Former AEW World Tag Team Champions Max Caster and Anthony Bowens, previously known as The Acclaimed, have officially become free agents as their contracts with All Elite Wrestling have expired after six years. Recent reports indicated that contract renewal talks had not progressed, and Fightful Select has confirmed their status as free agents. Despite this, AEW’s website still lists them on the roster, suggesting there remains a chance they could re-sign. An AEW insider mentioned that recent tragic losses within the wrestling community—namely the deaths of Andy “The Butcher” Williams and Benjamin “Pac” Satterley—may have delayed potential negotiations.
Both Caster and Bowens independently confirmed their free agent status on social media, with Caster sharing a Wikipedia definition of the term “free agent,” and Bowens posting an encouraging message about taking things step-by-step. During their tenure in AEW, The Acclaimed were highly popular, capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship in September 2022 and holding it for five months. They later formed a trio with “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn, winning the AEW World Trios Championship at AEW All In London 2023 at Wembley Stadium, holding that title for eight months. By early 2025, the team broke up, but neither pursued successful singles careers; Bowens joined The Opps faction before his contract ended, whereas Caster mostly worked independently throughout 2026.
Fan Take:
This development is significant for wrestling fans as it marks a turning point for two of AEW’s standout talents who helped elevate the tag team division. Their free agent status opens new possibilities for fresh storylines and potential moves—whether staying with AEW or joining other promotions—which could reshape the wrestling landscape in exciting ways.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
