An AEW name is already speaking out against the idea of Aleister Black heading back to the company after his WWE release—and it’s shutting down fan speculation fast.
After reports revealed that Black was among the names released—alongside Kairi Sane and Alba Fyre—fans immediately started speculating about a possible AEW return. Given his previous run there as Malakai Black and his connection to the House of Black, the idea of a reunion quickly picked up steam.
One fan even suggested bringing the group back together by adding Zelina Vega into the mix. That’s when AEW talent coordinator Shawn Dean stepped in—and didn’t leave any room for interpretation.
“No.”
That one-word response immediately shut down the reunion talk. With that, Dean made it clear he isn’t on board with the idea of bringing Aleister Black back into AEW, at least in the way fans were imagining.
The timing makes the reaction even more notable. Black had been active on WWE television throughout 2026, including a recent appearance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 17 episode of SmackDown. His release caught attention precisely because he was still being used on TV, even if he wasn’t in a major storyline.
Now, with AEW seemingly not pushing for his return—at least publicly—the conversation around Black’s next move has shifted. Instead of a straightforward comeback, his future suddenly looks a lot less predictable.
Where do you think Aleister Black should go next after Shawn Dean’s response—and would you still want to see a House of Black reunion somewhere down the line? Let us know your thoughts.