as "good" backstage.
This is according to Dave Meltzer, who stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that as talented as Malakai is, everybody he has spoken to about the situation has reacted in the same way. "'Good', so whatever that's worth," was his exact phrasing.
Meltzer affirmed that Malakai is "gone" from AEW and is unlikely to be used on television again. He added that although Black worked hard in the ring, he wanted to go back to WWE at one point, which complicated his position in AEW. He also insinuated that Malakai wasn't "comfortable losing."
Each of Malakai's House of Black stablemates featured in onscreen angles suggesting they will be going their separate ways last week. On Dynamite, Will Ospreay endorsed Buddy Matthews in the ring, encouraging the Australian to forge his own path. Two days late on Collision, Cope told Brody King (standing with Julia Hart) that it was time for him to "take the reins and run."
COPE shares words of wisdom as he stands face to face once again with Brody King.
AdvertisementWatch #AEWCollision LIVE on @tntdrama & @SportsonMax @Brodyxking | @RatedRCope pic.twitter.com/TIG5rhBDE8
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 12, 2025
AEW has not officially announced that Malakai will be leaving the promotion, nor has the House of black formally split on television. Nonetheless, while Black's (ex?) stablemates have remained active, Malakai has not wrestled for AEW since 23 November.
Fightful Select reported earlier this month that Black was potentially done with AEW. The outlet noted that although it couldn't say for sure that the two parties had ended their relationship, Malakai was previously bound to a contract with option years extending beyond 2024.
Speculation on Black's AEW future intensified when he was announced for an 11 January independent show run by Coastal Championship Wrestling:
BREAKING NEWS: #AEW star MALAKAI BLACK (@malakaiblxck) makes his CCW debut THIS WEEKEND in Tampa!
Learn more and grab your CCW Havoc & Haze 9 tickets NOW: https://t.co/RhC5Qhr7pF
Advertisement— Coastal Championship Wrestling (@CCWAliveTV) January 8, 2025