Tag: Malakai Black

Mysterious Return Teased for SmackDown – Is Aleister Black on His Way Back to WWE?

WWE might be gearing up for a major return next week on SmackDown, and all signs point to a familiar—and ominous—presence making his comeback.

During this week’s post-WrestleMania edition of SmackDown, fans were treated to the latest in a series of cryptic video packages that have been airing for weeks. But unlike the earlier teases, this one came with a clear date: April 25, 2025. The brief video flashed eerie images, including a masked figure bearing arcane symbols and an empty chair surrounded by flickering candles—classic dark, unsettling visuals that longtime fans might recognize as the calling card of Aleister Black.

The tease didn’t end there. After the video faded out, cameras cut to Zelina Vega—Black’s real-life wife—sitting on the turnbuckle and smiling knowingly. Vega was quietly moved to SmackDown in January, a move that at the time raised some eyebrows. Now, it’s looking more and more like WWE was laying the groundwork for Black’s return all along. The company often keeps real-life couples aligned on the same brand, which adds further fuel to the fire.

For fans who’ve been out of the loop, Black has spent the last few years in AEW under the name Malakai Black, leading the macabre faction known as the House of Black. His AEW run ended earlier this year after he reportedly requested his release due to creative differences. He was one of several notable names released around the same time, including former TNT Champion Miro (FKA Rusev) and rising star Ricky Saints (previously known as Ricky Starks), who was the reigning NXT North American Champion at the time of his departure.

Interestingly, both Miro and Black were heavily rumored to be potential last-minute replacements for Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 41 in a match against Randy Orton. With Black’s teased return date set for the SmackDown after WrestleMania, it looks like WWE decided to hold off on the surprise—possibly setting up a big post-Mania storyline instead.

Whether he arrives as the same man we last saw—or with a brand-new look and even darker edge—one thing is clear: the WWE Universe should brace itself for the return of something sinister next Friday.

WWE Drops Mysterious Teasers—Are Rey Fenix & Aleister (Malakai) Black on Their Way?

Over the past few months, speculation has been running wild about former AEW stars making the jump to WWE. But few names have generated as much buzz as Malakai Black and Rey Fenix. Now, WWE has seemingly added fuel to the fire with two cryptic video packages that aired during SmackDown this past Friday—both of which have fans convinced that these two stars are on their way.

A Flash of Lightning—Is Rey Fenix WWE-Bound?

The first teaser was brief but packed with intrigue. The video opened with a crack of orange lightning before revealing a shadowy figure perched atop a turnbuckle. With eerie ambient noise buzzing in the background, the screen flashed again, and just like that—it was over.

Despite lasting only six seconds, the imagery was enough to send social media into a frenzy, with many speculating that the vignette was hinting at the arrival of Rey Fenix. The former AEW star, best known for his jaw-dropping high-flying abilities alongside his brother Penta as part of the Lucha Brothers, reportedly finished his AEW contract in early March.

The big question now is: If this is indeed a teaser for Fenix, will he be joining Penta on Raw, or will he be making his mark as a solo star on SmackDown?

A Cryptic Number—Is Aleister Black Making His WWE Return?

While Fenix’s vignette was mysterious, the second teaser was even more cryptic. It began with swirling grey smoke over a black background before a pulsating white “4” appeared at the center of the screen. The sixteen-second clip then abruptly cut to black.

This immediately led to speculation that Malakai Black—formerly known as Aleister Black in WWE—could be making his long-awaited return. The number “4” could signify several things, including his ties to the occult-inspired “House of Black” faction in AEW or his previous WWE character’s fascination with symbolism and darkness.

Black, who was released by WWE in 2021, had a memorable run in NXT and a solid, albeit short-lived, main roster stint before his departure. His last WWE match was a brutal no-disqualification loss to Kevin Owens on Raw in 2020. Now, with rumors swirling that he parted ways with AEW in January, fans are wondering if he’s set to rejoin WWE—potentially alongside his wife, Zelina Vega, who currently wrestles for the company.

What’s Next?

With WrestleMania season behind us and WWE entering a new creative phase, it wouldn’t be surprising to see major signings debut in the coming weeks. If these vignettes are truly hinting at Fenix and Black’s arrivals, WWE could be setting up two major shake-ups for the SmackDown brand.

Until then, fans will be keeping a close eye on the next set of teasers—because if WWE has taught us anything, it’s that the best surprises are always just around the corner.

Malakai Black, Ricky Starks And Miro Depart AEW: What’s Next for These Stars?

The wrestling world has seen a wave of roster shake-ups lately, and AEW is no exception. Following a series of WWE releases, it has now been confirmed that three notable AEW names—Miro, Malakai Black, and Ricky Starks—are no longer with the company. Even more intriguing, they are free to sign and compete anywhere immediately, as their contracts do not include non-compete clauses.

According to Fightful Select, AEW removed all three from its official roster page on Monday, signaling their official departure. Let’s break down the situation for each of these now-former AEW stars.

Malakai Black’s Unexpected Exit

Black’s AEW run seemed poised for longevity, with AEW President Tony Khan previously suggesting his contract could keep him with the company until 2027. However, reports indicate that Black was actually finished with AEW as early as January—well before the Royal Rumble. AEW has already adjusted creatively, repackaging Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart from the House of Black into a new stable, the Hounds of Hell.

Given Black’s reputation as a unique in-ring performer and storyteller, speculation will likely swirl about a potential WWE return—especially considering his past as Aleister Black and his connections in the company.

Miro’s AEW Run Fizzles Out

Once one of AEW’s most dominant forces, Miro had been missing from action for quite some time. Despite being healthy, he wrestled only a handful of matches in 2023 and had not been included in creative discussions for at least six months. Reports indicate that Miro actually requested his release back in September, which means his exit may have been in the works for a while.

Originally signing a long-term contract extension in 2022, Miro was expected to remain with AEW until 2026. However, his absence from TV and lack of creative direction made his departure seem inevitable. Now, the question is whether Miro—formerly known as Rusev in WWE—will head back to his old stomping grounds or explore opportunities elsewhere.

Ricky Starks: A Frustrated Star Moves On

Perhaps the most surprising departure is Ricky Starks, who had long been considered a rising star in AEW. According to reports, Starks asked AEW not to pick up his contract’s option year in late 2023. However, AEW did the opposite—exercising the option but then not utilizing him on TV.

Starks reportedly requested his release in January, and his situation was further complicated when he was pulled from GCW events due to backstage friction. Despite this, Starks managed to make headlines over the weekend by winning the DEFY World Championship from KENTA just before his AEW release became public.

What’s Next?

With no contractual restrictions holding them back, Miro, Black, and Starks have the freedom to appear anywhere at any time. Could we see one—or all—of them make surprise appearances in WWE, NJPW, or even TNA? The industry is wide open, and their next moves will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and promoters alike.

For now, one thing is certain: AEW’s landscape continues to shift, and these departures could lead to major shake-ups across the wrestling world.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!

Malakai Black Reportedly Done With AEW, Can’t Appear At WWE Royal Rumble

After months of speculation surrounding his status, Malakai Black—known to WWE fans as Aleister Black and to independent wrestling followers as Tommy End—has reportedly wrapped up his time with AEW. According to a report from PWInsider, sources within AEW confirmed that Black has finished up with the promotion, with no plans for a farewell appearance.

This development comes after weeks of storyline hints suggesting Black’s exit from the House of Black faction, the dominant group he helped form and lead. While AEW has yet to make an official announcement, the report strongly suggests Black’s tenure with the company has quietly come to an end.

No WWE Return Just Yet

Naturally, rumors are swirling about a potential return to WWE, where Black had a memorable run in NXT as a former NXT Champion and Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winner. However, PWInsider noted that Black won’t be available in time to make a surprise appearance at next week’s Royal Rumble. Instead, he’s expected to become a free agent sometime in February or March, giving him plenty of time to decide his next move.

For those keeping tabs on Black’s personal life, his wife, Zelina Vega, is still an active member of WWE’s roster, adding another layer of intrigue to his potential return to the company.

Speculation About His AEW Exit

Black’s departure has been the subject of fan discussion for some time, fueled in part by his uncharacteristic post-match display of emotion after facing Adam Cole in AEW. The two, who share a history from their time together in WWE’s NXT, shared what appeared to be a heartfelt moment following their match—a rare departure from Black’s usually stoic and dark character. This fueled questions about his status in AEW, with rumors suggesting his creative dissatisfaction and a shorter-than-expected contract were factors in his exit.

Black originally joined AEW in mid-2021 after being released by WWE earlier that year. Though his AEW debut came with significant fanfare, his time in the company saw limited singles action. In total, Black wrestled just 15 singles matches during his tenure, losing only three, but his creative focus was largely on the House of Black faction.

What’s Next for Malakai Black?

While it’s unclear where Black will land next, fans are already speculating about his potential future in WWE. With Triple H now at the helm of WWE’s creative direction, a return to the company could provide Black the opportunity to pick up where he left off and possibly revisit the more prominent role he had in NXT.

If he does return to WWE, Black’s dark and striking persona would be a perfect fit for the current landscape of the company’s storytelling, where characters like Bray Wyatt and The Judgment Day are thriving.

Whether he chooses WWE, the independent circuit, or another promotion entirely, one thing is certain: Malakai Black’s blend of in-ring skill and theatrical presence makes him one of wrestling’s most compelling talents. Fans will be eagerly awaiting his next move.

Is Malakai Black Leaving AEW? Speculation Surrounds Former Trios Champion’s Future

The wrestling world is buzzing with rumors that former AEW World Trios Champion Malakai Black may be on his way out of All Elite Wrestling. A new report from Fightful Select suggests that Black might be finishing up with AEW, though no official confirmation has been made. This speculation comes despite earlier statements indicating Black’s AEW contract would run through 2027.

Contract Confusion

Black’s contract status has been the subject of intense discussion for months. According to Fightful, Black’s deal was initially reported to expire in early 2025, with additional option years built in. However, AEW President Tony Khan previously stated that Black was locked in until 2027, raising questions about whether an option year was declined or if Black sought an early exit.

Adding fuel to the fire, Black’s House of Black teammate Buddy Matthews recently faced Will Ospreay on AEW Dynamite. Following the match, Ospreay delivered a promo encouraging Matthews to aim for singles gold, even offering to stand in his corner if needed. Some fans saw this as a potential hint at a shake-up within the faction, though no direct mention of Black was made.

WWE Connection and Speculation

Rumors of Malakai Black returning to WWE have been swirling for some time, especially after Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over creative responsibilities in WWE. Black has publicly praised Triple H, and WWE is reportedly interested in bringing him back to the fold. His wife, Zelina Vega, is currently a prominent member of WWE’s Raw roster, which has only added to the speculation.

Back in September, similar rumors about Black’s AEW departure emerged but were ultimately debunked when he returned to AEW programming. As of now, Black is still listed on AEW’s official roster page, but Fightful noted they were unable to confirm whether his contract has been terminated, renewed, or altered in any way.

What’s Next for Malakai Black?

If Black does leave AEW, the move could have significant implications for both AEW and WWE. Black’s dark, enigmatic persona has been a standout feature of AEW programming, particularly as the leader of the House of Black. His potential departure could signal a shift in AEW’s roster dynamics and storylines. Meanwhile, a WWE return would mark an intriguing chapter in Black’s career, especially under Triple H’s creative direction.

For now, fans will have to wait and see how the story unfolds. Whether he stays with AEW or moves on, one thing is certain: Malakai Black remains one of the most compelling figures in professional wrestling today. Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for updates on this developing story.

Malakai Black Reveals He Is Dealing With A Slight Calf Tear & Knee Hyperextension

Malakai Black addressed fans’ concerns about his rumored injury, which was speculated to be the reason for his absence from singles matches in AEW in recent months.

Black’s last match was when House of Black lost the Trios Titles to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn at All In. In a video on his Instagram story, Black confirmed that he does not have a back injury, but he is currently managing a minor calf tear and knee hyperextension.

“Something that I want to quickly address. I understand this is done from a perspective of caring, and I appreciate the fact that people care and that it comes from a good place. About a year ago, I made a video about rehabbing a back injury that I have. The video shows the process and strengthening my back. After the video was posted, people started bringing up this idea, ‘Oh, he has a bad back, therefore, ABC,’ which is not the case at all. For some reason, that has found its way back and the narrative is ‘he has not had singles matches because he has a bad back and nearly retired.’ That’s not true. Why I’m not having singles matches? I don’t know. I think it’s because they want House of Black to do six-mans. I was not in six-mans to hide a non-existing injury. Rest assured, I do not have a bad back and the reason I am home right now is because, well, due to a minor injury. I had a slight calf tear and a hyperextension in my knee, which is almost nursed back and almost ready to go back on the road. I appreciate the concern, but the reality is, I’m fine, and you will see me sooner rather than later,” he stated.

https://twitter.com/wrestlingsdeity/status/1706916845435888084

Source: eWn

Tony Khan Reportedly Refusing to Release Any AEW Talent

After an AEW wrestler informed the company that a WWE representative had contacted them about the possibility of returning to WWE, the company reportedly sent an email to WWE co-CEOs Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon warning them “not to tamper” with their talent.

Malakai Black has now denied the claims that he wanted to be released from his contract after it was later revealed that he had made a request. After Triple H took over creative duties from Vince McMahon a number of months ago, WWE reached out to numerous members of AEW, including Black, FTR, and Swerve Strickland, to inquire about the possibility of returning to the company.

Dave Meltzer revealed the news that AEW President Tony Khan will not be releasing anyone during his appearance on today’s episode of Wrestling Observer Radio.

“Nobody’s getting released, that’s the doctrine. [AEW President] Tony Khan made that very clear I guess in the last couple of days. So now it’s just, [Malakai Black’s] not being released, Buddy Matthews isn’t being released. Now they may be back sooner than before. They were wanting to go and trying to get a way out.

It’s not to say it’s hard and fast, and there’d be no way they’d never give anybody a release. But I think it’s pretty much the deal that if this happened in any other company, would those people get releases, and the answer is no. They signed the contract, so basically now their option is to sit at home – and [Tony Khan] can extend the contract if they sit at home – or wrestle. So now they’re gonna wrestle. He [Malakai Black] waved goodbye and now he’s coming back and he’s gonna blame me.”

“They really came after [Tony Khan], it’s pretty blatant that [WWE] came after so many of the guys. Basically everyone who had worked there, there might be an exception, every name that you would think of that had a previous relationship with Triple H was contacted and told to ‘try and get your release and come in.’ Several went to Tony and said, ‘they’re contacting us we have no intention of going’ and several said ‘we want the release’ and have been told no.”

You can listen to the audio below:

Source: PWMania

Malakai Black Denies Reports Of AEW Release, Says He’s Received Death Threats

Malakai Black took to Instagram to make a statement about the recent reports he has been released by AEW.

Black said he will be back soon. He also noted that he has received death threats.

He had previously stated that he had asked for his release, saying that he need time off to recalibrate.

Black said the following in his live statement on Instagram.

“Some people can’t seem to just shut the fuck up and create things that are not there, so I have to go out here again and have a conversation with you guys. So guys, how many times do I have to tell people to not trust people that are not in this business? If you can’t even get the years of my contract right, which is a very minuscule detail, then how are you expecting or how are people expecting these guys to know very intimate and private detailing in regards to my private business? My contract’s not five years, my contract’s never been five years. This is all bullshit, it’s all lies. So you know, I posted a statement and you, of course all of you, have read my statement, because even if you read my statement, it clearly reads that even release is in quotations. Now, if you don’t know what quotation means, it means that the author does not agree with said quote or said word choice. Or it also means that it’s not his wording. Then it is followed by a bunch of multiple things, in regards to my marital stuff, but it even says that my stuff about my conditional release, that it’s false. So how are you guys still thinking like, why are people still writing that I’ve got my release? Guys, I don’t know, why do you trust these people to tell you the truth? Because it’s not true. In a time where I’m supposed to take care of myself and kind of wind down, I have to deal with this kind of stupid bullshit from people who are not in the business and pretending that they are in the business with all their sources. You know, the worst thing about it is, for the past three days, [I’ve been getting] hateful comments and today, even two death threats. Death threats? Death threats? You wish death upon a person because of what someone else had said, and then says that it’s confirmed. It’s not confirmed. Clearly it’s not confirmed. None of it’s confirmed. There’s no confirmation because I haven’t left. That’s what this whole thing was about. I’ve been given time off by Tony to take care of a bunch of stuff. All this stuff has been played up like weeks. All this stuff was weeks ago…

I posted that statement was a summary for you to understand why I’d take some time off. Again, it’s in the statement. It is in the statement. It’s mine-boggling, if this isn’t enough incentive for you to stop believing these people, then I don’t know what is. Because if you were part of this whole mob that, like I said, sending me a bunch of hateful comments based on the words of someone else, then sorry, but you’re dumb. You’re stupid. Does anyone understand that in the time where I’m going through this stuff and I’m kind of dealing with a bunch of stuff in a very productive manner, that exactly doesn’t help, and what I hate about it is that none of these dirt sheets will take responsibility, none of these guys will take accountability and say, ‘Oh shit, we fucked up, I’m sorry. We should have probably not said that. Oh he’s going through some stuff. Maybe we should not. Maybe we should not make all these baseless assumptions because again as it turns out, it’s not true. None of it’s true. Not one single thing of it is true.

So again, if you were part of this mob that felt the need to send me death threats, well, then thank you dirtsheets because they don’t care about my mental health. They don’t care about your mental health. They don’t care about your feelings, they don’t care about my wife, they don’t care about my family. They don’t give a shit. All they want is dumb clicks with stuff that they’re making up. Because they’re tying bridges between things that are no longer there, they’re tying things… that don’t exist. Because they want the narrative to exist. But again, I’m sure, tomorrow there will be a different narrative, and tomorrow it’ll be, ‘Oh, we got the wrong information. Oh we heard it from this. Don’t blame us, we’re just reporting.’ A real person will own up to their bullshit. They will own up to their words and then say, you know what? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. If the words come out of your mouth, then you know, own it. Just own it. Anyway, I would like to very much go back to just working on my stuff, working on my private life, working on getting to the point of feeling good again. So I hope that this puts all this stuff to bed. I am definitely not going to be on my social media for a while because like my god. Again guys, stop believing these things. It is unbelievable. Anyway, I will see you guys in a couple weeks, maybe a couple of months, like I said, I’m only taking some time off. That’s it. Just taking time off. There’s no conspiracy to this. Just taking some time off. Alright. I will see you guys soon. Take care of yourself, stop believing any other narrative. Right now, I debunked it. There’s nothing going on. Don’t believe these people. Don’t write, don’t believe it, nothing. I’m fine, I’m going to be fine. Everything is fine. You’ll see me right back with AEW pretty soon. I’m just gonna take some time. That’s it.

Guys, last thing before I leave, don’t make me some instrument for this while tribalism, us versus them thing because I don’t do that stuff. I don’t do the whole Team AEW versus Team WWE. I don’t play that. To me, this is a business. This is genuinely like a business in the sense that it’s a business, it’s my job, it’s what I do for a living. This is how I’ve made my living for the past 22; 13 years of my life. I’ve been in this business since the 2000s. So thank you for those who have been supportive of me, thank you for your nice messages. Thank you for the people who clearly obviously did my statement and understood from the get-go that that means that I wasn’t released. So again thank you for the support. Thank you very much. Not true if it didn’t come from me. Even that’s said in the statement. If it doesn’t come out of my mouth, it’s not true. Now you’ve known me to be a pretty calm guy for the most part, but this shit is annoying as hell. So again take care of yourself, and we’ll see each other soon. Thank you very much.“

Transcript is courtesy of Fightful.

Source: WrestleView

Buddy Matthews Gone From AEW, Malakai Black AEW Status Update – UPDATE (Nobody’s getting released)

There have been reports that Buddy Matthews(Buddy Murphy in WWE) is believed to be on his way out of AEW. Sources say that last week’s AEW Rampage Grand Slam was Matthew’s “last night” with the company.

According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, both Matthews and Malakai Black “want to go to WWE” and wish to leave AEW. Meltzer confirmed that Matthews is indeed gone from the company. As for Black, it was reported earlier this month that he was granted a “conditional release.” One of the conditions is that he can’t compete elsewhere, specifically in WWE, for quite some time.  In a post on Instagram, Black stated that he needs a “few months to recalibrate the last two decades of [his] life.”

Source: EWrestlingNews

UPDATE

Dave Meltzer revealed the news that AEW President Tony Khan will not be releasing anyone during his appearance on today’s episode of Wrestling Observer Radio.

“Nobody’s getting released, that’s the doctrine. [AEW President] Tony Khan made that very clear I guess in the last couple of days. So now it’s just, [Malakai Black’s] not being released, Buddy Matthews isn’t being released. Now they may be back sooner than before. They were wanting to go and trying to get a way out.

Malakai Black Asked For His Release From AEW, But It Was Not Granted

Raj Giri is reporting that Malakai Black has asked for his release from AEW but it was not granted. Giri said the following on Twitter:

“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)”

There has been no public comment from AEW or Black on this story but it is worth noting that Black is one of the names that Triple H pushed in NXT and WWE has reportedly reached out to several AEW talent in recent weeks. Dave Meltzer reported the following in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter about people who were contacted:

“Regarding the talent approached by WWE, as we noted last week it was multiple people, generally the people who had worked with Paul Levesque in the past in NXT. Several told AEW which led to the legal letter sent to Levesque, Stephanie and Nick Khan. There was at least one person who asked for his release, which hasn’t been granted and the person has a long time left on his deal.”

Several of the ex-WWE talent signed with AEW have years left on their deal.

https://twitter.com/TheRajGiri/status/1565535772748521472

Source: WrestlingNews.co with credit to Raj Giri