11 AEW Stars Released

AEW

AEW releases and any form of departures had been a rare occurence throughout the promotion’s first few years, but things have picked up.

In the past few months there have been numerous exits, including some big names who have since gone on to join WWE.

Here are 11 recent AEW departures, along with some background on their time with the company and what they’ve gone on to do next – we wish them all the best with whatever their futures hold.

11. Aleister Black

Aleister Black, who used the name Malakai Black in AEW, exited the company in February 2025.

Black first joined AEW in June 2021 after being released by WWE, but requested his AEW release in 2022, with the request being denied at that time.

Three years later, he departed the company and went on to return to WWE, where he was previously NXT Champion, going back to the name Aleister Black.

He was allocated to the SmackDown brand, where he has scored wins over The Miz and Carmelo Hayes since his comeback.

Click the next page button below for more

• AEW

Share this article with friends