Jim Ross Says Malakai Black Seems "Disenchanted" With AEW Run

Malakai Black’s AEW status has been the topic of discussion throughout this past week, with his embrace of Adam Cole and subsequent promo from his opponent leading to many fans putting two and two together and getting five, debating over whether his time in AEW had come to an end. Black took to social media to deny he was retiring, leaving, or anything else, and asked fans to stop speculating on his future every time he wrestles a match. 

AEW commentator Jim Ross has shared his own opinions on the run of Malakai Black in AEW on his Grilling JR podcast, stating that he doesn’t get enough consistent time in the ring, much like a lot of the roster.

“You didn’t get enough consistency. He could have been more deeply woven into the story lines over time. He’s one of my favourite characters. He’s a smart guy. He’s a hell of a worker. He can be a babyface or a heel. Wherever he’s going to go, he’s going to make money and he’s going to be an asset to any company that he works for.”

Ross followed this up by saying he got a sense that Black was disenchanted after speaking with him backstage. 

“I talked to him a couple of pay-per-views ago, and he didn’t tell me this, but you could tell he was a little disenchanted. I mean, God Almighty. Think about this. They work a day a week. They wrestle a day a week for AEW, maybe two if they get booked on both the Saturday show and the Wednesday show, but that didn’t happen that much. If it did, you’d be working two days a week. I think his future is always going to be bright. He’s a creative guy.”

Fightful Select offered an update on Malakai Black’s AEW status this week, suggesting that his deal could be up at the end of 2024 or start of 2025.

H/T WrestlingNews.Co