Report on Malakai Black’s status with AEW following promo from Will Ospreay on Dynamite

As seen during the January 8th 2025 edition of AEW Dynamite, Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews. After the match, Ospreay put over Matthews and said that Matthews didn’t need to “follow a leader.” This was a reference to Matthews being part of Malakai Black’s House of Black faction.

The segment from Dynamite led to renewed speculation about Black’s run with AEW potentially being over. On Wednesday night, Fightful.com reported that those they spoke with in AEW believed Black is either done or will be finishing up with the company. During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com noted the following…

“The rumor backstage is that he’s gone. I did not get that confirmed, but I will say this, I did not get it denied. It was basically ignored.” (quote courtesy of RingsideNews.com)

Meanwhile, wrestling promotion CCW announced the following…

TAMPA, FL — Coastal Championship Wrestling (CCW) is excited to announce the upcoming debut of MALAKAI BLACK. The All Elite Wrestling star and former WWE NXT Champion will be in action this Saturday, January 11, 2025, at CCW’s HAVOC & HAZE 9 at Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa, FL.