Report: WWE Reached Out To Malakai Black While He Was Under Contract With AEW
WWE wanted Malakai Black back
Sep 23, 2022
Following Vince McMahon's resignation in July, the new WWE regime under Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Nick Khan reportedly reached out to former talents in All Elite Wrestling to find out if they would be interested in coming back to the company.
This would ultimately be contract tampering and AEW's legal team actually wrote to WWE warning them not to "tamper" with their contracted wrestlers.
Who exactly WWE reached out to was not previously known but Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the company contacted Malakai Black, who was signed to AEW on a long-term deal. Black asked for his AEW release soon after and a previous report from Meltzer noted the former NXT Champion wanted to return to WWE.
Black's initial request was rejected but it is believed that AEW ultimately granted him a conditional release that includes a non-compete period which prevents him from wrestling for WWE.
Black confirmed last week that he asked for his AEW release and he is taking time away from pro wrestling to recalibrate. If he will return to WWE or AEW is unknown.