Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite show in Manchester, New Hampshire featured Adam Cole defeating Malakai Black in a singles match to put Cole at two wins in a row for the terms of MJF’s stipulation to get a match against him at AEW Full Gear 2024.
This match was notable for the post-match moment involving Cole and Black embracing in a hug in the ring and Cole giving his respect to Black as Black stood on the stage soaking in the ovation from the crowd before walking to the back. This quickly led to online speculation of Black leaving AEW very soon.
Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that he has not been able to confirm anything about the end of the match nor if it was meant to be Black’s farewell from AEW from his sources.
Sapp reported that the word backstage in AEW in recent months was that Black’s contract was believed to expire towards the end of 2024 or in early 2025 if the option years were not picked up on AEW’s side.
Sapp reported that AEW CEO Tony Khan had mentioned in 2022 that Black’s contract with the company was for five years in length but this included the option years.
Sapp also reported that the current expectation is that Black will not be retiring once his contract with AEW expires.
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