Photo: Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews reunite with former WWE star
Malakai Black and Buddy Matthews are current AEW stars. Despite this, they recently caught up with a former WWE star.
Mustafa Ali worked for WWE between 2016 and 2023. During this time, he was one of the best in-ring competitors in the company. He was arguably a victim of questionable bookings in the Stamford-based promotion. His lackluster storyline with the faction Retribution didn't help catapult him to the next level either. However, he was always incredible to watch in the ring and competed against some of the top names in the company like Buddy Matthews, Seth Rollins, and many more.
Just when he was starting to regain momentum, he was released from WWE. Since then, he has competed for various promotions around the country. Recently, Ali reunited with his former colleagues Buddy Matthews and Malakai Black in a gym. Ali has a lot of history with Matthews since the two of them competed in a series of dark matches on SmackDown. The AEW star posted a picture of their reunion with a caption that read:
"Time apart doesn’t change a thing! Catching up like I saw him last week! Great workout & conversation with the boys."
Check out his post below:
Jim Ross confirmed that Malakai Black's contract is expiring
After Malakai Black lost to Adam Cole, he broke character and hugged the Panama City Playboy in the ring. This led to speculation that the House of Black member was perhaps leaving AEW. Black himself debunked these rumors. Following this loss, the 39-year-old and Brody King bounced back with a win over FTR.
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross was surprised that the Kings of the Black Throne defeated FTR with the rumors about Black's future in the company. He also confirmed that the AEW star's contract was expiring soon.
“I was shocked, to be honest with you, that FTR lost [on Dynamite]. I was just assuming because of the rumored situation of Mr. Black leaving. I think his contract is expiring…he’s a hell of a hand. I love the guy. He’s a nice guy, smart guy. He’d be good in the booker’s room," he said. [H/T Ringside News]
It will be interesting to see if Malakai Black will renew his AEW contract and continue in the Jacksonville-based company.