- Fightful Select reported last week that Malakai Black had asked for his AEW release in August, but that the request was not granted. AEW in an official capacity had told us the rumors that he was gone from the company weren't true, but it would seem they changed their stance.
- We're told by many in the company that Tony Khan specifically wanted to retain Black, and hoped to see him as a part of the brand "for years to come." There were efforts to have conversations to salvage the working relationship that AEW believed were fruitful, however we're told that a meeting took place sometime recently and it was decided that if Black wanted out, they should probably allow it.
- Talent are of the belief that there are heavy restrictions on Black, and there may be more to the agreement, including conditions that would prevent him from wrestling elsewhere any time soon. Black withdrew from a September 9 indie show in Ohio, according to PWInsider. AEW sources told us that the door isn't closed on a potential return for Black as far as they've heard