AEW: Malakai Black Dealing with Calf & Knee Injuries, Kylie O’Reilly Injury Update, Serena Deeb AEW Absence Update

Malakai Black Dealing with Calf Tear & Hyperextension Knee Injuries

Malakai Black has been absent for AEW since this past August’s All In event at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Black last wrestled in a AEW Trios Championship match at the event.

Black provided a recent update on Instagram stating that the reason for his current absence is not due to the rumors of him re-injuring his back and instead is due to him recovering from a slight calf tear and knee hyperextension injuries.

“Something that I want to quickly address. I understand this is done from a perspective of caring, and I appreciate the fact that people care and that it comes from a good place. About a year ago, I made a video about rehabbing a back injury that I have. The video shows the process and strengthening my back. After the video was posted, people started bringing up this idea, ‘Oh, he has a bad back, therefore, ABC,’ which is not the case at all. For some reason, that has found its way back and the narrative is ‘he has not had singles matches because he has a bad back and nearly retired.’ That’s not true. Why I’m not having singles matches? I don’t know. I think it’s because they want House of Black to do six-mans. I was not in six-mans to hide a non-existing injury. Rest assured, I do not have a bad back and the reason I am home right now is because, well, due to a minor injury. I had a slight calf tear and a hyperextension in my knee, which is almost nursed back and almost ready to go back on the road. I appreciate the concern, but the reality is, I’m fine, and you will see me sooner rather than later.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

---

Kyle O’Reilly Neck Injury Update

As noted before, Kyle O’Reilly has been out of action for AEW since June of 2022 due to a neck-related and other injuries.

Inside The Ropes held a recent interview with Adam Cole. One of the topics discussed included Cole’s thoughts on O’Reilly’s current recovery from his neck and other injuries.

“All I can say is Kyle is continuing to push forward. This has been a very long and very, very tough process for him, but he’s a warrior. There’s nothing that Kyle loves more than pro wrestling, and he’s doing everything that he can to make sure he’s getting healthy and getting back to a point where he can return to the ring. Obviously, there’s still no timetable on when he’s gonna be able to come back, but Kyle is progressing. He’s getting better every single week. Just like the rest of the world, I can’t wait until Kyle O’Reilly gets back. I miss him so much.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

---

Serena Deeb AEW Absence Update & Backstage Heat Issues

Serena Deeb has been absent from AEW since October of 2022.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Deeb has told people that she has dealt with a serious injury and is currently working to get medically cleared for an in-ring return for the reason for her lengthy absence.

Several sources within AEW reportedly stated that there is also another reason related to backstage issues that has also played a factor in Deeb’s lengthy absence from AEW television. This backstage issue reportedly involved a serious disagreement between Deeb and AEW management.

Deeb reportedly had been very vocal about her usage on AEW television, especially the time given for her matches. Those close to the situation claimed that this issue had entered the area of disrespect over Deeb accusing AEW CEO Tony Khan and AEW officials of cutting the time for her matches without telling her until she got to the ring. Others spoken to reportedly stated that they had actually got a list of match times and showed it to Deeb to prove that her time was not being cut based on what was originally budgeted for her matches.

It was reported that it is typical in wrestling for producers and coaches to not relay times for matches to talent until those times are finalized in order to prevent talent from being upset when inevitable cuts do actually happen for their matches.

It was also reported that those close to Deeb stated that they have not heard this story directly from her but it is a story that several members of AEW’s locker room and others within the company have heard about. It was also reported that this situation did end up in Deeb having heat within the company over it.