Malakai Black has been apparently granted his release from AEW, according to Fightful Select, which says that numerous talent informed them that they have been told that Black has been released and is done with the company for the foreseeable future.
Black reportedly asked for his release recently. PWInsider said that Black has been going through a “personal situation” and has “privately talked about taking a long, perhaps permanent, break from professional wrestling, in order to deal with the issues.”
Black’s release, if true, is “highly conditional,” Fightful says, with conditions that may prevent him from wrestling elsewhere, or presumably at least WWE, anytime soon.
AEW made efforts to salvage the situation with Black recently, but a meeting took place some time recently and it was decided that if Black wanted out, they should probably allow it, Fightful added.
Following his match at All Out on Sunday, Black blew a kiss to the crowd and bowed, seemingly signaling his exit.
Black reportedly had about four years left on his AEW contract.

TNA Impact! Notes: Ash By Elegance Gets Physical, Trey Miguel Returns & Signed New Contract, Miguel, Eric Young, Steve Maclin, & Eddie Edwards Wins Feast or Fired Briefcases, Bear Bronson & Cedric Alexander Revealed as Newest Members of The System, The System Turns on JDC & Moose, 1/29 Show Card
WWE RAW Results – Jan. 26, 2026 – Bron Breakker Returns From Suspension, The New Day vs. Alpha Academy vs. Los Americanos vs. American Made
WWE: Seth Rollins on His Rehab for Shoulder Surgery Has Been “Way Worse” Than His Knee Injury Rehab in 2015, Rumor Killer on Chris Jericho Making WWE Return at 1/23 WWE SmackDown Show, WWE Files New Trademark




