It almost pains me in a way to say what I’m about to say, particularly because I really like Aleister Black/Malakai Black as a performer. I was a fan of his when he was breaking through in the US as Tommy End ten years ago. For all its flaws, I enjoyed his run in AEW; his presentation and theme music were terrific, the House of Black trios matches were generally all good, and Black’s feud with Adam Copeland may be the best non-Christian related thing Copeland has done in AEW. In another universe, there would definitely be a scenario where I’d say Black should be brought back to AEW.

Alas, this isn’t a “Fringe” style alternate universe; this is the prime universe, and here Black is the guy who many, including some of the AEW roster, believe didn’t want to do business while he was there. So you have the potential problem of Black alienating some in the locker room, and the locker room getting upset if he was brought back. There’s also the fair question of whether Black, at this stage of his career, is more worthy of getting TV time than some of the AEW talent that’s already on air, or maybe fighting to get time. Throw in Black’s injury history, and the fact that a House of Black reunion would be counterproductive to King’s growth, and this all just seems like a bad idea. Maybe in time, if Black shows he’s turned over a new leaf or learned a lesson, AEW can revisit this. But for now, I think it would be best if AEW left Aleister Black/Malakai Black alone, and not bring him back.