The recent, reluctant reunion of The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster) on AEW Collision was reportedly not the original creative direction for the popular duo, according to a new report from Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp. The former AEW World Tag Team Champions have been forced to team up in recent weeks by AEW coach Jerry Lynn, despite their clear animosity toward each other following their split earlier this year. This new storyline has been a featured part of Saturday night programming, but it was apparently a creative pivot from the company’s initial plans.
According to Sapp, the original plan was for both Caster and Bowens to continue their respective singles runs. However, after their former mentor, Billy Gunn, was written off of television, the decision was made to put the two back together, albeit with their new hostile dynamic. Sapp also speculated that AEW creative likely did not anticipate that Max Caster’s “Best Wrestler Alive” open challenge gimmick would get over with the fans as much as it did, which may have also influenced the decision to shift plans.
The storyline has seen the disgruntled team pick up victories, but their post-match interviews have emphasized their displeasure. On a recent episode of Collision, both men begged Tony Khan to never make them team up again, with Bowens declaring himself “The Pride of Professional Wrestling” and Caster proclaiming he is the “Best Wrestler Alive,” insisting they are “not The Acclaimed.” It remains to be seen if this angle will lead to a full-fledged babyface reunion or a new run as a heel tag team.
Thanks for checking out this article. Make sure to follow Jeff Jarrett and all things GFE on Facebook.
