Malakai Black shoots down speculation that he’s retiring or leaving AEW

Taking to social media on Thursday morning, Malakai Black made it clear that he is not injured and is not leaving AEW.

The ending of this week’s AEW Dynamite led to fan speculation that Black could be taking time off from AEW or leaving the promotion. Black lost to Adam Cole in the main event of Dynamite before the two shared a moment together after the match. Cole extended a handshake to Black, who declined it but hugged Cole instead. Cole then cut a promo calling Black one of the best wrestlers he has ever faced. He gave the crowd a moment to cheer for Black and give him a standing ovation.

Black posted a video on his Instagram stories today saying the promo was just Cole thanking him for the match. Black said he has not been injured in more than three years — and he would appreciate it if people would stop starting rumors about him retiring.

“I’m not injured nor am I retiring or am I leaving,” Black said. “I feel this happens every match I have, and I don’t understand how many times you’re going to say these things and then them not happening and people are still going to fall for that. I haven’t been injured in more than three years. And I’m referring to my back injury of course, and I only posted about that after it was already done. And if you would have read the post, you would have seen that and not read what other people have written about it.

“I’m fine, I’ve been fine for the longest time. I would really appreciate it if that stuff stops, man. If I’m going to retire, you’re going to hear it from me and not after Adam just cuts a promo just as a thank you for the match. Because that’s all it was. So, thank you.”

In 2022, Black opened up about the back issues he had battled. Black said he thought the issues were going to end his career at one point before treatment helped him recover.

It remains to be seen whether the moment with Cole will mark a change for Black’s character. He’s the leader of House of Black in AEW with Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart.