Ricky Starks, Malaki Black, and Miro are no longer with AEW, according to multiple reports on Monday Those reports were fueled by all three being removed from the AEW roster page earlier today.
Ricky Starks
Despite not being on AEW TV, Ricky Starks was still listed on the official AEW website. That changed on Monday, which caused an uproar on social media. Starks last appeared on AEW TV back in March of 2024. On a recent appearance with Chris Van Vliet, Starks said about his absence “The fact of the matter is that if I don’t have a definitive answer, I can’t just make up an answer for people and just assume. Would I love to know the exact reason? For sure. Do I have speculations about why? Absolutely. But that does nothing to speak on things that I speculate, does nothing for the situation.”
Starks has been heavily rumored to be heading to WWE once his obligations with AEW were completed, which now looks as if it’s happening.
Malakai Black
Black has been the subject of rumors for months. We’ve had several instances during his tenure with AEW about his desire to leave. Black had addressed the rumors, essentially saying not to read into them and that any news would come from him. Now, Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reports that Black is officially a free agent. His deal with AEW expired on Super Bowl Sunday.
Black is another name we’d expect to land back with WWE, especially with Triple H at the helm. Known as Aleister Black during his time with WWE, he flourished during his time with NXT. Black was an NXT champion but never found his groove once called up to the main roster, spending time on both Raw and Smackdown. After nearly a four year absence, Black could start fresh in the midst of Wrestlemania season.
Miro
It’s easy to forget that Miro was still a part of AEW. Between injuries and lack of creative direction, Miro has not been a consistent presence on AEW programming. Reports are out that both sides mutually agreed to part ways, paving the way for him to be a free agent. Interest from WWE will likely be high, as he was once considered one of the more underutilized workers during his peak. Despite being massively over with the crowd during his “Rusev Day” era, his release from WWE came as a surprise. It wouldn’t come as a shock to see him back on WWE programming in the near future.
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