TNA cut ties with Max Caster immediately after his first match for the promotion at Bound For Glory on Sunday. The decision reportedly came directly from TNA President Carlos Silva.
According to PWInsider, Caster had agreed to a per-appearance deal with TNA and was given creative freedom to perform his trademark entrance rap, but the company did not know in advance what he would say in front of the crowd.
The issue stemmed from Caster’s entrance for his match against Moose, when he referenced the recent attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in a line that drew significant backlash.
“I drop bombs. You don’t even have to fly to Riyadh.”
Some people within AEW reportedly felt TNA should have anticipated that Caster might say something controversial. Those same people acknowledged, however, that drawing reactions with aggressive comments had always been part of Caster’s act and that what happened came as no surprise.
Caster said in a video posted Tuesday that he had spoken with Silva personally after the incident. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, apologized to the people who brought him in and made it clear he understood the decision.
In a 2022 interview, Caster explained that he was generally free to choose the subjects of his raps in AEW, though he acknowledged there were limits. He said at the time that he tried to check with other people when he felt a reference was particularly sensitive.
The exit comes just as TNA prepares for its next round of tapings for Thursday Night iMPACT, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Dothan, Alabama.