In the early days of AEW, Anthony Bowens and Max Caster rose to prominence together as The Acclaimed, with the goofier Caster performing a different rap for every entrance while Bowens played a more athletic role. Early last year, The Acclaimed broke up (and briefly reunited before breaking up again), with Caster being taken off television while Bowens continued appearing in a reduced role. According to Fightful Select, however, both may soon be departing AEW as their contracts are set to expire.The outlet is reporting that Bowens' and Caster's AEW contracts are set to expire at the start of October, and so far, there's been no word about either negotiating a new deal. Though it's not impossible that a last-minute deal could come together, it was indicated to the outlet that things have been "quiet" between the wrestlers and AEW.Although he's been active on the independent scene, Caster hasn't wrestled in AEW since December 2025. Meanwhile, Bowens became a member of The Opps, with his last in-ring appearance taking place during the Buy In pre-show at AEW All In this past August.
While it took me a little while to warm up to Caster's raps in the early days, The Acclaimed eventually became one of the most exciting tag teams to watch in AEW. Then, a lengthy storyline built to their break-up, with Billy Gunn disappearing from TV while Bowens and Caster continued on as singles wrestlers. Both men are undeniably talented, but I think it's clear at this point that they are better together than apart.Though he has a tendency to rub some people the wrong way with his choice of words, Caster has charisma. The problem is that he isn't quite as exciting to watch once the match begins, which wound up becoming his entire gimmick as a singles performer. As for Bowens, he has the opposite issue he's reliable in the ring, but lacks the over-the-top personality required for professional wrestling. That's why their partnership worked as well as it did; they were extremely successful at making up for the other's deficits.It's possible to speculate on the reasoning behind the break-up, but nothing has been said publicly to shed light on what took place. All I know is that the two should've stuck together. Looking at the tag team landscape in AEW right now, it's hard not to think about what could've been had The Acclaimed reunion lasted, while their futures as separate performers are now up in the air.
