On his Grilling JR podcast, wrestling legend Jim Ross has addressed speculation about Alister Black potentially returning to AEW following his shock WWE release. While noting that questions around trust and reliability could affect future bookings, Ross enthusiastically praised Black’s in-ring skills and strong work ethic. He even declared he would hire the former Malakai Black in a heartbeat, suggesting the door to AEW may still be open.
“I think his chances are running out. Trust is a big thing, man, reliability. Are you reliable? I’m sure a small fraction of some in the wrestling business believe he’s missing something … He’s not missing his attire, his look, or his work ethic. So whatever his downfalls are, they seem to be things outside the bell-to-bell, but I like that guy, I’d hire him in a heartbeat.” – Jim Ross
40-year-old Black’s AEW run from 2021 to 2025 left a lasting imprint on the promotion, and helped establish both Julia Hart and Brody King. Debuting on Dynamite, he quickly formed the dominant House of Black stable, and the faction captured the AEW World Trios Titles in 2023, holding them for 175. Yet rumors persisted that he was unwilling to put others in singles matches, with Adam Copeland being a notable exception. Therefore, when news broke that his contract had expired, his departure wasn’t seen as a massive loss.
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