Jim Ross Doesn’t Think Aleister Black Has Burned His Bridge in AEW Yet

On a recent episode of his podcast, “Grilling JR,” Jim Ross discussed whether Aleister Black still has a future in AEW after his WWE release and more. Black was let go from the company last week, and there has been a lot of speculation about whether he would be welcome in AEW. Here are the highlights:

On What He Would Do If He Were Black:

“If I were in his position, or if I was counseling him, I’d say, take some time off. Step away for a few months. I would encourage my wife to get back in the ring. And you know, she’d be a good hire for AEW. Aleister Black is one of my favorite competitors, he’s compelling. Maybe it’s his look or the fact that he uses the kicks a lot, and he’s very proficient at it. But I like Aleister Black. But I think he could do himself a favor by simply stepping away for a while. He’s got a 90-day no compete anyway.

“So how can you improve in 90 days, Aleister? That’s my question to you. What can you do to make your game better? Because I think the guy’s got a good upside. He’s a main event level talent. Got a good gimmick, and so you know, that’s what I’d do if I were him. But he’s a keeper, there’s no doubt about that. He seems to run afoul of the establishment from time to time and I don’t know why that is. I’ve not worked with him in that regard. So I don’t know why that is. But whatever it is, my advice to him would be to get over it. Don’t be so critical of things. Just be critical of your own work and making it better.”

On Black’s AEW Run: 

“I don’t think he wanted to [work out in AEW], Conrad. I don’t think he was happy there. I think he looked at it as a step down. He’s in the minor leagues, or some s**t. But that’s that WWE mentality rubbing off on you. That’ll happen and it’s unstoppable, and it can’t be helped. That’s kind of how I looked at his situation. I like his game a lot, and his wife is a hell of a hand. You got two of them. You got two keepers in those two people.”

On Whether He Burned a Bridge In AEW:

“No, I do not. But I think that his chances are running out. Because trust is a big thing, man. You know, I said this a million times, you and I laugh about it sometimes: reliability. Are you reliable? And there is a, I’m sure a small faction of some in the wrestling business that believe he’s got he’s missing something. And I say that I don’t disagree with that. He’s not missing his attire, his look, his work ethic. So whatever his downfalls are, they seem to be stimulated from things outside bell-to-bell. But I like the guy. I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Grilling JR podcast with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.