Rumors have been swirling about Malakai Black's future with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) following his recent absence from the promotion. The former WWE NXT Champion, known for his enigmatic persona and leadership of The House of Black faction, hasn't been seen in AEW since November 2024.
According to reports, there is a strong belief backstage that Black may be departing AEW. This speculation was fueled by comments made by Will Ospreay on the January 8, 2025 episode of AEW Dynamite, where he suggested that Buddy Matthews no longer needed a leader, hinting at a potential rift within The House of Black.
While there has been no official confirmation of Black's departure, it is known that his contract with AEW is set to expire in early 2025. AEW President Tony Khan had previously mentioned that Black's deal included options for additional years, but it remains unclear whether these options have been exercised.
Adding to the speculation, there have been rumors that WWE is interested in reacquiring Black, who wrestled under the name Aleister Black during his tenure with the Stamford-based promotion from 2017 to 2021. WWE has reportedly shown interest in bringing him back, possibly even having him join the Wyatt Sicks faction as a sixth member.
Despite the rumors, Malakai Black's friend and fellow wrestler Justin Whang took to social media to clarify that Black is neither injured nor retiring. However, the uncertainty surrounding his contract and recent comments on Dynamite have left fans and industry insiders speculating about his future.
As of now, Malakai Black remains listed on AEW's roster page, and only time will tell if he will continue his journey with AEW or make a return to WWE. Fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on any updates regarding his status.
What are your thoughts on Malakai Black potentially leaving AEW?
