AEW Star Issues Statement On Rumored Departure

This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite took place from the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH and the show featured a big singles match as Malakai Black faced off against Adam Cole. Near the end of the match Malakai Black invited Cole to hit him with his finisher and then he showed respect to Cole after the match.

Some fans speculated that the segment could have been done as a send off for Malakai Black. Fightful Select later reported that Black’s contract with AEW could potentially expire at the end of 2024, or early 2025, if the company does not exercise the options in the contract. However, it was noted that Black is not planning on retiring, and that there’s no confirmation he would indeed be leaving the company.

Recently Malakai Black took to social media to address rumors about his status. Black confirmed that he’s not injury, and he’s not leaving AEW when he posted the following:

“I’m not injured nor am I retiring or am I leaving. I feel this happens every match I have, and I don’t understand how many times you’re going to say these things and then them not happening and people are still going to fall for that. I haven’t been injured in more than three years. And I’m referring to my back injury of course, and I only posted about that after it was already done. And if you would have read the post, you would have seen that and not read what other people have written about it.

“I’m fine, I’ve been fine for the longest time. I would really appreciate it if that stuff stops, man. If I’m going to retire, you’re going to hear it from me and not after Adam just cuts a promo just as a thank you for the match. Because that’s all it was. So, thank you.”