# Malakai Black professional wrestling career status

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/malakai-black-professional-wrestling-career-status
> Updated: 2026-08-17T01:34:42.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

Following his release from WWE in April, professional wrestler Malakai Black has been navigating his status as a free agent. Reports indicate that Black held preliminary discussions with Major League Wrestling (MLW) shortly after his departure, though these talks did not progress significantly. While rumors of a return to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have been denied by the promotion, Black has secured upcoming appearances with the UK-based PROGRESS Wrestling.

Black is scheduled to compete in three shows as part of ‘The Odyssey Tour’ in September, with dates in Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester. This marks his first venture into the independent wrestling scene since leaving WWE.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Malakai Black held preliminary talks with MLW following WWE release

Malakai Black had preliminary discussions with Major League Wrestling following his WWE release, though the talks did not advance. He remains a free agent and is scheduled for upcoming PROGRESS Wrestling dates.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malakai-black-held-preliminary-talks-with-mlw-following-wwe-release

### 2026-08-12: Malakai Black announced for PROGRESS Wrestling September tour

Malakai Black will return to the independent wrestling scene this September, competing in three PROGRESS Wrestling shows across Edinburgh, Leeds, and Manchester.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malakai-black-announced-for-progress-wrestling-september-tour

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