A number of AEW stars have parted ways with the company as Fightful Select is reporting that Malakai Black, Ricky Starks and Miro are no longer under contract with All Elite Wrestling. According to the report there are no non-competes associated with the releases, so all three are free to go where they want.
Tony Khan noted years ago that Malakai Black’s deal would have kept him with the company until 2027. Back in December it was reported that he was expected to leave the company, and by January the belief was that he would no longer be appearing on TV.
Miro has not wrestled for AEW since 2023 and it’s being said that potential creative for the former TNT Champion had been discussed throughout the year. He requested his release from the company a while back and had not been mentioned creatively in about six months as most everyone who spoke on the subject didn’t expect to see him back with AEW.
Back in 2022, Miro signed a long-term contract extension that would have kept him with the company until early 2026. The situation with Miro and AEW had gone radio silent in recent months, but the release is now official.
In late 2023, Ricky Starks requested that AEW not pick up the option on his contract in spring of 2024. However, AEW did pick up the option, but didn’t use Ricky Starks after. Starks was said to have been open to working with the company and seeing out the end of his deal. Originally his deal would have been up in a few months.