Max Caster

Caster trained under Brian Myers and Pat Buck at their Create A Pro Wrestling Academy and made his debut for the school's promotion in February 2015, later becoming the inaugural CAP Champion in December of that year. He wrestled on the independent circuit for a number of promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling. He also made a WWE appearance as Frances, one of Bobby Lashley's (kayfabe) sisters, on the May 21, 2018 episode of Raw.{{cite web|last1=Rose|first1=Bryan|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/aew-signs-anthony-bowens-and-max-caster-324256|title=AEW signs Anthony Bowens and Max Caster|website=F4Wonline.com|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020}}

{{Main article|The Acclaimed}}

Caster made his first appearance for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the June 23, 2020 episode of Dark as a heel, teaming with Luther and Serpentico in a losing effort against Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt).{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/aew-news/159734-aew-dark-results-for-june-23-2020/|title=AEW Dark Results – 6/23/20 (Brian Cage in action, Orange Cassidy vs. Peter Avalon)|work=WrestleView.com|first=Mike|last=Tedesco|date=June 23, 2020|accessdate=June 26, 2020}} He came back with his new tag team partner Anthony Bowens on the October 27 episode of Dark but lost to Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent).{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-results/aew-dark-results-cutler-vs-avalon-iii-hikaru-shida-vs-leyla-hirsch-323736|title=AEW Dark Results: Cutler vs. Avalon III, Hikaru Shida vs. Leyla HirschH|work=F4WOnline.com|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|first=Parker|last=Klyn|date=October 27, 2020|accessdate=October 31, 2020}} In November 2020, AEW President Tony Khan announced that Caster, alongside Bowens, had been signed to a five-year contract with the promotion.{{cite web|last1=Lambert|first1=Jeremy|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aew-signs-anthony-bowens-and-max-caster-contracts|title=AEW Signs Anthony Bowens And Max Caster To Contracts, Bowens And Caster Comment|website=Fightful|date=November 3, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/note-on-how-long-recent-aew-contracts-are-for-younger-talent/|title=Note On How Long Recent AEW Contracts Are For Younger Talent|work=411Mania|first=Joseph|last=Lee|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 5, 2020}} The announcement also stated that Bowens and Caster would compete as a tag team named The Acclaimed. Caster and Bowens made their first appearance on the December 16 episode of Dynamite, defeating SoCal Uncensored.{{cite web |last1=Boutwell |first1=Josh |title=AEW Dynamite Results – 12/16/20 (Omega vs. Janela, 12-Man Tag, Cody Rhodes, Sting and more) |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/aew-dynamite-results/181183-aew-dynamite-results-12-16-20-omega-vs-janela-12-man-tag-cody-rhodes-sting-and-more/ |website=Wrestleview |date=16 December 2020}} The following week, Caster and Bowens unsuccessfully challenged The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |title=12/23 AEW Dynamite TV Report: Keller's report on Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed, Jericho & MJF vs. Top Flight, Sting interview with Schiavone, more |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/12/23/12-23-aew-dynamite-tv-report-kellers-report-on-young-bucks-vs-the-acclaimed-jericho-mjf-vs-top-flight-sting-interview-with-schiavone-more/ |website=Pro Wrestling Torch |date=24 December 2020}}

On the March 3, 2021, episode of Dynamite, Caster defeated 10 to qualify for the Face of the Revolution ladder match at Revolution.{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Bryan |title=Max Caster qualifies for ladder match at AEW Revolution |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/max-caster-qualifies-ladder-match-aew-revolution-334856 |website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results |language=en |date=3 March 2021}} However, at Revolution, the match was won by Scorpio Sky.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=AEW Revolution results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley in an Exploding Barbed Wire Death Match for the AEW Championship, Young Bucks vs. Chris Jericho and MJF for the AEW Tag Titles, surprise debut, Face of the Revolution ladder match for a TNT Title shot|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/03/07/aew-revolution-results-powells-live-review-of-kenny-omega-vs-jon-moxley-in-an-exploding-barbed-wire-death-match-for-the-aew-championship-young-bucks-vs-chris-jericho-and-mjf-for-the-aew-tag-titl/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=March 7, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2021}} At Double or Nothing on May 30, Caster competed in the Casino Battle Royale, but he was eliminated by Christian Cage.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Kenny Omega vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Pac for the AEW Championship, Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker for the AEW Women's Title, Miro vs. Lance Archer for the TNT Title, The Young Bucks vs. Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston for the AEW Tag Titles, The Pinnacle vs. The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/05/30/aew-double-or-nothing-results-powells-live-review-of-kenny-omega-vs-orange-cassidy-vs-pac-for-the-aew-championship-hikaru-shida-vs-britt-baker-for-the-aew-womens-title-miro-vs-lance-archer/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=May 30, 2021|access-date=May 30, 2021}} On the August 3 episode of Dark, while making his entrance, Caster rapped about subjects such as Olympic gymnast Simone Biles' mental health issues, the Duke lacrosse case, the validity of PCR COVID-19 testing, and made a sexual joke about Julia Hart. AEW owner Tony Khan called the rap "terrible", said it should have been edited out of the show and announced that he would personally be taking over the editing of the show. Caster was later removed from several independent events and AEW programming following the incident.{{citation|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/tony-khan-terrible-max-caster-aew-dark-rap-shouldnt-have-aired-349021|title=Tony Khan: 'Terrible' Max Caster AEW Dark Rap Shouldn't Have Aired|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=August 4, 2021|access-date=August 4, 2021}} He returned to action at Dark: Elevation on September 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/max-caster-makes-aew-return-during-dark-elevation-tapings-352111|title=Max Caster Makes AEW Return During Dark: Elevation Tapings|work=F4WOnline.com|first=Bryan|last=Rose|date=September 1, 2021|accessdate=September 5, 2021}}

Image:The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn 2022-12-07 (AEW, Dynamite, HEB Center, Cedar Park).jpg

In September 2022, The Acclaimed turned face due to the favorable crowd reactions they would receive. On September 21, 2022, at Grand Slam, The Acclaimed, with Billy Gunn as their manager, would win the AEW World Tag Team Championship from Swerve In Our Glory (Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland). On February 8, 2023, after 140 days as champions, they lost the championships to Colten and Austin Gunn on Dynamite. At All In, Caster, Bowens and Billy won the AEW World Trios Championship from The House of Black. At Dynasty: Zero Hour on April 21, 2024, ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions Bullet Club Gold (Jay White, Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn) defeated Caster, Bowens, and Billy for the AEW World Trios Championship in a winner takes all championship unification match to unify the titles as the Unified World Trios Championship, ending their reign at a record 238 days.{{Cite web |title=Bullet Club Gold Are The Unified World Trios Champions |url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/bullet-club-gold-are-the-unified-trios-champions |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=AEW|date=April 22, 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Haley |date=April 21, 2024 |title=Bullet Club Gold Become the Inaugural Unified World Trios Champions at AEW Dynasty |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/bullet-club-gold-become-the-inaugural-unified-world-trios-champions-at-aew-dynasty/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=ComicBook |language=}} The Acclaimed then began a feud with The Young Bucks, defeating them on the June 19 episode of Dynamite, in a eliminator match to earn a future shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship.{{Cite web |last=Rueter |first=Sean |date=2024-06-19 |title=The Acclaimed force The Young Bucks to defend their AEW Tag titles |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2024/6/19/24182086/acclaimed-win-aew-dynamite-eliminator-young-bucks-force-world-tag-team-championship-match |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}} The Acclaimed were also a part of Team AEW that defeated The Elite in a Blood and Guts match on July 24 at the namesake event. On the August 14 episode of Dynamite, The Acclaimed's title match against The Young Bucks ended in a disqualification loss due to interference from FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler).{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2024-08-14 |title=AEW Dynamite results (8/14): Powell's live review of The Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed for the AEW Tag Team Titles, Mercedes Mone vs. Hikaru Shida for the TBS Title |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/08/14/aew-dynamite-results-8-14-powells-live-review-of-the-young-bucks-vs-the-acclaimed-for-the-aew-tag-team-titles-mercedes-mone-vs-hikaru-shida-for-the-tbs-title-2/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}} On August 25 at All In, The Acclaimed once again failed to win the titles from The Young Bucks in a three-way tag team match, also involving FTR.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2024-08-25 |title=AEW All In results: Powell's live review of Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Mariah May for the AEW Women's Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/08/25/aew-all-in-results-powells-live-review-of-swerve-strickland-vs-bryan-danielson-for-the-aew-world-championship-toni-storm-vs-mariah-may-for-the-aew-womens-championship/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}

Between November 2024 and January 2025, Caster began to tease a heel turn, referring to himself as the "best wrestler alive" and declared himself as the leader of The Acclaimed.{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Cain A. |date=2024-11-02 |title=Something is wrong with The Acclaimed |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2024/11/2/24286519/aew-collision-results-nov-2-2024-the-acclaimed-tension-breakup-tease-angle-mvp-hurt-syndicate-promo |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}} On January 18 (taped January 16) at the Collision edition of Maximum Carnage, Caster cemented his heel turn and disbanded The Acclaimed after Bowens chose to side with Gunn over him.{{Cite web |last=Rueter |first=Sean |date=2024-11-23 |title=Tensions between The Acclaimed help Private Party retain at Full Gear |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2024/11/23/24304339/aew-full-gear-private-party-retain-tag-titles-4-way-acclaimed-break-up-tease |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Doc-Chris |title=AEW Collision Maximum Carnage Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10151346-aew-collision-maximum-carnage-results-winners-live-grades-reaction-and-highlights |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} After disbanding The Acclaimed, Caster began his open challenge series on Dynamite and Collision, losing to various wrestlers such as Rush, "Hangman" Adam Page, Brody King, Jay White, Konosuke Takeshita, Hook, Mark Briscoe, Hologram and Daniel Garcia.{{Cite web |title=RUSH Returns On AEW Collision {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/rush-returns-aew-collision |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2025-02-13 |title=AEW Dynamite results (2/12): Barnett's live review of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. Gunn Club for the AEW Tag Titles, MJF vs. Dustin Rhodes, Death Riders vs. Undisputed Kingdom for the AEW Trios Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/12/aew-dynamite-results-2-12-barnetts-live-review-of-bobby-lashley-and-shelton-benjamin-vs-gunn-club-for-the-aew-tag-titles-mjf-vs-dustin-rhodes-death-riders-vs-undisputed-kingdom-for-the-aew-t/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=AEW Collision (2/22/2025) Results: Two Title Matches, Gabe Kidd, Julia Hart, Hologram, More Set {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-collision-2222025-results-two-title-matches-gabe-kidd-julia-hart-hologram-more-set |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-06 |title=AEW Dynamite live results: Revolution go-home show |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-results/aew-dynamite-live-results-revolution-go-home-show/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-12 |title=AEW Dynamite live results: International title eliminator tournament begins |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-results/aew-dynamite-live-results-revolution-fallout/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=AEW COLLISION RESULTS (3/22): "Slam Dunk Saturday" featuring Daniel Garcia vs. Adam Cole, Max Caster Open Challenge, Julia vs. Aminata, more |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2025/03/23/aew-collision-results-3-22-slam-dunk-saturday-featuring-daniel-garcia-vs-adam-cole-max-caster-open-challenge-julia-vs-aminata-more/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=A. E. W. |date=2025-04-06 |title=AEW Collision Results for April 5, 2025 |url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/aew-collision-results-for-april-5-2025 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=All Elite Wrestling |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Pizzazz |first=Manolo Has |date=2025-04-27 |title=Max Caster survived against undefeated wrestler on AEW Collision |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2025/4/27/24418816/max-caster-survived-against-undefeated-wrestler-on-aew-collision |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}} On April 6 at Dynasty Zero Hour, Caster was defeated by former Acclaimed stablemate, Bowens, in his open challenge.{{Cite web |title=411MANIA |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/anthony-bowens-returns-aew-dynasty-zero-hour-max-caster/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Anthony Bowens Returns On AEW Dynasty Zero Hour, Defeats Max Caster |language=en-US}}

Caster's father is former NFL player Rich Caster.{{cite web|last1=Barrasso|first1=Justin|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/i-left-my-wallet/left-my-wallet-aews-max-caster-sports-hip-hop-and-wrestling-331401|title=Left My Wallet: AEW's Max Caster on Sports, Hip-Hop and Wrestling

|work=Wrestling Observer|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2021}} Caster's father died on February 2, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Keith |first1=J. T. |date=February 4, 2024 |title=Richard Caster, former Jackson State star and New York Jets tight end, dies at 75 |url=https://eu.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2024/02/04/rich-caster-dies-new-york-jets-stats-jackson-state-parkinsons-disease/72473113007/ |access-date=February 5, 2024 |publisher=Mississippi Clarion Ledger}}

Caster, under his alias Platinum Max, provided several original tracks for the soundtrack to AEW's first video game release AEW Fight Forever, which were later made available to stream as a collection titled "Songs From a Video Game".{{cite web |title=Max Caster Songs From AEW Fight Forever Now Available To Stream |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/max-caster-songs-from-aew-fight-forever-now-available-to-stream/ |website=WrestlingHeadlines |date=July 3, 2023 |access-date=July 9, 2024}}

• Critically Acclaimed, Vol.1 (2021)

File:Billy Gunn and the Acclaimed.jpg in August 2023.]]

• All Elite Wrestling
• AEW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Anthony Bowens{{cite web|url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-world-tag-team-championship-his|title=Official AEW World Tag Team Championship Title History|publisher=All Elite Wrestling}}
• AEW World Trios Championship (1 time) – with Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn
• WrestlePro
• WrestlePro Platinum Championship (1 time, current)
• Create A Pro Wrestling
• CAP Championship (2 times, inaugural){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2898|title=CAP Championship|work=Cagematch.net|accessdate=April 5, 2021}}
• CAP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bobby Orlando and Bryce Donovan{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3120|title=CAP Tag Team Champion|work=Cagematch.net|accessdate=April 5, 2021}}
• CAP Championship Tournament (2015)cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=3802
• National Wrestling League
• NWL Heavyweight Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=716|title=NWL Heavyweight Championship|work=Cagematch.net|accessdate=April 5, 2021}}
• NWL Vista Championship (1 time)cite web|url= https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=239333
• New York Post
• Male Breakout Wrestler of the Year (2022) {{small|shared with Anthony Bowens}}{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2022/12/27/the-posts-2022-pro-wrestling-awards/|title=The Post's 2022 pro wrestling awards|work=New York Post|first=Joseph|last=Staszewski|date=December 27, 2022|accessdate=December 30, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229231432/https://nypost.com/2022/12/27/the-posts-2022-pro-wrestling-awards/|url-status=live}}
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
• Ranked No. 171 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2022.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2022|work=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=November 19, 2022}}
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
• Most Improved (2022) with Anthony Bowens as The Acclaimed{{cite web|url=https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228204042/https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |title=2022 Wrestling Observer Awards Results |work=WrestlePurists |author=Jaymond P |date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023}}{{Cite journal|title=February 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|date=February 2023|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=19761|wrestlingdata=32787|iwd=max-caster-12519}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-bef|before = Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee}}

{{s-ttl|title = 9th AEW World Tag Team Champion | years = September 21, 2022 – present | with = Anthony Bowens}}

{{s-aft|after = The Gunn Club
(Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn)}}

{{s-end}}

{{AEW World Trios Championship}}

{{AEW World Tag Team Championship}}

{{All Elite Wrestling}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Caster, Max}}

Category:Living people

Category:African-American professional wrestlers

Category:American male professional wrestlers

Category:All Elite Wrestling personnel

Category:Sportspeople from Nassau County, New York

Category:1989 births

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:20th-century African-American people

Category:People from Rockville Centre, New York

Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers

Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers

Category:Professional wrestlers from New York City

Category:AEW World Tag Team Champions

Category:AEW World Trios Champions