Backstage Update On Cult AEW Act's Upcoming Expiring Contracts (AEW News)

Anthony and Max Caster's time with AEW could be coming to an end.

AEW The Acclaimed Max Caster Anthony Bowens
AEW.com

With previous reports noting that Anthony Bowens and Max Caster's existing AEW deals were up next month, there's now an update of sorts on that topic.

Per Fightful Select, Bowens and Caster's contracts are up at the start of October, meaning they've only got a week or so left before they'd become free agents. From those that Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp has reached out to, there haven't been any negotiations about a new deal for the former Acclaimed duo, and there's been no word on whether the two will be offered any sort of deal. SRS did also reiterate that he'd not heard that Bowens and Caster won't be offered contracts, too, adding that all things appear to be quiet on this front right now.

It was back in August that word first surfaced that Max Caster's AEW contract was coming up, and that news was followed in September by reports that Anthony Bowens was in the same position. As a team, the Acclaimed held the AEW Tag Team Championships and AEW Trios Championships (with Billy Gunn), but it's been a stop-start few years for the pair, be that as a tag act or as singles stars.

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For Anthony Bowens, he's been a semi-regular presence on AEW TV in 2026, becoming a member of the Opps, and last being in action on the All In pre-show last month, where he was part of an eight-man tag bout. In the case of Max Caster, though, it's been a far less fruitful year in All Elite, having not competed for Tony Khan's promotion since a battle royal back in December. However, Max has been fairly busy on the independent scene, last competing for Beyond Wrestling in July.

So, with the clock ticking down, it remains to be seen what's next for Anthony Bowens and Max Caster, whether either man re-ups with AEW, or whether one or both of them find themselves exploring free agency.

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