AEW's Malakai Black Wants NJPW Run

The former Tommy End's wrestling ambitions extend beyond AEW, it seems...

by Andy H Murray
Malakai Black
AEW

All Elite Wrestling newcomer Malakai Black has expressed his desire to wrestle for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Speaking on The Wrestling Perspective Podcast, Black said that working for the market-leading puroresu promotion was one of the last things on his wrestling wishlist, adding that he hopes it can happen and some stage in the future (h/t WrestlingNews.co for the transcription):-

"One of the companies that I still want to do some stuff for, hopefully in the future, is New Japan. That would make my circle complete. That’s what I was raised on. I always wanted to go to Japan. I always wanted to go to New Japan. It has always been one of my ultimate goals, one of the last few things on my checklist is New Japan. Let’s hope in due time, someway, somehow, we can make that happen in the future."

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains a barrier to Black fulfilling these desires, with international travel still held up by restrictions. Either way, AEW's strong working relationship with NJPW should allow Malakai to tick this off his checklist once things aren't so complicated.

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Black has worked a handful of Japanese tours throughout his career, primarily for Big Japan Pro-Wrestling between 2011 and 2013.

The Dutchman's first AEW match comes against Cody Rhodes at Dynamite: Homecoming on 4 August.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.