Anthony Bowens Felt His AEW Job Was at Risk Due to Max Caster’s Controversies

Anthony Bowens has opened up about a rocky chapter in his AEW run, admitting he once feared for his job because of his tag team partner, Max Caster.

While The Acclaimed recently shared the ring again during an episode of AEW Collision—defeating Blake Christian and Lee Johnson—the tension between Bowens and Caster is far from resolved. After the match, the two left the ring separately and still on bad terms. Now, Bowens is explaining why.

Speaking on Good Karma Wrestling, Bowens revealed the emotional toll he endured behind the scenes:

“People don’t understand what I went through backstage with Max Caster. I can’t be any more genuine – there were times where I thought I was not going to have a job anymore, and that is terrifying as somebody who has always dreamed of being on television, being on Dynamite, wrestling every week.”

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He continued, describing the anxiety of being held accountable for someone else’s actions:

“And then to come to work and potentially have that ripped away for something that you didn’t even do, that’s a petrifying thought.”

Bowens didn’t name specific incidents, but he alluded to repeated controversies involving Caster, including suspensions tied to his raps and social media antics:

“And that’s what I lived with every week tagging with this guy, because – I’m not gonna get into it – there was just occurrence after occurrence after occurrence after occurrence where I was cleaning up this guy’s mess.”

Despite being one of AEW’s most entertaining duos, it’s clear the tension between Bowens and Caster runs deep. Whether their reunion is a one-off or the beginning of a redemption arc remains to be seen.

Anthony Bowens is finally speaking his truth—and it sheds a harsh light on what looked like a fun-loving tag team. Do you think The Acclaimed can truly get back on the same page, or is it time for Bowens to move on solo? Sound off in the comments below.