How AEW Snagged Malakai Black Long Before 90-Day WWE Non-Compete Expired

Aleister Malakai Black appeared on Wednesday's episode of AEW Dynamite -- the first of the live touring shows -- and surprised many. Not only was it shock he had signed with AEW, it was a bombshell that he was able to appear so quickly after being released by WWE.

Black was let go at the start of June, 2021. As such, his 90-day non-compete clause would have put him in the early September range as far as showing up for another wrestling promotion might go. So, to see him on the July 7th edition of Dynamite was unexpected.

While there was talk some WWE Superstars were asking the company to let them out of their non-competes early, that doesn't seem to be what happened here. As per a report by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, WWE made a "clerical error" on Black's contract.

Related: Malakai Black (Aleister Black) Debuts On AEW Dynamite, Attacks Cody Rhodes

“PWInsider.com is told that back when Tommy End was moved to the main WWE roster several years ago, the company failed to update his contract from the standard 30 day non-compete that NXT level talents receive to the 90 day non-compete that main roster performers are given,” wrote Johnson. He adds, “So, what can only be described as a bad clerical error allowed End to be free and clear in time for the first episode of AEW Dynamite on the road and surprise everyone.”

WWE Dropped The Ball Here

Not only was this a pretty big oops by WWE, it allowed AEW to come in and scoop up Black before Vince McMahon and company had a chance to rethink releasing him -- which rumors suggested was the case. AEW saw an opportunity to add a high-ceiling talent and do it well before anyone could have imagined. Well played.

We'll see if there's any fallout in WWE from this. The question now is, how many other WWE Superstars were in the same boat as Black and was his the only contract where this mistake was made?

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