Two former AEW champions are officially free agents.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, former AEW World Tag Team Champions Anthony Bowens and Max Caster have seen their AEW contracts expire, making both men available to sign elsewhere after six years with the company.
Reports had surfaced in recent weeks indicating that the contracts of both former Acclaimed members were nearing their expiration dates and that there had been little indication of ongoing negotiations regarding new deals. Fightful has now confirmed that both wrestlers have officially entered free agency.
Despite their contracts expiring, AEW sources reportedly told Fightful that Bowens and Caster remain listed on the company’s official roster page. According to the report, there is still a possibility that either or both could ultimately remain with AEW.
One source also suggested that recent events within the company may have delayed any potential contract discussions. The wrestling industry has spent the past several weeks mourning the deaths of Andy Williams and Benjamin Satterley (PAC), which may have shifted priorities away from negotiations.
Both wrestlers appeared to acknowledge their new status on social media. Caster posted a screenshot of the Wikipedia definition of a “free agent,” while Bowens shared a brief message confirming his availability.
The Acclaimed Became One Of AEW’s Biggest Homegrown Success Stories
Bowens and Caster joined AEW during the company’s early years and quickly developed into one of its most popular acts as The Acclaimed.
The duo captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship in September 2022 and held the titles for five months. They later aligned fully with Billy Gunn as part of The Acclaimed trio, winning the AEW World Trios Championship at AEW All In London 2023 at Wembley Stadium.
Their Trios Championship reign lasted approximately eight months before they lost the titles to The Bang Bang Gang. Following that defeat, AEW gradually moved toward splitting the group apart, with Bowens and Caster officially going their separate ways in early 2025.
Both Wrestlers Took Different Paths Following The Split
Following the breakup of The Acclaimed, neither wrestler found the same level of success as a singles act.
Bowens eventually joined The Opps and remained a featured part of the group until his contract expired. Meanwhile, Caster’s AEW appearances became increasingly limited, with much of his in-ring work taking place on the independent wrestling scene throughout 2026.
As of now, neither Bowens nor Caster has publicly announced what comes next, but both are officially among the most notable free agents available in professional wrestling.
