New member of The Death Riders? - 3 Ways Tony Khan could revive Malakai Black's career
Malakai Black locked horns with Adam Cole on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite. The match had everything, from hard-hitting action to captivating drama. In the end, the leader of The Undisputed Kingdom emerged victorious.
After the match ended, Cole offered his opponent a handshake. Black then surprised fans present in the arena and the world by responding with an embrace. A gesture like this was unexpected from the former AEW World Trios Champion. After witnessing the same, people around the globe began speculating that the Dutch star was leaving the Jacksonville-based company. Moreover, rumors of him returning to WWE started emerging.
However, Black soon squashed these rumors by releasing a video statement on his Instagram stories, confirming that he was neither injured nor leaving AEW:
"I'm not injured, nor am I retiring nor am I leaving. I feel this happens every match I have, and I don't understand how many times are you gonna say these things, and then happening [sic], and people are still going to fall for that!"
Black's AEW run has been bittersweet. Even though he is the leader of the House of Black, he has not been able to solidify his position in the title scene. However, this could be fixed if Tony Khan makes some bold decisions.
Below are three ways Tony Khan could revive Malakai Black's career.
#3. Turn Malakai Black babyface
Malakai Black has one of the most fascinating gimmicks in the current wrestling landscape. The 39-year-old star has predominantly portrayed an 'anti-hero' character throughout his career. However, it might be a good time for Tony Khan to turn him into a beloved babyface.
There are very few good guys on Dynamite. Moreover, every champion in the company is a heel. AEW really needs babyfaces whom fans could get behind. Black is definitely one of the top contenders for this narrative.
#2. By making him the AEW TNT Champion
The AEW TNT Championship has a prestigious lineage. Even though it is a mid-card title, the past holders of the same have been popular names such as Cody Rhodes, the late Brodie Lee, Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, Samoa Joe, Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and more.
Holding this championship is a huge honor and wrestlers massively benefit by winning it. The current TNT Champion is Jack Perry. However, the 27-year-old star's reign has been underwhelming. Apart from the AEW World Trios Championship, Malakai Black has not won anything in the Tony Khan-led promotion so far. His singles career needs a thrust and this can be done by making him win the TNT Championship.
#1. By making him join the Death Riders (fka the Blackpool Combat Club)
Jon Moxley's stable is now called the Death Riders, formerly known as the Blackpool Combat Club. They are a force to be reckoned with as over the past few weeks, they have been wreaking havoc on the locker room. They have been going after the company's faces and the wrestlers they believe have not performed up to their potential in AEW.
Malakai Black would be a great fit for this stable. The group, which consists of Mox, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, and PAC, would only get stronger if the Dutch star joined them. Moreover, the 39-year-old could get opportunities to challenge for titles such as the AEW International Championship or the AEW Continental Championship.