Booker T: Why WWE’s Structure Benefited Malakai Black and Miro More Than AEW’s Creative Freedom

One Big Thing

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T believes former WWE stars Malakai Black and Miro struggled in AEW due to the lack of creative structure, compared to WWE’s more organized system.

Key Details

• Malakai Black’s AEW contract recently expired, with rumors pointing to a WWE return
• Booker T suggests Black should have stayed in WWE, where creative direction was clearer
• The WWE system provided ready-made stories and character direction for talent
• AEW’s creative freedom presented challenges for both Black and Miro

Direct Quotes

“In WWE everything was done for him,” Booker T said about Black. “He didn’t have to write stories. He didn’t have to create the factions.”

Why It Matters

This insight highlights a significant contrast between WWE and AEW’s creative processes:

• WWE offers structured storytelling with clear creative direction
• AEW provides more creative freedom but less guidance
• The transition between systems can impact wrestler success

The Numbers

• Black spent 4 years in WWE (2017-2021)
• His AEW run lasted from 2021 to 2024
• Miro joined AEW in 2020 after a 10-year WWE career

The Bottom Line

Booker T’s analysis suggests that WWE’s structured environment might better serve certain performers, particularly those who excel at executing pre-planned storylines rather than creating their own narratives.

Join the Conversation

Do you think wrestlers perform better with creative freedom or under a more structured system? Share your thoughts in the comments below.