Max Caster steps away from wrestling following TNA firing

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Last week started with controversy after Max Caster referenced recent attacks on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during his TNA debut on the Bound for Glory PPV Sunday night (Oct. 11). By the end of the day Monday, TNA announced it was severing ties with the former AEW Tag champ. Caster issued an apology the next day. He made his first appearance since that news cycle tonight (Oct. 17) at Awesome Championship Wrestling’s Mischief Night II in Poughkeepsie, New York. Max wasn’t promoted for the show on ACW’s website or Ticketmaster’s, he was again a mystery opponent. This time he faced ACW National champ Zack Clayton. After taking the loss, Caster got on the mic to tell the crowd: “I don’t know if everybody here is aware of what happened with me this past week. If you don’t know, in the span of one day, I started a contract and ended a contract with TNA Wrestling. I put out a statement, I addressed it and apologized to a lot of people. But the one group I didn’t get the apologize to is all the fans. “So guys, I really appreciate the support, everybody who’s reached out after this happened. A lot of people were excited to watch TNA for the first time, a lot of people were excited to come back to the product — and now a lot of people are disappointed that I’m not on the show. “Thank you guys here at ACW for welcoming me. And for that I say, I love you and thank you. “I don’t know what my next move is. I don’t know where I’ll be. But I will be stepping away from the ring for an extended period of time. So I’m gonna go home, I’m gonna go to therapy, I’m gonna get it right, so that the next time I’m in the ring it feels like I’m at home just like you guys made me feel here tonight. “So finally, for the last time in a long time, you are looking at the best pro wrestler alive. Thank you.” Max Caster announces a hiatus from wrestling at Awesome Championship Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/7bxFvG1rzg — John Gjoni (@JohnGjoni) October 17, 2026 Caster’s entire promo got mixed reactions from the crowd. We’ll see what kind of reaction he gets when — or maybe if? — he returns.