To be honest, if the report is credible, this could be a really tricky situation. Khan’s decision to decline the release is also concerning.
According to PWInsider, Malakai Black wants out of AEW due to unspecified mental health concerns. On top of that, he has concerns about his character and usage.
Put it all together, and Black wants out of AEW.
There is a lot to unpack there.
First, the dynamics within WWE have changed in a big way. Now, Superstars want back in a way that they have not wanted in years.
Khan knows this. Seems a bit concerned, actually.
So concerned that he’s actually behaving in contradiction to prior comments. He had always said that he would not stand in the way of talent that didn’t want to be in AEW anymore.
Now, he is.
What is even more concerning? According to Raj Giri (the initial source), Black is so stressed about his health concerns that he’s actually considered an extended time away from the ring.
However, it was noted that Tony Khan declined the request for a release.
Up to and including walking away for good.
Competition is damned, if someone has that kind of issue that he’d give up his career…maybe you need to honour his request for release.
Triple H-WrestleMania 38
While it ended up never having a chance, there were big plans for triple H at WrestleMania 38, at one point.
Triple H had a wide-ranging interview with BT Sports’ Ariel Helwani, and the topic of a WrestleMania 38 match came up.
Per the interview, had Hunter’s cardiac issues not popped up, there were big plans for him and a possibly rising young Superstar.
I say possibly, because…well…he’s had a lot of hype, but not much else thus far.
The match would have had something to do with former NCAA Champion Gable Steveson.
Triple H, instead, ended up leaving his boots in the ring, formally retiring from competition.
Steveson did miss out on a match but did get into the WrestleMania ring anyways. He was able to toss fellow Olympian Chad Gable around and pop the crowd.
