AEW's Malakai Black: Bray Wyatt Is A "Phenomenal Talent"

Malakai Black has described Bray Wyatt as a "phenomenal talent" and revealed the advice he received from the two-time Universal Champion.

Speaking about Wyatt's WWE release on Sean Waltman's Pro Wrestling 4 Life, Black said: "I think I speak for everyone when I say we were all very surprised. Obviously, I don't know the reasons why and the reasons for it are not for me to know, that's between him and the company. Bray is a phenomenal talent, everyone thinks that. He is a phenomenal and creative guy. 

"Funny enough, in our conversations a lot of times, there's a lot of cross-reference with how we think of subliminal messaging, building characters, and what we get inspiration from. It's interesting to hear him talk about his characters because a lot of times we're like, 'what would we do if it was just you and me?' We do a little fantasy booking here and there. For as long as I've known him, he's always been a stand-up guy. He's also been there for me when I ask him because obviously, at the time, he was in the company for a long time and went through similar processes that I had to go through," Black continued.

"One of the things he always told me, and I always did, is to fight for what you want to do. I did and he did too, but at the end, it's not up to us and it's someone else's decision, no matter how much you fight. You want to die on your own sword and know that you tried everything, even if it doesn't go the way you want it to go, at least you tried. No matter how many times you get shut down or how many times they try to change it or present it in a way it doesn't work for you anymore, you try. That's one of the things he really instilled in me is try. You gotta try. Keep fighting, keep talking."

Both Black and Wyatt previously wrestled in WWE but they were released by the company earlier this year as part of "budget cuts." WWE has released numerous Superstars in 2021, including the likes of Braun Strowman, Bronson Reed and Ruby Riott. 

H/T to Fightful