Malakai Black Requests AEW Release

Malakai Black recently celebrated his one-year anniversary with All Elite Wrestling, but things aren’t as happy as they seem between the two parties.

Fans were shocked when Malakai Black, the former Aleister Black and Tommy End, appeared on the 7 July 2021 broadcast of Dynamite. This came just over a month after he was let go from WWE, with an error on WWE’s part hilariously having Black serving the NXT non-compete clause length, rather than the main roster’s.

‘The Dutch Destroyer’, however, is alleged to have asked for his AEW release. This comes via Wrestling Inc.’s Raj Giri, who reported that Black had reportedly expressed concerns over his mental health since joining the promotion. It’s believed that the request for release has been denied.

I heard an AEW star requested their release, and follow up sources indicate it was Malakai Black. He reportedly has repeatedly shown concerns about his mental health due to personal life and demoralization due to the booking and handling of his character. (1)

— Raj Giri (@TheRajGiri) September 2, 2022

Fightful Select had initially reported that Malakai Black was unhappy, owing to issues raised being “smoothed over”. His status with the company remains unknown, just two days before he’s scheduled to compete at All Out.

Black’s AEW run thus far has been divisive, with many being conflicted with regards to his House of Black stable. He’s recruited Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart to the group this year, but their booking has been nothing to write home about. He, King, and Matthews will be the trio competing on Sunday vs. Darby Allin, Sting, and Miro.

2022 has already seen a number of performers leave AEW, including Cody and Brandi Rhodes, Joey Janela, and The Dark Order’s Stu Grayson and Alan Angels. Bobby Fish was the latest to depart just yesterday.