Tag: Max Caster

TNA Cuts Ties With Max Caster Following Controversial Bound For Glory Rap, Max Caster Issues Statement

TNA Wrestling has officially cut ties with Max Caster following controversy surrounding a line in his pre-match rap at Bound For Glory that referenced violence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Caster, formerly of AEW, made his surprise TNA debut at Sunday’s pay-per-view, facing Moose in a singles match. During his trademark rap entrance, Caster delivered the line, “This the firing squad, I drop bombs, you don’t even need to go to Riyadh.”

The remark drew backlash because it referenced recent violent attacks in Riyadh that reportedly killed and injured numerous people. According to reports from Fightful Select, the lyric was not scripted or approved by TNA officials.

TNA Issues Statement on Max Caster’s Departure

TNA President Carlos Silva and company management moved to address the situation following the controversy. Reports indicate that the match and rap segment were removed from TNA+ replays, the company’s official YouTube channel and its social media platforms.

TNA also released a statement condemning the comments and confirming that Caster would no longer compete for the promotion.

“During Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view, insensitive comments were made by Max Caster referencing attacks in Riyadh that killed and injured many people. Making light of violent attacks is wrong. This should never have made it into the show, and that responsibility is ours… Max Caster will no longer be wrestling for TNA.”

The company acknowledged its own responsibility for allowing the remark to make it onto the show while making clear that Caster’s time with TNA had come to an end.

Max Caster’s TNA Run Ends After One Match

Caster’s appearance at Bound For Glory was expected to introduce him to TNA audiences following his time with AEW. Instead, the controversial rap overshadowed his match against Moose and led to the promotion publicly confirming his departure.

Although Caster competed in the match, TNA’s statement leaves little ambiguity about his status with the company: he will no longer be wrestling for the promotion.

The situation also prompted TNA to remove the relevant footage from its official platforms, further distancing the company from the incident.

Max Caster Issues Statement on His TNA Firing, Apologizes to Carlos Silva & TNA Office

Max Caster has now issued a statement on his dismissal from TNA on his X account.

Caster was apologetic to TNA Wrestling staff and company president Carlos Silva, addressing that he spoke to him in person about the issue. He stated the following in the clip:

“Just to address all the TNA stuff, I want to say thank you to Carlos Silva. I talked to him in person. He was very generous, very professional, even after all this stuff happened. And I understand why he did what he did. It’s his show. He’s got to protect TNA, and I went too far for him.

So, I want to apologize to him and everybody else in the office. I want to apologize to anyone who vouched for me to get that spot. I feel like I let those people down.

Thank you to Moose for sharing your platform with me, and I wish things didn’t turn out the way they did, but I’m proud of that match, and I’m sorry for how things have ended up.

And then for anybody who’s offended, I just want everybody to know that when I do these raps, it’s never to offend people. It’s only to entertain. So in my mind, it’s entertainment value first. And then if you’re offended by it, that’s your right. So I can’t apologize for anyone being offended, but just know that it’s not my intention to make people upset. If it gets a reaction, I think I did my job. It was a very relevant part of the show and highly talked about, so I feel good about that. But the consequences of everything, I’m accepting that. I can accept the facts of that.

And then to anybody who is asking if I’m good, I’m good. I’m just embarrassed how all this happened. It’s, you know, you don’t want it to be one match and then that’s it, you get fired. But again, that’s the reality of the situation. I’m accepting it, and that’s life. And in life, sometimes you got to man up and just accept it and move on.

So whatever’s next, I don’t know, but we’ll see. Thank you, everybody who’s reaching out and supporting.”

Max Caster And Anthony Bowens Become Free Agents Following AEW Contract Expirations

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.