WWE makes decision on Malakai Black and possible return

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE’s creative team has recently been discussing Malakai Black. While his departure from AEW has not been officially confirmed, sources indicate that a return to Tony Khan’s company is unlikely.

There’s been a lot of discussion in the last couple of days about Malakai Black. Backstage indications are that he’s gone, although when attempting to confirm, nobody has been willing to speak on the record. It’s been reported elsewhere, and someone close to the situation confirmed it, but when we asked officially, there was neither confirmation nor denial. Nobody expects him to return to AEW. There have also been comments from WWE that he is expected there once his contract expires. This has been ongoing for some time, but the creative team has recently started discussing him and making plans.

Black has been with AEW for nearly four years, leading the House of Black alongside Buddy Matthews, Brody King, and Julia Hart. This Saturday, he’s scheduled to appear at a Coastal Championship Wrestling event in Florida, where he’ll face Orion.

Triple H Could Bring Malakai Black to the Royal Rumble

Malakai Black’s contractual situation with AEW remains “undefined” officially. The first signs of a shift emerged on the January 8 episode of Dynamite, where Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews and hinted that the House of Black no longer required leadership.

Black’s most recent appearance was at AEW Full Gear 2024, where he competed in a Fatal 4-Way Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship alongside Matthews.

Back in 2022, Tony Khan commented on Black’s contract status:

He still has nearly five years left on his contract.

Khan also mentioned options for extensions beyond 2025, though the current status of those clauses remains undisclosed.