If the reports are true, it seems Malakai Black wants out of AEW…and is being denied. And, there were big plans for Triple H and WrestleMania 38.
Malakai Black Wants Out Of AEW
According to a report, Malakai Black wants out of AEW.
And, according to the same report, Tony Khan declined to grant the star his release.
To be honest, if the report is credible, this could be a really tricky situation. Khan’s decision to decline the release is also concerning.
According to PWInsider, Malakai Black wants out of AEW due to unspecified mental health concerns. On top of that, he has concerns about his character and usage.
Put it all together, and Black wants out of AEW.
An additional report from the Observer provided more insight. There was no confirmation that it was indeed Black who asked out.
Meltzer actually left it open, implying that at least one star, and possibly more, asked out.
source: @wrestlingnewsco, twitter, screenshot
However, it was noted that Tony Khan declined the request for a release.
Khan, it would seem, might be concerned about releasing a talent who would then quickly show up on WWE television.
There is a lot to unpack there.
First, the dynamics within WWE have changed in a big way. Now, Superstars want back in in a way that they have not wanted in years.
Khan knows this. Seems a bit concerned, actually.
So concerned that he’s actually behaving in contradiction to prior comments. He had always said that he would not stand in the way of talent that didn’t want to be in AEW any more.
Now, he is.
What is even more concerning? According to Raj Giri (the initial source), Black is so stressed about his health concerns that he’s actually considered an extended time away from the ring.
I heard an AEW star requested their release, and follow up sources indicate it was Malakai Black. He reportedly has repeatedly shown concerns about his mental health due to personal life and demoralization due to the booking and handling of his character. (1)
— Raj Giri (@TheRajGiri) September 2, 2022
Up to and including walking away for good.
Competition be damned, if someone has that kind of issue that he’d give up his career…maybe you need to honor his request for release?
Triple H-WrestleMania 38
While it ended up never having a chance, there were big plans for triple H at WrestleMania 38, at one point.
Triple H had a wide-ranging interview with BT Sports’ Ariel Helwani, and the topic of a WrestleMania 38 match came up.
Per the interview, had Hunter’s cardiac issues not popped up, there were big plans for him and a possibly rising young Superstar.
I say possibly, because…well…he’s had a lot of hype, but not much else thus far.
The match would have had something to do with former NCAA Champion Gable Steveson.
Per Hunter, the intent was for him to have worked on something with the Olympic champion, likely putting over the young talent in the process.
source: @tripleh, twitter, screenshot
Triple H, instead, ended up leaving his boots in the ring, formally retiring from competition.
Steveson did miss out on a match, but did get into the WrestleMania ring anyways. He was able to toss fellow Olympian Chad Gable around and pop the crowd.
Now, given some recent reports, we have to wonder…will Steveson ever get back into a WWE ring?
