Tag: Malakai Black

MJF calls Malakai Black a ‘mark’ who used AEW as stepping stone

Posted on by Joseph Currier

MJF believes the AEW locker room became a better place without people like Malakai Black in it.

With Black having been released by WWE last month, there’s speculation over whether he could make a return to AEW once his 90-day clause is up. Based on what MJF said during his appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show today, it sounds like the AEW locker room would be opposed to that idea. MJF said there’s been a night and day difference for the better since wrestlers who viewed the company as a stepping stone were weeded out of AEW. He described Black as the biggest offender of those who had that mindset.

MJF clarified that he does not really know Black on a personal level, describing him more as a “mark” than a bad guy.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that [the biggest offender was] Malakai Black,” MJF said. “But I don’t know the guy, like, on a personal level. Do I think he’s a bad guy? No. Do I think he was a mark for wanting to have his, ‘Oh, I need my Mania moment.’ Yeah, and there were a couple of guys like that, and they got weeded out.

“And then they went over there and some of them found out the grass isn’t greener. And perhaps some of them did, for them the grass was greener. But I’d say a majority of the guys that were like, ‘I’m just going to use All Elite Wrestling to go back to WWE,’ I think you’re going to see a lot of those guys asked for a 50 percent pay cut from the office. Or you’re going to see a lot of those guys just get released. And it’s unfortunate because if you show up to our company and you work hard, there’s really no need to burn bridges.”

“Majority” of AEW locker room felt the same way about Black —

MJF noted that he was speaking as a team captain and relaying how the majority of wrestlers in AEW felt about Black.

“Like I said, I’m not sh*tting on him. I’m just simply telling you what I was told by a majority of the locker room about this specific individual,” MJF said. “So as a team captain, as a leader — even though, yes, I am 30 — and as somebody who has been part of this promotion since day one, I don’t want to deal with guys that don’t want to be team players. F*** off, go elsewhere. Or f***ing prove me wrong. I would love to be proven wrong. It would be great. Prove me wrong.”

Black joined AEW in 2021 following his initial release from WWE and was with the promotion until he went back to WWE in 2025. Though disputed by Black, there were rumors that he was reluctant to lose matches during his AEW run.

AEW has denied that it is already in negotiations with Black for a return. Swerve Strickland, another one of AEW’s top stars, was less abrasive than MJF but non-committal when addressing whether he would like Black to return, saying that he just hopes Black is able to find what he’s looking for in wrestling to make him happy.

Swerve Strickland comments on possible Aleister Black AEW return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Swerve Strickland hopes Aleister Black’s next pro wrestling home is one that brings him happiness and fulfillment.

During an interview with Bootleg Kev, Strickland was asked about rumors that Black could end up returning to AEW when he’s contractually able to do so. Strickland did not directly advocate for or dismiss the idea of Black returning. Instead, he expressed hope that Black and his wife Zelina Vega will be able to find what they’re looking for in their next move.

“I just hope that Aleister — I’ll speak to, I hope Tommy [Black’s real name] finds what he’s looking for in this industry, this part in his career,” Strickland said. “[Black and Vega are] both very talented, incredible people. Incredible talents in itself. I just hope they find something that gives them the type of — I don’t know what it is that he’s really [looking for], whatever it is, I hope they find some place that gives them that, you know what I mean?

“Because he has so many great ideas. He’s one of the guys that got me into NXT. Like, him talking with Terry Taylor and he’s like, ‘This is the guy you gotta watch out for.’ I did tape studies with him in 2017. My last indie run, he was the guy I was going to. He really helped my mind a lot at that stage in my career. So I just hope, like, he finds the place that gives him whatever it is that can fulfill him in the industry again.”

Black and Vega were both released by WWE during the company’s April 2026 roster cuts. It was the second stint in WWE for each of them, with Black having wrestled for AEW as Malakai Black between his two WWE runs.

AEW has refuted reports that the company is already in negotiations with Black for a return. Whether he’ll be welcomed back remains to be seen given that Black chose to leave the company in 2025 in favor of WWE. There are rumors that Black was reluctant to lose matches during his time with AEW, though Black has denied those claims and said he loved being in the promotion.

Aleister Black reportedly in negotiations for AEW return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Update:

AEW has denied to Fightful that they have entered into discussions with Aleister Black.

Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on Wednesday, “I know people in AEW who saw the report that AEW was negotiating with Aleister Black and I can tell you that they were absolutely astounded.”

Original:

According to a new report, Aleister Black could return to AEW.

Black was part of WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts revealed on April 24, 2026, after having returned to the company in April 2025. He spent from 2021 to 2025 with AEW.

SEScoops.com’s Michael Reichlin wrote on Wednesday that “a source with direct knowledge of the discussions” is stating that Black and AEW are in talks regarding his potentially returning to the company.

The news follows recent comments by Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone regarding Black.

On an episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Ross noted that he does not believe Black has burned his bridge with the company, despite reports of clashes with management during his time with AEW.

“No, I do not (believe Black has burned his bridge with AEW). But I think that his chances are running out,” Ross said.

“Trust is a big thing. Reliability. Are you reliable? There is I’m sure a small faction of some in the wrestling business that believe he’s missing something. I don’t disagree with that. But he’s not missing his attire, his look, his work ethic. So whatever his downfalls are, they seem to be stimulated from things outside the bell-to-bell. But I like the guy. I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”

Schiavone recently noted on an episode of his What Happened When podcast that he’s friends with Black, although he has not had a chance to speak with him following his departure from WWE.

“I was surprised, really, that they [WWE] released Malakai [Black] because he and I are friends. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him since that time” Schiavone said.

Dave Meltzer on AEW potentially bringing back Aleister Black

In last week’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that there were some in AEW who were not happy with Black during his previous run with the company.

Meltzer wrote:

“Black is an interesting case because he was a star in AEW, and was booked far better than in WWE. But he wanted to leave and there were people who were not happy with him as he didn’t lose often and once Paul Levesque was in power after Vince McMahon was gone, he tried to get out of his deal at the time.

Eventually he left. It’s basically a guy who would get over with the fans, but others note that AEW’s morale situation is the best it’s been in years and a guy who it was very clear was waiting to leave the last time may not be what they want, given his heart is clearly somewhere else.”

Meltzer also noted that a similar situation existed for Andrade el Idolo, who AEW did bring back. The full edition of the newsletter is available here for subscribers.

Tony Schiavone reveals he was surprised at WWE release of Aleister Black

Posted on by Jake Skudder

AEW commentator Tony Schiavone recently discussed Aleister/Malakai Black being released from WWE as part of the post-WrestleMania 42 fallout.

Speaking on his What Happened When podcast, Schiavone would reveal that he was surprised that his friend got released from the company, also implying that he hadn’t heard anything from Black to indicate that this was likely to happen.

Tony Schiavone reveals friendship with Malakai Black

Although Black wouldn’t have known if he was getting released from his contract, it does appear as though this was at least somewhat of a shock to him, at least in the sense that he didn’t tell some people around him that he thought it might be coming.

“I was surprised, really, that they [WWE] released Malakai [Black] because he and I are friends. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to him since that time” the AEW commentator noted.

Schiavone also discussed the ‘fallout’ from his comments that Nigel McGuinness is the best color analyst that he has ever worked with from the podcast last week.

“I think we’re very fortunate in AEW. As a two-man team, I really like working with Nigel and people say, ‘well, what about Jesse or what about Heenan? You worked with Dusty Rhodes in a two-man booth. What about those guys you worked with? You say Nigel’s better than [them]?’ Well, Nigel is the most prepared I’ve ever worked with.”

Aleister Black ‘very, very happy’ for Brody King’s AEW success

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Aleister Black is happy to see his former stablemate Brody King thriving in AEW.

Before Black departed AEW for WWE, he led The House of Black with King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart. King has since held Tag Team gold with Bandido and reached World Championship contention before ultimately losing to MJF. In an interview with The Stunner, Black said he knew his AEW faction members would fare well after he left. He had a conversation with King and Matthews prior to leaving AEW where they all agreed that shaking things up might be for the best.

“It was a very thorough conversation between me, [King], and Buddy. They were in agreement. They were like, ‘Yeah, we also think that it might be best, you know, to change course.’ Because we felt that we were hitting a wall constantly. Not in a malicious way, not in a bad way. Like, there’s only so much room and so much time for everybody, which is fine,” Black said.

“I said to [King], ‘I think once I go one direction, I think you will eventually see a big explosion in regards to how you are being perceived as.’ And I’m glad that we see that now because the whole reason why I initially told Tony [Khan] about Brody was because I already saw that. I knew how good he could be. And even when we first started moving around with him, I had to kind of tone him down a little bit because he’s a big human being. He came out of an era where a lot of big guys would still do flips and stuff like that. I would say, ‘I’d like for you to be more effective. One elbow from you equals dude on the ground and not getting back up.’ Instead of like five forearms and a clothesline.

“He picked up on that tremendously. He saw that it was more effective. He saw that it helped his character get over. He was just one of those guys that I feel was a big diamond in the rough. He’s a good dude. I have a lot of love for him. We fight like brothers, even back then, and sometimes I’m his dad and sometimes he’s my dad. We’ve always had a good relationship, and I am very, very happy for him. Because that’s what should happen. Unique guy, charismatic guy, talented guy.”

Matthews has not been able to have the same success as King due to an ankle injury that has now sidelined him for more than a year.

In November 2024, Black wrestled his final AEW match before eventually departing the company in February 2025. He is now on the WWE SmackDown roster and works alongside his wife Zelina Vega.

Aleister Black strikes back against ‘false’ narratives, says he ‘loved being in AEW’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Aleister Black is striking back against fan narratives that claim he didn’t enjoy his time in AEW.

Black spent nearly four years with AEW, joining the company in July 2021 before departing this February. He went by the name Malakai Black in the promotion and led the faction House of Black with Buddy Matthews, Brody King & Julia Hart. He has since returned to WWE, where he is part of the SmackDown roster.

During an appearance on The Ringer’s Masked Man Show, Black said the belief that he never wanted to be in AEW is “completely false.” He also attempted to refute rumors that he was reluctant to lose matches while with the company.

“One of the things, they’re like, ‘Oh, he never wanted to be in AEW.’ That’s completely false. That’s absolutely not true,” Black said. “I had a great time in AEW. I had a lot of fun. Did I do everything that I wanted to do? No, but that’s okay. Because at the end of the day, it’s not my company. I don’t have any say.

“And it’s the same way for all the, ‘He didn’t want to lay down for people.’ If you really think that I have so much pull in the company that I can say who I’m not going to go up against or lay down against, you think I’m going to not, like, vouch for myself and put myself in the main events and stuff? You think I’m going to politic for — oh, I’m not going to lay down for this person.”

Black said his health has been fine despite a previous back injury — which he has rehabbed — and a minor knee injury that only sidelined him for a week. While some fans questioned why he didn’t have more singles matches in AEW, Black says Tony Khan was “very adamant” about House of Black competing in trios bouts. When Black wasn’t on TV much, it’s just because that’s how they were being used.

Black said he made a “calculated business decision” to return to WWE after listening to what each side wanted him to do. But he enjoyed being with AEW — in particular listing his barbed wire steel cage match against Adam Copeland from Double or Nothing 2024 as a career highlight.

“I don’t like that that for a big part has also been like a running narrative, like coming out of it. Because I’ve always loved wrestling. I still love wrestling. I loved being in AEW,” he said. “I think my match with Adam Copeland in the cage is one of the funnest things I’ve done in wrestling, right?

“And yes, of course, at the end of it, I made a calculated business decision. I looked at what I wanted to do, where I wanted to do it, and how I wanted to do it. ‘Well, this is where my wife [Zelina Vega] was.’ Listening to option A with what they wanted me to do, listening to option B with what they wanted to do, and I picked the one that business-wise made sense for me. And also where my heart lay more in terms of, well, I feel I have a lot left that I want to do here. And I know on this side, this is what they want me to do. And that doesn’t completely align with what I want to do at this moment. So I’m going to go the other way.”

Black will be in action on WWE SmackDown tonight in a singles match against Damian Priest.

Malakai Black, Rey Fenix WWE updates

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Malakai Black should be returning to WWE soon — and WWE is also making plans for the arrival of another former AEW wrestler.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Black (formerly known as Aleister Black in WWE) should be making his WWE return soon. WWE is planning for the arrival of Rey Fenix as well, though there has been no confirmation that Fenix is able to sign with the company yet. Fenix has not wrestled for AEW in more than seven months but had injury time added to his contract last year when he was expected to be headed to WWE.

“Aleister Black should be returning [to WWE] imminently,” Meltzer wrote. “They are making plans for Rey Fenix although there has been no confirmation Fenix has been released from his AEW contract.”

Black, Ricky Starks, and Miro were all let out of their AEW contracts on February 10. Starks has already debuted for WWE as a new NXT signing, while Miro worked his first post-AEW match for Qatar Pro Wrestling last weekend.

Fenix’s brother Penta debuted for WWE this January and has been featured as a singles star on the Raw roster.

Adam Cole on AEW post-match hug with Malakai Black: ‘A cool moment with a friend’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Adam Cole spoke about his brief program with The House of Black during a recent interview with Kliq This.

When Cole returned to AEW in November after more than a year on the shelf with a severe ankle injury, his first match was against Buddy Matthews, and his second was against Malakai Black. The story seemed to imply that the House of Black was testing and preparing Cole for his comeback and rivalry with MJF.

On the November 6 edition of Dynamite, Cole defeated Black in what would be Black’s final singles match in AEW. The two wrestlers embraced afterward, and some fans took that as a sign that Black would be leaving the company soon. Black wrestled his final AEW match on November 23, and it was reported last week that he is no longer under contract. He is expected to return to WWE shortly.

Cole stated that he was unaware of Black’s future plans or status with AEW at the time.

“I do have a history of working with Malakai. Just an unbelievable opponent, an unbelievable guy to step in there with, and we’ve shared a lot of really cool moments together. So for me, all it was, was this personal moment between two guys who have a lot of love and respect for each other. I don’t know anything about or didn’t know anything about what his plans were and things like that. For me, it was just a cool moment with a friend after getting to work together after a long time.”

The full interview is available below:

Malakai Black & Miro update following AEW releases

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Now that they’re no longer under contract with AEW, it’s looking like only a matter of time before Malakai Black and Miro end up back in WWE.

AEW made releases this week with Black, Miro, and Ricky Starks being let out of their deals. Starks debuted for WWE on NXT just one day later — and Dave Meltzer reports that there have been discussions about Black and Miro in WWE creative as well.

“Even before his release, WWE had plans for Starks to debut in NXT at a major event later this year, but sped up the process as soon as he was available,” Meltzer wrote in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

“The belief is that Black and Miro will also be in WWE very soon. It wouldn’t surprise me to see CJ Perry back involved with him but that’s less of a definite. Those in WWE had said creative had been talking about Black and Miro.”

Black and Miro went by the names Aleister Black and Rusev while they were with WWE. Miro was released by WWE in 2020 while Black was released in 2021.

When Miro wrestles next, it will be his first match since December 2023. The final match of Black’s AEW run took place this past November.

WWE star Sheamus shared a new photo of him and Miro together after Miro was released by AEW:

Wrestling Weekly: WWE roster cuts, AEW Grand Slam Australia preview

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

There is lots to discuss this week on a new Wrestling Weekly with myself and Les Thatcher.

That list includes WWE roster cuts, Ricky Starks (if that is in fact his name) arriving in NXT, and a preview of AEW Grand Slam Australia.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Malakai Black removed from AEW roster page

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Malakai Black’s time with AEW looks to officially be over.

Black has been removed from the roster page on AEW’s website as of Monday morning, which usually signifies that a wrestler is no longer with the company. PWInsider reports that Black is now a free agent with his AEW contract having expired yesterday.

It’s been expected for several weeks that Black would be departing AEW. He has not wrestled for the promotion since November 2024, and his former House of Black faction members Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Julia Hart recently split off into their own group with Black gone from AEW programming.

Now that he’s no longer under contract with AEW, a return to WWE looks likely for Black. Dave Meltzer reported last month that there had been discussions regarding Black within WWE creative.

“There was also talk from WWE that he was expected there when his [AEW] contract expires,” Meltzer wrote. “That’s been the case for a while, but evidently there has been talk in WWE creative about him of late.”

The 39-year-old Black — whose real name is Tom Budgen — is a former NXT Champion. He wrestled under the name Aleister Black in WWE prior to being released in 2021. His wife Zelina Vega (Thea Trinidad Budgen) is currently a member of the WWE SmackDown roster.

Black worked a match for indie promotion Coastal Championship Wrestling in Florida last month, defeating Orion.

Julia Hart: I’m happy for Malakai Black no matter what happens

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

A House of Black member has now spoken on the record about the rumors of Malakai Black departing AEW.

In an interview with Denise Salcedo, former TBS Champion Julia Hart was asked about the possibility of the group leader leaving the company. She said she doesn’t know what’s going on, but wishes him the best regardless of what he ends up doing.

“He has been such a great rock for me and I appreciate everything he’s ever done with me. The rumors aren’t confirmed or anything, so I don’t know what exactly is going on. Anything could be happening. We don’t know. So, it’s just a matter of fact whatever happens, happens, and I’m happy for him no matter what happens, and I think House of Black will be okay,” she said.

News broke this week that Black has either wrapped up with AEW or is finishing up soon, and that WWE could be an option if and when he becomes a free agent.

Hart said she actually came up with the idea of joining the faction and approached producer Jerry Lynn for advice and to talk to Black as she didn’t know him, Brody King or Buddy Matthews.

The 23-year-old recently returned from a shoulder injury after being out since April, picking up a victory over Jamie Hayter on the first Dynamite of the year.

Hart also talked about her recovery from that injury and more in the full 20-minute interview below:

Wrestling Weekly: Looking back at the WWE Raw Netflix debut

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

It was a huge week for WWE with Raw’s debut on Netflix.

On this week’s Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I look at what went down and what might be next as well as what’s coming up for AEW off of this week’s Dynamite.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Update on Malakai Black, potential WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With his AEW run rumored to be over, Malakai Black could be on his way back to WWE.

Dave Meltzer reports in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there has “evidently” been talk about Black within WWE creative recently. It has not been officially confirmed that Black is gone from AEW, but no one expects him back.

Meltzer wrote:

There has been a lot of talk in the past two days about Malakai Black. The word backstage was that he was gone [from AEW], although in trying to confirm it, nobody would say anything. It’s been reported elsewhere, and one person close to the situation said they were confirming it to us but when we asked officially there was neither a confirmation nor a denial. Nobody expects him back. There was also talk from WWE that he was expected there when his contract expires. That’s been the case for a while, but evidently there has been talk in WWE creative about him of late.

Black has been signed to AEW for nearly four years, leading his House of Black faction that has consisted of Buddy Matthews, Brody King & Julia Hart.

Will Ospreay defeated Matthews on Dynamite this week and then gave a speech saying that Matthews and King don’t need a leader — they’re capable of doing things on their own. Matthews cut a post-show promo saying Ospreay’s words did not fall on deaf ears.

This Saturday, Black is set to compete at a show for Florida indie promotion Coastal Championship Wrestling. He’s facing Orion at the event.

A return to WWE would mark Black’s first time back with the company since being released in 2021. He went by the name Aleister Black during his WWE run and is a former NXT Champion. His wife Zelina Vega is a member of the WWE Raw roster.

Malakai Black believed to be done in AEW

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Malakai Black’s days in AEW may have finally come to an end.

Fightful reported on Wednesday night that those they spoke with in AEW believed he is either done or will be finishing up. Dave Meltzer added on Wrestling Observer Radio that when he asked, he was neither given a denial or verification. Both Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez said the rumor backstage was that the 39-year-old is done with the company.

This news comes after Will Ospreay’s promo following his win over Buddy Matthews that opened Wednesday’s Dynamite where he said Matthews and Brody King don’t need a leader. Black, Matthews and King have been the faction known as the House of Black since February 2022.

In a promo shared on X afterward, Matthews said those words from Ospreay didn’t fall on deaf ears:

Black was in the news Monday as he will work an indie match this weekend.

Fightful had previously reported that Black’s contract had option years after 2024 with Tony Khan previously stating Black was under contract until 2027. He signed with AEW in July 2021 after being released by WWE.

If Black is done, it ends an at-times tumultuous run in the company.

After taking some time off to “recalibrate” his life, Black said in September 2022 that he requested a release, but when a report came out that he gained a “highly conditional” release, he denied it, saying he would be back soon. It’s unclear what happened on both sides during this time.

This past November after a Dynamite match with Adam Cole where they hugged afterward and Cole then put him over as if he was leaving, Black took to social media again to deny he was leaving or retiring.

Black wrestled in three matches since then, all trios or tag teams. He last appeared at November’s Full Gear. If he is done in AEW, he leaves with 71 matches under his belt, no singles titles, and a 175-day run as AEW Trios Champions with Matthews and King. Only 15 of his 71 matches were singles bouts with just five this year.

Black dealt with several injuries in his tenure including a back injury he thought would force him into retirement as well as a calf tear and hyperextended knee.

His wife, Zelina Vega, is currently with WWE. While he said the last few years were a “slow death” for his character in WWE, Meltzer had reported at the time there was a belief WWE felt they made a mistake in releasing him and wanted to re-sign him before he went to AEW.