MJF: AEW locker room “better” without Malakai Black, says majority felt same

On The Ariel Helwani Show, MJF said the AEW locker room has improved since wrestlers who treated the promotion as a stepping stone were “weeded out,” naming Malakai Black as “the biggest offender.” He clarified he does not know Black personally, calling him more of a “mark” than a bad guy and arguing some talents used AEW to chase opportunities elsewhere.

Speaking as a team captain, MJF said he was relaying the views of the majority of the locker room and urged non-team players to either prove him wrong or go elsewhere. Black, who joined AEW in 2021 and returned to WWE in 2025 amid disputed rumors about being reluctant to lose, could be eligible to re-sign after a 90-day clause but AEW has denied negotiations; Swerve Strickland offered a more measured hope that Black finds what makes him happy.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/mjf-malakai-aew-black-stepping-stone-wwe/.