Fightful Select is reporting that Malakai Black has been granted his conditional release from AEW. It has been rumored that Black asked for his request due to personal reasons.
This is the second wave of news surrounding Black’s release from Tony Khan’s promotion. Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that Malakai Black had asked for his release and that the initial request had been denied. Previously, AEW had told Fightful on the record that Black was not gone from the company, but it appears that things have changed now that Black has been granted his release. Several talents stated that Black is done with AEW for the foreseeable future, with many saying that the former Tommy End had been released. Black’s release is rumored to be “highly conditional,” which normally is not the case with AEW. In the rare instances when talent have been released, it’s been mostly due to disciplinary reasons. Requests for release are normally handled on a case-by-case basis.
It was said that Tony Khan, president and CEO of AEW, wanted to keep Black in the company “for years to come.” Khan attempted to hold talks with Black in the hopes that he might salvage their relationship, and AEW thought the discussions were fruitful. However, after a meeting took place, AEW officials decided that if Black would be happier leaving the company, it was best to allow the move.
Regarding the conditions of Black’s release, AEW talent believe that the promotion has enacted heavy restrictions to grant the request. These likely include restrictions for Black to wrestle elsewhere in the immediate future. Related to that, Black is said to have canceled an indie booking for September 9th in Ohio. Sources within AEW noted that a return to the company is not out of the question for the leader of the House of Black.
The House of Black (Malakai alongside Buddy Matthews and Brody King) competed in a six-man tag team match against Sting, Darby Allin, and Miro at AEW’s All Out event in a losing effort. Following the bout, fans noticed Black embracing his stablemates onstage, blowing a kiss goodbye to the audience, and taking a bow, sort of like a curtain call.
