Why Malakai Black Signed For AEW

The former Tommy End on why he chose AEW after leaving WWE.

Malakai Black Cody Rhodes
AEW

Speaking on his wife Zelina Vega's Twitch channel less than 24 hours after his AEW debut, Malakai Black has revealed why he signed with Tony Khan's promotion, putting his ambush of Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson over as one of the best moments of his career.

Calling going to AEW the right move for himself and those around him, the former WWE wrestler heaped praise on the promotion (h/t Fightful for the transcription):-

"It was the right move for me to make for me, my family, my career, the state of mind I'm in. It's just a really good company. I can't say enough good things about it. They have a bright future. Last night was top three one of my favorite moments of my career... It was the cumulation of months and months and months and having this big payoff was worth the pain, chaos, and perseverance."

Black also mentioned his increased creative freedom in AEW, having helped come up with the arena-wide blackout that led to him appearing in the ring:-

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"It feels good where I'm in a place where my creative mind can be utilized instead of stopped and controlled and knowing that things weren't going to work."

AEW gave its newest roster member the "Malakai Black is #AllElite" treatment on Twitter last night, officially confirming his signing.

Black had been gone from WWE for little over a month before joining AEW. Released on 2 June, his jump was enabled by an embarrassing WWE clerical error that saw him bound to a 30-day non-compete clause, rather than the usual 90 days for main roster wrestlers.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.