Tag: Malakai Black

Malakai Black booked for Coastal Championship Wrestling event this weekend

Posted on by Ian Carey

Malakai Black has been announced for a rare independent booking.

Black will be in action for Coastal Championship Wrestling’s Havoc & Haze 9 in Tampa on Saturday, January 11, 2025. He will wrestle OVW’s Orion, who also works as a trainer at Black and Zelina Vega’s Dark Arts Gym.

“Coastal Championship Wrestling (CCW) is excited to announce the upcoming debut of MALAKAI BLACK. The All Elite Wrestling star and former WWE NXT Champion will be in action this Saturday, January 11, 2025, at CCW’s HAVOC & HAZE 9 at Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa, FL,” the promotion wrote.

Black also wrestled Orion at a Dark Arts Gym prospects show in January. The full event, including commentary by AEW’s Tony Schiavone, is available on YouTube below. 

Black and Vega opened Dark Arts Gym in early 2023. 

Black hasn’t wrestled in AEW since he and Brody King took part in the four-way tag title ladder match at Full Gear. He wrestled 25 times for the company in 2024. 

House of Black advances to AEW Full Gear four-way Tag Team title match

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

The Kings of the Black Throne portion of House of Black will now be part of a four-way for the AEW Tag Team titles at next Saturday’s Full Gear.

Malakai Black & Brody King earned their spot on Wednesday’s Dynamite after defeating FTR when King put Dax Harwood out with a sleeper. While the two have held the AEW Trios titles, neither Black or King have been an AEW Tag Team champion.

It’s FTR’s first loss in a traditional tag team match since this past April’s Dynasty — a streak of eight bouts.

The two join reigning champions Private Party and The Outrunners in the match. The Acclaimed and LFI’s Rush & The Beast Mortos will clash this Saturday to determine the fourth entrant.

Here’s the current card for Saturday, November 23rd in Newark, New Jersey:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Four-way match for AEW Tag Team titles: Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defends against The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd), House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) and TBD
  • Zero Hour: Costco Guy AJ vs. QT Marshall

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW vs. NXT, Malakai Black, McMahon

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW and NXT going head-to-head on Wednesday night, what Vince McMahon is up to if anyone cares, Michael Hayes and Bruce Prichard taking leaves, the rest of the news and more! A packed show as always so check it out~!

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Malakai Black shoots down speculation that he’s retiring or leaving AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Taking to social media on Thursday morning, Malakai Black made it clear that he is not injured and is not leaving AEW.

The ending of this week’s AEW Dynamite led to fan speculation that Black could be taking time off from AEW or leaving the promotion. Black lost to Adam Cole in the main event of Dynamite before the two shared a moment together after the match. Cole extended a handshake to Black, who declined it but hugged Cole instead. Cole then cut a promo calling Black one of the best wrestlers he has ever faced. He gave the crowd a moment to cheer for Black and give him a standing ovation.

Black posted a video on his Instagram stories today saying the promo was just Cole thanking him for the match. Black said he has not been injured in more than three years — and he would appreciate it if people would stop starting rumors about him retiring.

“I’m not injured nor am I retiring or am I leaving,” Black said. “I feel this happens every match I have, and I don’t understand how many times you’re going to say these things and then them not happening and people are still going to fall for that. I haven’t been injured in more than three years. And I’m referring to my back injury of course, and I only posted about that after it was already done. And if you would have read the post, you would have seen that and not read what other people have written about it.

“I’m fine, I’ve been fine for the longest time. I would really appreciate it if that stuff stops, man. If I’m going to retire, you’re going to hear it from me and not after Adam just cuts a promo just as a thank you for the match. Because that’s all it was. So, thank you.”

In 2022, Black opened up about the back issues he had battled. Black said he thought the issues were going to end his career at one point before treatment helped him recover.

It remains to be seen whether the moment with Cole will mark a change for Black’s character. He’s the leader of House of Black in AEW with Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart.

Gangrel aids Adam Copeland in barbed wire cage match at AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Bryan Rose

Just when TNT Champion Adam Copeland appeared to be down and out at Double or Nothing, former Brood-mate Gangrel made his AEW return Sunday to play a role in Copeland leaving Las Vegas with his title.

Malakai Black’s House of Black teammates Brody King and Buddy Matthews came out during Copeland and Black’s barbed wire cage match to help Black. As the three men had wrapped Copeland in barbed wire and were ready to finish him off, the lights went out and began to flicker red.

King went over to a spot in the ring and was sprayed by something which turned out to be Gangrel. He then emerged through the mat and sprayed Matthews in the face as well. He punched Black and then delivered Impaler DDTs to both Matthews and King to take them out, leaving a window open for Copeland to spear Black.

Gangrel has made two appearances in AEW before, once in Matt Hardy’s Elite Deletion match at 2020’s Full Gear and again on a May 2022 Rampage, accompanying the Young Bucks to the ring when they were in a feud with the Hardys.

Copeland came out to Slayer’s “South of Heaven” with a modified entrance, complete with a Brood graphic.

The match itself was a violent spectacle that involved chairs and tables in addition to the barbed wire. At one point, Copeland wrapped Black in barbed wire on a table and then went to the top of the cage, leaping off with an elbow drop. However, Copeland’s legs went straight down into the mat. While he was able to work the rest of the match, he was noticeably favoring his left leg walking out with Gangrel at the match’s end.

The finish of the match came when Copeland had a crossface on Black while his head was wrapped with barbed wire, causing the bloodied Black to pass out.

Copeland’s reign started in March with Sunday’s win as the sixth of his second run with the title.

Adam Copeland challenges Malakai Black for AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Adam Copeland has challenged Malakai Black.

After defeating Kyle O’Reilly on Collision to retain the TNT title, Copeland appeared on Rampage behind steel and barbed wire. He mentioned his victories over Buddy Matthews and Brody King, and he next wanted to focus on Malakai Black, challenging him to a barbed wire steel cage match for the TNT title at AEW Double or Nothing on May 26 in Las Vegas.

Copeland has continued his feud with The House of Black following AEW Dynasty in April, when he lost a six-man tag team match to the stable, being pinned by Black. On Wednesday, Black said his goal would be to remind Copeland of the cold-hearted son of a b**** he was.

Copeland went on to defeat King in the main event of Dynamite. After the match, King attacked Copeland until O’Reilly came out for the save. Backstage, the two set up a title match for Collision, which took place in O’Reilly’s hometown of Edmonton, Canada.

AEW Rampage live results: Malakai Black vs. Christopher Daniels

Posted on by Joseph Collins

Malakai Black wrestles a rare singles match on tonight’s AEW Rampage. 

In just his second singles match in AEW since 2022, the leader of the House of Black faction faces Christopher Daniels on this week’s Rampage episode after Daniels issued a challenge to Black on last week’s Collision show. 

A Final Four elimination match will also take place on tonight’s program, with Daniel Garcia vs. Action Andretti vs. Bryan Keith vs. Komander. 

In the women’s division, Serena Deeb will go one-on-one with Trish Adora on tonight’s episode. 

In an International title eliminator match, Roderick Strong will face London Lightning in a bout where Lightning will earn a title shot if he beats Strong, the International Champion. 

Tonight’s Rampage episode was taped last Saturday in London, Ontario, Canada at the Budweiser Gardens, and goes head-to-head with the ROH Supercard of Honor event streaming on Honor Club. Spoilers for Rampage are available here.

**********

Taped in London, Ontario. 

Tony Schiavone, Ian Riccaboni and Nigel McGuinness were on commentary. Ian and Nigel are doing their best impersonation of Rick Rude by being in two places at once tonight (they were also doing commentary for the ROH show). 

Malakai Black (w/ Buddy Matthews) defeated Christopher Daniels (8:11)

Daniels went down hard after a knee, slumping over in the corner. Another kick sent Daniels to the floor, where he was attacked by Buddy Matthews. Black floored Daniels with a back elbow for a near fall. A sliding kick from Matthews while the ref was distracted got Black another near fall. This match should already be over and it’s heading into a commercial break.

After the break, Daniels made a comeback against both Matthews and Black, sending Matthews into the ring post on the floor then hitting Black with a flatliner in the ring. A release German suplex and a high angle death valley driver lead to a near fall. Black escaped the Angles Wings, then caught Daniels with a kick to the back of the head for a near fall that should have been the finish. Daniels got a pair of near falls off of cradles, then walked into the Black Mass. That was it for Daniels. 

Feels like they’re mailing in the show when it starts with Christopher Daniels. 

Roderick Strong (w/ Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated London Lightning in an AEW International Championship Eliminator Match (5:34)

Strong interviewed Lightning before the match, who is from London, Ontario. London’s mom is rooting her son on at home from the couch. Not in the arena? It’s not like the show was sold out.

The crowd actually got behind Lightning, who caught Strong with a high knee. Strong came back with a high backdrop suplex. Lightning kicked out after a backbreaker, which the crowd reacted to. The crowd rallied behind Lightning, but Strong cut off his comeback and locked in a surfboard. Lightning caught Strong with a couple of cradles for near falls. Lightning hit a suplex and popped the crowd. Lightning took out Taven with a plancha, but Wardlow came out of nowhere and floored Lightning with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Strong locked in a Texas Cloverleaf for the submission. 

Now someone should bring back the figure four leglock as a finisher. 

– Legit Leyla Hirsch challenged Julia Hart to an Open House match for the TBS Championship on Rampage next week. 

Serena Deeb defeated Trish Adora (8:55 aired)

Deeb used the Paradise Lock on Adora, which was the highlight of the night. Crowd didn’t react much to it, which is a shame. Adora picked up Deeb for a slam but dropped Deeb on her knee in a ugly looking bump. 

After a split-screen break, Deeb caught Adora with a hangman’s neckbreaker while she was in the ropes, effectively giving her a back breaker against the middle rope. Deeb ran into a boot, but caught Adora with a dragon screw leg whip. The crowd was so quiet the only thing you could hear was Deeb and Adora screaming, which was unnerving. 

Adora caught Deeb with a full nelson bomb for a near fall. Deeb and Adora exchanged blows until Deeb dropped Adora with a German suplex. Deeb locked in the Serenity Lock to get the submission. This felt like the second hour of the Ring of Honor taping after Collision. 

– Julia Hart accepted Leyla Hirsch’s challenge for next week. 

– Saraya, Harely Cameron and Zak Knight continued their weird angle that’s been going on on Rampage for what feels like years by chasing Alex Marvez away during an interview. I think they’re finally getting to the match between Knight and Angelo Parker next week.

Daniel Garcia defeated Komander, Bryan Keith and Action Andretti in a Final Four Elimination Match in 14:01. 

During the match, it’s announced that despite losing in her match, Trish Adora will have a match with Yuki Sakazaki on Collision tomorrow night. If wins and losses matter, why does it feel like the losers keep getting rewarded with more matches? This happened a lot with Bryan Keith and Queen Aminata earlier this year. 

The match started with Garcia and Keith brawling on the floor while Komander and Andretti did cool flashy stuff in the ring. 

Andretti jumped off top rope with a springboard and ran into a right hand from Garcia. Keith set up Komander for a headbutt. Komader countered a tiger driver with a rana into a cadle for a pinfall to eliminate Keith at 3:33. 

The action picked during the split-screen break. 

After the break, Andretti dropped Garcia with a death valley driver on the ring apron. Andretti followed up with an Arabian press on the floor. Komander took out Andretti with a boot, then hit an Asai moonsault on both his opponents. 

Back in the ring, Komander jumped into a torture rack into a cutter from Andretti, and he got the pinfall at 8:35. 

Andretti caught Garcia with a superkick, but Garcia came back by clipping Andretti in the knee. Garcia worked over Andretti’s knee. Adndretti caught Garcia with a small package for a near fall. Andretti kipped up but still sold the knee a bit. Andretti went for a standing shooting star press, but Garcia grabbed an ankle lock. After a few teases, Andretti escaped by sending Garcia to the floor. Andretti followed him out with a plancha. 

Back in the ring, Andretti came off the top with a clothesline for a near fall. Andretti tried for the rack again, but Garcia escaped. Garcia and Andretti exchanged strikes. Garcia went for a piledriver, but Andretti backdropped out of it and caught Garcia with a falcon arrow for a near fall. Andretti tried to rack Garcia again, but Garcia escaped. Andretti tried a handspring off the ropes, but he jumped right into Garcia’s hands, and Garcia locked in a knee bar. Andretti had no choice but to tap out. 

This felt like a pretty sad show up until the main event, which was pretty good. Probably not worth going out of your way to see with the million other hours of wrestling on this weekend. 

Malakai Black vs. Christopher Daniels announced for AEW Rampage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Malakai Black will be in action on the next AEW Rampage.

Christopher Daniels on Saturday issued a challenge to Black, saying it wasn’t about tenure in AEW, but about wins. He asked Black if he had the guts to take on someone face-to-face instead of attacking them from behind.

Saturday’s show saw Adam Copeland defeat Matt Cardona to retain the TNT Championship. After the match, the lights went out and when they came back on, Black appeared. Buddy Matthews attacked Copeland from behind, who was then saved by both Mark Briscoe and Eddie Kingston. A six-man tag team match pitting The House of Black against Copeland, Kingston, and Briscoe was then announced for AEW Dynasty next month in St. Louis.

Daniels has mostly made appearances on AEW Rampage and ROH, racking up several losses against the likes of Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Private Party, and Angelico. His last win took place on ROH TV in January, defeating Lee Johnson.

Here is the lineup so far for next week’s AEW Rampage:

  • Malakai Black vs. Christopher Daniels

Malakai Black set for first AEW singles match since 2022

Posted on by Joseph Currier

This week’s AEW Collision will feature a rare Malakai Black singles match.

AEW has announced that Black vs. Bryan Keith will take place on Collision this Saturday night. It’s the first one-on-one match Black has had in AEW since June 2022, when he defeated Penta El Zero Miedo on an episode of Dynamite. Black also took part in a four-way match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door that same month.

Black and his House of Black stablemates are currently feuding against Mark Briscoe.

Keith is a new addition to the AEW roster. His signing was officially announced after putting in a strong performance in a loss to Eddie Kingston on Collision earlier this month.

On Rampage tonight (February 23), Keith is teaming up with Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander in a three-way trios match against Top Flight & Action Andretti and Private Party & Matt Sydal.

Collision is taking place from Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Missouri this Saturday. The updated lineup for the episode is listed below:

AEW Collision (Saturday, February 24) —

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Jun Akiyama
  • FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty
  • Malakai Black vs. Bryan Keith
  • Serena Deeb in action
  • Thunder Rosa in action
  • The Bang Bang Scissor Gang’s Jay White, Billy Gunn & Austin Gunn in trios action

House of Black make AEW return on Collision

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The House of Black are back in AEW

After Bryan Danielson defeated Andrade El Idolo on Saturday’s show, the lights went out. When they came back on, Black appeared in the ring and laid out Bryan with the black mass kick. When Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli came down for the save, the lights went out again. When they came back on again, Black was gone.

Later, the entirety of House of Black made their return during an FTR match, with Brody King using a cast to take out both men.

As a trio, The House of Black had been gone from AEW television since All In back in late August, when they lost the AEW Trios titles to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn. King later resurfaced with Julia Hart as she challenged Kris Statlander for the TBS title at WrestleDream earlier this month. Matthews and Black had not been on TV since losing the Trios title.

In an Instagram Stories post last month, Black said that he was dealing with a calf tear and a hyperextended knee, denying that he was out with an injured back. Black had spent most of 2023 wrestling in trios matches.

AEW’s Malakai Black dealing with calf tear & hyperextended knee

Posted on by Ian Carey

Image: AEW

Malakai Black provided an injury update on social media recently. 

The 38-year-old hasn’t wrestled since AEW All In last month when The House of Black dropped the Trios titles to The Acclaimed. 

Black gave an update on Instagram Stories early Wednesday morning and revealed he has been dealing with a slight calf tear and a hyperextended knee. He debunked rumors that he is once again dealing with a back injury.

“About a year ago, I made a video about rehabbing a back injury that I had. The video shows the process, and I talk about overcoming that injury, strengthening my back,” Black said. “After the video was posted, people started running with this idea that ‘Oh, he has a bad back and therefore A, B, or C,’ which is not the case at all. And for some reason that has found its way back and again the narrative is ‘Well, he’s not had singles matches etc. because he has a bad back, he nearly retired because of it,’ and none of these things are true.”

“Why am I not having singles matches? I don’t know. I think it’s because they really wanted us, House of Black, to do six-mans. I was also not in six-mans to hide said non-existing injury.”

“Again, rest assured I do not have a bad back and the reason why I am at home right now is due to a minor injury, which is I had a slight calf tear and hyperextension in my knee, which is almost nursed back and almost ready to go back on the road etc. Again, I appreciate the concern, but the reality is I’m fine and you will see me sooner rather than later, but again, I appreciate the concern.”

Black posted a video in August 2022 detailing a back injury he suffered which he was worried would be career-threatening, saying “Till about 3 months ago I was dealing with a back injury I was convinced was going to force me into retirement.” The following month, Black posted a statement revealing that he requested his release from AEW due to “promises in my professional field that were not upheld.”

Black debuted for AEW in July 2021 after having previously been with WWE since 2016. His House of Black team with Buddy Matthews and Brody King won the AEW World Trios titles at Revolution earlier this year by defeating The Elite. They held the titles until dropping them to the Acclaimed last month. 

Andrade El Idolo wants to face Malakai Black at AEW All In

Posted on by Ian Carey

Andrade El Idolo is not finished with the House of Black. 

The 33-year-old regained his previously stolen mask on Saturday’s AEW Collision by defeating Buddy Matthews in a ladder match. However, it appears Andrade still has a score to settle with the faction. He took to Twitter on Monday to call out Malakai Black for AEW All In. 

I want the next one!!! I would like to see you face to face at All In London because you are European and it is with your people. Mexico vs Netherlands. @AEW #ALLIN #AEW #London

Andrade’s program with House of Black has been a featured part of AEW Collision since the debut show in June. He defeated Matthews on the first episode and Brody King via DQ the following week. After his victory on Saturday, Andrade is now 3-0 since making his return. 

Andrade and Black’s rivalry dates back to 2017 in NXT. Black defeated Andrade at NXT TakeOver: Orlando on April 1, 2017, and then took the NXT Championship from him a year later at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7, 2018. Black then defeated Andrade for a third straight time 10 months later on SmackDown in the same building as their title match the previous year.

Andrade and Black also teamed together at Full Gear 2021 in a loss to Cody Rhodes and PAC. 

Malakai Black requested to be exclusive to AEW Collision

Posted on by Ian Carey

Malakai Black says he’s an AEW Collision guy. 

His House of Black stable has been featured on AEW’s Saturday night show since it debuted last month. Black said during an appearance on Bobby Fish’s podcast recently that he asked AEW to make him exclusive to Collision. 

I requested to be strictly on Collision. Because I don’t want people to get the pick, it’s like, no, Saturday night I get to see The House of Black, that’s what I wanted. Because if I give you the option for Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, you’re going to go, ‘It doesn’t really matter,'” Black said to Fish.

Black also spoke to Fish about the atmosphere at the first episode of Collision. 

“That first Collision, everything felt great. The atmosphere was great. Everybody was excited, motivated, and it was just a good experience overall. It was a very, very fun day,” Black said. 

House of Black has been involved in a storyline with Andrade El Idolo on the show. Buddy Matthews was defeated by Andrade on the first edition of Collision three weeks ago. Brody King lost via DQ to Andrade the following week but House of Black then stole Andrade’s mask after the match. The trio then taunted Andrade with his mask during a backstage segment on the 7/1 edition of the show. 

Malakai Black hasn’t wrestled since Double or Nothing on 5/27 when the House of Black retained the AEW Trios titles against The Acclaimed. 

AEW Rampage live results: Sammy Guevara vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Posted on by Joseph Collins

AEW will have their entry into a busy Friday night with a new edition of Rampage, headlined by Sammy Guevara taking on Konosuke Takeshita.

Guevara is trying to position himself for an AEW World title match with MJF along with the other “pillars” that includes “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Darby Allin. Perry picked up a victory Wednesday over Matt Hardy.

Takeshita is looking for his fifth straight win in his first singles meeting with Guevara since 2018.

Malakai Black and Brody King (The Kings of the Black Throne) will take a break from trios competition as they face Best Friends.

Taya Valkyrie will look to go 3-0 in AEW as she takes on Marina Shafir in hopes of a future TBS title match with Jade Cargill.

Juice Robinson will strive for his sixth straight AEW win as he faces Action Andretti ahead of his clash with Ricky Starks this Wednesday.

**********

Taped from St. Louis, Missouri.

Jim Ross, Excalibur, Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.

Sammy Guevara (w/ Tay Melo) defeated Konosuke Takeshita (9:44)

“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Dabry Allin were shown watching the match from the back. Takeshita hit his flying lariat and mocked Guevara’s pose. Guevara countered a suplex attempt with a knee to the head, then hung Takeshita up in the ropes and hit a senton. Takeshita tried to set up Guevara for an avalanche German superplex, but Geuvara escaped and dropkicked Takeshita, who was hanging in the ropes.

After a commercial, Takeshita dropped Guevara with a brainbuster. Guevara countered a running knee strike. Takeshita gave Guevara a release German suplex while on his knees. Guevara flipped out of a deadlift German suplex and caught Takeshita with a Spanish fly for a near fall. Guevara missed a shooting star press, but hit a Canadian destoryer for a near fall. Takeshita hit a blue thunder bomb for a near fall.

Both guys fought up to the top rope. Takeshita hit an avalanche German suplex form the top, then followed up with a lariat for a near fall. Melo grabbed Takeshita’s leg to distract Takeshita, and Guevara ran in with a knee strike. Guevara then hit the GTH on Takeshita to get the pinfall. Guevara needed to win, but Takehsita really didn’t need another loss.

– QTV segment. This was cringeworthy. They mocked Wardlow again. Marshall is using a suplex into a sitout powerbomb as his new finisher; footage of this from Dark was shown. Let’s get to the point where Wardlow destroys these guys already. 

– Earlier today, Ethan Page signed the contract for a match with Hook next Wednesday in Long Island. Matt Hardy drew up the paperwork (since Stokley Hathaway is MIA), and Page has no idea how any of that works. Matt winks to the camera while Page signs, so I’m sure there’s no shenanigans there. 

Brody King & Malakai Black (w/ Julia Hart) went to a no contest with The Best Friends (8:15 aired)

Trent Beretta and Black started out, and Beretta hit a nice standing meteora. Chuck Taylor got the tag and Black destroyed him with knee strikes. Brody King got the tag and floored Taylor with a clothesline. The fight went to the floor to usher in a split-screen break.

Beretta got the hot tag after the commercial. He suplexed Black and hit King with a spinning DDT. Beretta took out King with a tope con hilo, then came off the top with a shotgun dropkick on Black for a near fall. Black hit Beretta with a knee, but the Best Friends hit the half-and-half/soul food combination. They tried to give the people what they want, but King charged in to break that up. King caught Beretta going for a plancha and chokeslammed him against the ring apron. King powerbombed Taylor through a ringside table. Beretta hit King with a chair, and Black hit Beretta with a chair, and the referee called for a bell. With no winner declared, I beleive the match was thrown out.

Orange Cassidy tried to run to help his Best Friends, but Buddy Murphry cut him off. Cassidy tried for the Orange Punch on Murphy, but Murphy blocked it with his title belt, injuring Cassidy’s hand. King and Black delivered Dante’s Inferno on Taylor. The crowd chanted for the House of Black as they left. 

Later in the show, it is annoucned The House of Black will defend the World Trios titles against Orange Cassidy & The Best Friends on Dynamite Wednesday. 

– Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland exchanged pre-recorded barbs at each other. Swerve thinks he’s a mogul, but if Lee puts Swerve six feet under, will that just make him an underground rapper? That was a good line from Lee. 

Taya Valkyrie defeated Marina Shafir (2:37)

The ring announcer said “we have a problem” when Marina Shafir came out. Jade Cargill and her crew came out to watch the match while Valkyrie and Shafir struggled over an armlock. Shafir and Valkyrie didn’t feel like they were on the same page here. After a long two minutes, Valkyrie hit the Road to Valhalla to get the pinfall.

After the match, Mark Sterling sent his legal processor down to give Valkyrie a restraining order to keep her from using the move. Of course, Valkyrie gave the process server the Road to Valhalla too. Cargill actually sold here and tried to charge at Valkyrie, but Sterling and Leila Grey held her back.

– Anna Jay cut a promo on Julia Hart and promised to choke her out. 

Juice Robinson defeated Action Andretti (9:05)

Last week, Robinson cut a promo where he said he didn’t want to wrestle in Missouri. And tonight, he wrestled in Missouri. Andretti caught Robinson with a tornio for a near fall before the commercial.

After a break, Robinson gave Andretti a stomach breaker, then buried a knee into his midsection. Robinson continued to call Andretti “Ricky” throughout the match because he’s so focused on Ricky Starks next Wednesday. Andretti came back with a forearm and elbow and a flurry of kicks that sent Robinson to the floor. Andretti followed him out with a tope. Andretti hit an Arabian Press on the floor, then a springboard lariat in the ring. Andretti hit a spinning DDT for a near fall. Juice caught Andretti with a leg lariat, then hit his forward DDT (The Juice is Loose) for the pinfall.

After the match, Robinson set up Andretti for the roshambeaux, but Ricky Starks ran him off to end the show. 

Final Thoughts: 

This was the very definition of a throwaway show. There’s a million hours of wrestling on this weekend; you don’t need to carve any time out of your schedule to watch this. 

Malakai Black denies release, says he’ll return to AEW ‘pretty soon’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Malakai Black took to social media to deny reports he had been granted a release from AEW.

Black went live on Instagram Monday night, denying reports about being granted a conditional release. He pointed to his original comments on September 18 about taking time off, saying he had put the word “release” in quotation marks. He later made it clear he was remaining with AEW after taking some time off.

“That is false,” he said in regards to getting a conditional release. “I don’t know why you trust these people to tell you the truth. Because it’s not true.”

He said that he had been given time off by Tony Khan, and speculation about his release being “confirmed” was not true.

“It’s not confirmed. Clearly it’s not confirmed. None of it has been confirmed because I haven’t left,” Black said. “I’ve been given time off by Tony Khan to take care of a bunch of stuff. All this stuff was weeks ago. I posted that statement as a summary to understand why I [am taking] some time off. It is in the statement. It’s mind boggling.”

“I will see you guys in a couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months,” he later added. Like I said, I’m only taking some time off…there’s nothing going on. I’m fine. I’m going to be fine. Everything’s fine. You’ll see me right back in AEW pretty soon. I’m just going to take some time, that’s it.”

https://twitter.com/BRAlNBUSTAH/status/1574616502111768589

Black also clarified he did not have a five year deal. Additionally, he said he had received at least two death threats regarding the reports of his release.

Black last wrestled for AEW at All Out earlier this month, where he, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews lost to Miro, Sting, and Darby Allin. Speculation regarding Buddy Matthews’ status with AEW also emerged after saying he “needed to go away for a while” at a recent independent show.