From controversial rap to champions: the rise and fall of The Acclaimed
In short: In the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, few groups have experienced such dramatic shifts. From a controversial suspension to a record-breaking championship reign, the journey of Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, and Billy Gunn is a masterclass in wrestling storytelling and unexpected alliances.
The Acclaimed, a professional wrestling stable in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), began as a tag team consisting of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens. Conceived by AEW owner Tony Khan, the duo debuted as heels after their first match against Best Friends. Their early career was marked by rapid progression, including immediate five-year contracts, but also significant controversy. In August 2021, Max Caster faced a two-month suspension without pay following a controversial rap performance on AEW Dark that touched on sensitive subjects like Simone Biles' mental health and COVID-19 testing.
The group's dynamics shifted significantly in 2022 when they allied with the Gunn Club, consisting of Billy Gunn and his sons, Austin and Colten Gunn. This alliance eventually dissolved into a rivalry, leading to a "Dumpster Match" in August 2022 won by The Acclaimed. This victory solidified Billy Gunn's role as the group's manager. The team later transitioned from villains to fan favorites after receiving favorable crowd reactions, eventually capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship on a September 21 episode of Dynamite.
The stable reached a peak in 2023, winning the AEW World Trios Championship at All In on August 27. This victory came after a dramatic storyline where Billy Gunn appeared to retire by leaving his boots in the ring following a loss to the House of Black. However, their success was short-lived; they lost their trios titles in a unification match on April 21, 2024. After various feuds and internal tensions—including Caster's claims of being the "best wrestler alive"—the group officially disbanded in January 2025.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Acclaimed
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-the-acclaimed.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Journalism and mass media · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
