Why Malakai Black Might Finally Be Done With AEW

After an intriguing post-match promo by Will Ospreay, the AEW future of Malakai Black was back in the spotlight and it might finally be over.

On the January 8 edition of Dynamite, Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews in a hard-fought match but the headlines were made after the bout as Ospreay addressed his opponent.

Ospreay noted that Matthews – who he initially called by his WWE name of Buddy Murphy before correcting himself – and Brody King could be going after AEW tag team gold or even singles titles as he urged them to move out of Malakai Black’s shadow in The House of Black. Ospreay noted that if Matthews ever needed a partner then he had his back and the two stars shook hands.

And wouldn’t you know it, people think this segment could point to Malakai Black finally being finished with AEW.

Belief In AEW That Malakai Black Is Done

Fightful Select reported that people in AEW are of the belief that Black was finishing up with the company if he hadn’t already. There were believed to be option years in Black’s contract in 2025 but it’s possible that these have not been picked up.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer followed up on that report noting he’d also heard that those in AEW believe he’s done:

It’s been reported that Malakai’s gone and I know that the rumour backstage is that he’s gone. I did not get that confirmed but I can also say this – I did not get it denied when I asked about Malakai. Basically, it was ignored so it wasn’t denied, I’ll say that.

Rumours of Malakai Black’s AEW exit have dogged him since he joined the company in 2021. Malakai Black has previously blasted rumours about his AEW future, it remains to be seen if he’ll do the same this time around.

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