A new report has claimed that Malakai Black has asked to leave AEW.
Following reports of locker room unrest it has now been reported that Malakai Black has requested his release from AEW a little over a year since joining the company.
As noted by Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc, Black has expressed concerns about his mental health due to his personal life and displeasure over the way that his character has been presented.
“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.”
In a follow up Tweet, Giri explained that AEW had been contacted for comment, but none had been forthcoming at time of writing. Giri added that the request from Black has not been granted.
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)
— Raj Giri (@TheRajGiri) September 2, 2022
There have been conflicting reports around Malakai Black in recent days, with a recent update from Fightful Select suggesting that while the star was unhappy any issues had been “smoothed over to some degree.” Interestingly, the report was also unable to confirm Black’s status when reaching out to AEW.
Malakai Black signed with AEW in July 2021, before debuting on Dynamite on July 7th by attacking Cody Rhodes and Arn Anderson. In 2022, Black has recruited Brody King and Buddy Matthews into his stable of destruction known as the House of Black.
The trio are set to meet Sting, Darby Allin and Miro at All Out on September 4th.
Black joined AEW after being released by WWE following a five-year stint with the company. Upon becoming All Elite, Black signed a five-year deal with the company, which has four years left to run.
News of Malakai Black’s unrest comes just days after it was reported that Bobby Fish is “done” with AEW.