In the professional wrestling world, few performers are as electric on the microphone as “Platinum” Max Caster has proven to be. The grappling rapper often spits out custom rhymes and lyrics, undoubtedly giving fans something to talk about. Yet this time, it seems that one of the wrestler’s lines may have strayed into controversial territory, and gone a bit too far.
On October 11, Caster made a surprise appearance at TNA Wrestling’s “Bound For Glory” event, answering a open challenge from former champion Moose. It wasn’t long before the debuting talent took the microphone to deliver a scorchingly hot introduction:
“I drop bombs. You don’t even have to fly to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)”
For those who missed it in the world news, that city’s international airport has recently been the target of several enemy missile attacks.
Oops.
Shortly after the conclusion of the event, TNA President Carlos Silva released the following statement on Twitter/X:
“During Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view, insensitive comments were made by Max Caster referencing attacks in Riyadh that killed and injured many people. Making light of violent attacks is wrong. This should never have made it into the show, and that responsibility is ours.
Max Caster will no longer be wrestling for TNA.“
Kind of a “raw” deal for someone making his company debut, don’t you think?
When it comes to wrestling, firing people up with controversial remarks isn’t exactly the newest thing under the sun. For years, some of the industry’s biggest names have routinely crossed the line of good taste, all to provoke a reaction from the viewing audience.
Here are just a few examples.
Yet except for actions taken as part of on-screen storylines, the performers involved have not been subject to any real-world repercussions. That’s because scandal is part of the game; to quote Eric Bischoff, “controversy creates cash”.
Speaking of which, Caster has an interesting assemblage of characters in his corner right now. Coming to the defense of the embattled wrestler is no less than the “Louisville Slugger” himself; Mr. James E. Cornette.
Never one to be at a loss for words, Cornette didn’t hold back when offering his opinion on the current situation.
“Max does have a history of being edgy. So, hear the promo. And there’s nothing else that’s an issue. He didn’t say (blank). He didn’t violate any broadcast standards. Who produced the thing? If he told him one thing and did another, well then all the heat’s on Max. But for trivial BS like this that could have been easily addressed before it became an issue, I don’t understand how this happens.“
The legendary manager and promoter makes a solid point here. TNA President Carlos Silva and other upper management should’ve have known the score; if they didn’t want to use the “bleep button”, then perhaps they shouldn’t have given Caster a live microphone.
One day after Caster’s abrupt release, the rising star made his first public statement about the situation, according to Sportskeeda.
“I want to say thank you to Carlos Silva. I talked to him in person. He was very generous, very professional, even after all this stuff happened. And I understand why he did what he did. It’s his show. He’s got to protect TNA. And I went too far for him. So I want to apologize to him and everybody else in the office. I want to apologize to anyone who vouched for me to get that spot. I feel like I let those people down. Thank you to Moose for sharing your platform with me. And I wish things didn’t turn out the way they did. But I’m proud of that match. And I’m sorry for how things have ended up.“
Now that Max Caster has been given the heave-ho from TNA, he has a bit of a dilemma on his hands regarding future employment.
As a recent release from All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Caster likely won’t be returning to Jacksonville anytime soon. WWE /NXT is probably out as well; the company has a working relationship and alliance with TNA.
Short of diving head-first into the music business, that leaves only a couple of landing spots available to the now free agent. Billy Corgan’s National Wrestling Alliance is one of these, as well as the smaller promotion Major League Wrestling (MLW). Other than that, you might see Caster performing in Mexico or Japan.
Nevertheless, as far as the majors go, it’s most likely “best of luck in your future endeavors” for the young star, at least for now.
The story of professional wrestling is this; one wrestler says or does something confrontational, another takes offense, and the two fight. It’s a tale as old as the business, with many notable examples having occurred over the years.
If we’re now going to cancel wrestlers based on a few remarks made to paying customers, well – that strikes this longtime fan as being pretty freakin’ ridiculous.
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