TNA Wrestling announced Monday that Max Caster will no longer appear for the promotion following controversial remarks about deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia during his debut at Bound for Glory on Sunday, October 11.
Caster, a former AEW star, made the remarks during his entrance rap before a match against Moose at the pay-per-view event in Tampa, FL. Referring to recent attacks in Riyadh, Caster rapped, “This the firing squad, I drop bombs, you don’t even need to go to Riyadh.”
In a statement issued Monday, TNA condemned the remarks and confirmed Caster’s departure.
“Making light of violent attacks is wrong. This should never have made it into the show, and that responsibility is ours,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected. We sincerely apologize.”
TNA also said it had removed the segment from replays and social media and was taking steps to prevent similar incidents.
“Max Caster will no longer be wrestling for TNA,” the statement concluded.
Before the announcement, Fightful reported that Caster’s reference to Riyadh was neither scripted nor approved by TNA officials. The report said several executives were unhappy with the remarks, raising questions about his future with the promotion.
The Takedown on Sports Illustrated also reported that TNA had decided against continuing its relationship with Caster. According to that report, the company initially planned to use him at upcoming television tapings, but those plans were reconsidered following the controversy.
Caster had recently departed AEW, where he was best known as one-half of The Acclaimed alongside Anthony Bowens. The team previously held the AEW World Tag Team Championship.
He answered an open challenge from Moose at Bound for Glory, losing the match in what became his only TNA appearance.
Cageside Seats reported that the promotion removed footage of Caster’s entrance from its online platforms shortly after the event, before formally announcing the end of its relationship with him.