Aleister Black Denies False Narratives About AEW Run
Malakai Black Addresses AEW Exit,Denies “False Narratives”
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Malakai Black,formerly known as Aleister Black in AEW,has broken his silence regarding his departure from the promotion in February,addressing widespread speculation about his tenure. Speaking on The Ringer’s Masked Man show, Black vehemently denied claims that he was unhappy in AEW, reluctant to lose matches, or possessed a poor attitude.
House of Black and Speculation
Upon signing with AEW in July 2021, Black quickly established the formidable House of Black faction alongside Buddy Matthews, Brody King, and Julia Hart. Though, following his exit, rumors began to surface concerning his health, a supposed unwillingness to put others over, and a generally negative disposition towards the company.
Black directly refuted these narratives, stating, “One of the things, they’re like, ‘Oh, he never wanted to be in AEW.’ that’s entirely false. That’s absolutely not true,” he asserted. “I had a great time in AEW. I had a lot of fun. did I do everything that I wanted to do? No, but that’s okay. Because at the end of the day, it’s not my company. I don’t have any say.”
He further elaborated on the perception of his willingness to lose,questioning the logic behind such assumptions. “And it’s the same way for all the, ‘He didn’t want to lay down for people.’ If you really think that I have so much pull in the company that I can say who I’m not going to go up against or lay down against, you think I’m going to not, like, vouch for myself and put myself in the main events and stuff? You think I’m going to politic for - oh, I’m not going to lay down for this person.”
Health and Creative Direction
Black also clarified the status of his health, dismissing concerns stemming from a previous back injury and a minor knee issue. He explained that his limited singles competition in AEW was a result of AEW President Tony Khan’s strong focus on the House of black as a trios unit. Khan, Black revealed, was ”very adamant” about the faction competing primarily in trios matches.
A Calculated Business decision: the WWE Return
Addressing his decision to return to WWE, Black described it as a “calculated business decision.” He emphasized that the move was based on a careful evaluation of what both parties desired from the partnership.
“I looked at what I wanted to do, where I wanted to do it, and how I wanted to do it,” Black explained. “‘Well, this is where my wife [Zelina Vega] was.’ Listening to option A with what they wanted me to do, listening to option B with what they wanted to do, and I picked the one that business-wise made sense for me. And also where my heart lay more in terms of, well, I feel I have a lot left that I want to do here. And I know on this side, this is what they want me to do.And that doesn’t completely align with what I want to do at this moment. So I’m going to go the other way.”
This candid discussion offers a clearer perspective on Malakai Black’s AEW experience and his strategic career choices, aiming to set the record straight on the narratives that have circulated since his departure.