In a recent episode of his podcast, “Grilling JR”, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame inductee Jim Ross provided his review of the American wrestling company AEW, specifically highlighting Malakai Black’s inconsistent scheduling.
Here are some noteworthy elements from his podcast:
During a discussion on AEW Full Gear’s World Title match between Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy, Ross stated: “I foresee a spectacular match. Expect a memorable moment from Orange Cassidy, and Moxley is currently in a unique position as the newly minted champ. We used to have a term ‘character babyfaces’. Dusty, for example, wasn’t a traditional babyface like Rick Martel. He was an entirely unique category. So Moxley is just kicking off his reign. Despite Orange Cassidy seeming like a seasoned wrestler, he still manages to impress me with his skill. A bright lad like him could make an excellent executives someday. Factoring all these contributors, I believe they’ll deliver a surprising and satisfying final match.”
As for Malakai Black’s situation in AEW, Ross shared: “If you felt the lack of consistency in Black’s scheduling, I can easily tell you why – you are not mistaken. There was an opportunity for him to be more intricately inserted into the storylines over a longer period. He is one of my personal favorites. He’s an intelligent guy and an excellent worker. He’s versatile, he can play either a hero or a villain. Regardless of his role, he’ll be a profitable and beneficial addition to any wrestling organization that employs him. During one of our previous discussions at a past PPV event, though he didn’t explicitly say, I sensed a hint of disillusionment in him. If a more enticing opportunity presents itself — he wouldn’t hesitate, considering his current comfort level in AEW. Just think about it, they have a wrestling day per week. Perhaps two, if they’re booked for both the Saturday and Wednesday shows. However this seldom happens. And even if it does, it will only mean working two days a week. Therefore, I am confident that his future will remain bright. He’s an artistic individual. Even his tattoos are fascinating. Therefore, he’s an expressive individual that likes to communicate his thoughts. His mystical aura reminded me of a young Jake Roberts.”
You can watch the full episode of “Grilling JR” below: