Malakai Black, Miro, and Ricky Starks have officially parted ways with All Elite Wrestling, as confirmed with their removal from the AEW roster page.
Fightful Select is reporting that not one of the three talents are certain by a no-compete clause, making them free agents and eligible to sign with other promotions starting today.
Malakai Black’s departure had been anticipated since December, as he had been absent from AEW programming for an prolonged time frame. Tony Khan had previously mentioned his expectation to maintain Black under contract through not less than 2027, however the absence of recent activity has led many to consider his exit was imminent.
Miro’s departure can be notable. After last competing in December 2023 on the AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view event, where he defeated Andrade El Idolo, Miro had been cleared to return to motion but requested his release back in September. Sources say the situation had remained quiet for months before Miro was finally granted his release, with creative plans for him not being discussed. His previous contract extension, signed in early 2022, was set to maintain him with AEW until early 2026, though it seems the corporate and Miro ultimately reached an amicable conclusion.
Ricky Starks, who had asked to be let go in late 2023, similarly found himself in a sophisticated position when AEW exercised its option to increase his contract. Nonetheless, despite this extension, Starks was not prominently featured on AEW television, resulting in his eventual release. His contract was slated to conclude in a matter of months, and sources near the situation consider the choice to part ways was mutually agreed upon.
As you’d expect, speculation is already swirling regarding where they could find yourself next, with no restrictions in place to forestall them from appearing elsewhere.
Josh Barnett took to Twitter on Monday to specific his interest in seeing Miro in Bloodsport. He wrote;
“Tell him to succeed in out – if he’s game that’s.
We’re at all times in search of latest blood.”
Tell him to succeed in out – if he’s game that’s.
We’re at all times in search of latest blood. https://t.co/JG16HYwWAm
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) February 10, 2025
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