As previously reported, Aleister Black was among those released by WWE on Friday as part of their latest roster cuts. His release has sparked speculation about a possible return to AEW; however, his journey back to All Elite Wrestling may not be as straightforward as it appears.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, the feedback he received regarding Black’s potential return to AEW has been largely negative. While he did not speak directly to Tony Khan, he mentioned that Andrade had a mixed reaction, with some people in AEW expressing strong disapproval of him, while others were more supportive.
Meltzer emphasized that the reactions concerning Black have also been predominantly negative, with some individuals publicly voicing their disapproval of his potential return. AEW star Shawn Dean, who also serves as the promotion’s Extras Coordinator, publicly expressed his opposition. When someone on Threads suggested that Black might return to AEW after his WWE release, Dean simply replied, “No.”
Aleister Black recently returned to WWE on SmackDown following WrestleMania 41 after a four-year stint with AEW, where he performed as Malakai Black. He initially began with a singles program against Cody Rhodes but later transitioned to multi-person matches after forming the House of Black. His time in AEW was reportedly marred by claims from colleagues regarding his reluctance to put others over and frequent injuries, though he addressed and refuted those narratives last year.