Tony Khan Benching Several AEW Stars Until Their Contracts Expire

It looks like Malakai Black, Miro, Ricky Starks, and Rey Fenix are all on the same boat in AEW’s creative limbo, with Tony Khan reportedly planning to keep them off TV for the remainder of their contracts.

According to Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW has no plans to use these stars, despite their status as some of the company’s top-tier talent. Instead of booking them to lose before they leave, Khan is opting to keep them benched until their deals expire—a move that would have been praised in a different era but is frustrating for modern wrestlers who simply want to perform.

“Unlike promoters from the past who would job guys out under these circumstances, Khan just takes them off television. Ironically, in another era it would be considered the greatest thing in the world—make big money, never have to work. The modern generation wants to perform,” Meltzer explained.

While Miro and Fenix haven’t been booked anywhere in recent months, it was noted that Starks has been allowed to take indie dates, and Black just competed on an independent show over the weekend.

Meanwhile, WWE is reportedly already discussing creative plans for Malakai Black, which suggests that his contract might be up sooner than Tony Khan originally claimed. While his AEW deal was said to last until 2027, WWE sources reportedly believe his contract ends much sooner, paving the way for a potential return to WWE where he previously thrived under Triple H’s creative direction.

AEW’s decision to keep Malakai Black, Miro, Ricky Starks, and Rey Fenix on the sidelines has left fans divided—some see it as smart business, while others believe it’s a waste of top-tier talent. With WWE already plotting creative plans for at least one of these stars, it’s clear that their next moves are being carefully watched. Whether Tony Khan eventually changes course or sticks to keeping them off TV, one thing’s for sure—when these wrestlers do return, all eyes will be on where they land next.