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    Update On Relationship Between Aleister Black and AEW following WWE Release – Reports

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    A new update has surfaced about ex-WWE star Aleister Black’s relationship with AEW, following earlier reports that the promotion doesn’t want him back.

    Among the many names included in WWE’s recent releases this year, one was Aleister Black. The 40-year-old rejoined the Stamford-based promotion in 2025 after his first tenure with the sports entertainment juggernaut ended in 2021. Following his initial departure, Black joined AEW under the ring name Malakai Black and became a prominent face on AEW programming, where he won the AEW World Trios Championship once. Malakai’s All Elite Wrestling gig ended on a sour note, with reports citing backstage issues. This context helps explain the recent news that AEW talent doesn’t want the Dutch star back in the Jacksonville-based promotion now that he’s free from WWE. However, a new report has suggested that although the former NXT champion is not expected back in Tony Khan’s promotion anytime soon, bridges have not been burned.

    According to Wrestlevotes Radio, which reported via Fightful Select, sources it spoke to have ruled out Malakai Black’s return to the Jacksonville-based promotion in the near future. That said, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful has said that Black has not burned bridges with Tony Khan’s promotion.

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    WWE legend Jim Ross says Aleister Black is running out of chances

    Given the complexities, Aleister Black’s current status in professional wrestling has been debated by many industry voices. One of the more recent ones was AEW veteran Jim Ross. Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross addressed the former NXT champion’s prospects, stating that while Black could definitely get hired back to the Jacksonville-based promotion, he is running out of chances in terms of presenting himself as a reliable talent.

    “I think that his chances are running out. Trust is a big thing, man. I said this many time, reliability. Are you reliable?” JR said. “There is, I’m sure, a small faction of some in the wrestling business that believe he’s missing something. And I say that I don’t disagree with that. He’s not missing his attire, his look, his work ethic. So whatever his downfalls are, they seem to be stimulated from things outside bell-to-bell. But I like the guy. I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”

    It remains to be seen if Tony Khan will eventually re-sign Aleister Black.