Malakai Black, Miro, and Ricky Starks have officially departed AEW, with all three now removed from the company’s roster page. Fightful Select reports that none of the three are under a no-compete clause, making them free agents who are free to sign with any promotion.
Black’s exit had been anticipated since December, as he hasn’t appeared on AEW television in months. AEW president Tony Khan had originally planned to keep Black with the company until 2027, but those plans have clearly changed.
Miro, who last competed in AEW at December’s World’s End event, has been cleared to wrestle for some time. However, he requested his release in September. Though the matter went quiet for months, it became clear that Miro’s return to AEW was unlikely. His contract extension from early 2022 would have kept him with the company until 2026.
Ricky Starks, meanwhile, asked to be released in late 2023, requesting that AEW not pick up his option for the following spring. AEW ultimately extended his contract, but Starks was largely kept off television. His contract would have ended in the coming months.
