Max Caster Booted From TNA As Company Apologizes For Riyadh Rap

Max Caster lost his place in TNA after the company cut ties with him over an entrance rap that referenced deadly attacks in Riyadh.

The promotion announced the decision Monday evening, ending hours of uncertainty over whether the rapper-wrestler would return after his Bound For Glory debut.

“Max Caster will no longer be wrestling for TNA,” the company said in its statement.

TNA also accepted responsibility for letting the remarks reach its audience. It apologized to the people affected by the attacks and said it had pulled the segment from event replays and its social accounts. The company pledged to take steps to prevent a repeat.

“Making light of violent attacks is wrong,” TNA said.

Caster had faced Moose in Tampa on Sunday, October 11, in his first match for the promotion after leaving AEW. During his entrance, he paired a boast about dropping bombs with a reference to flying to Riyadh. He then lost the match to Moose.

The verse landed as Saudi Arabia dealt with repeated strikes on King Khalid International Airport. Saudi authorities said an attack on Saturday killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. Another strike on Sunday killed one person and injured 11, Reuters reported.

Before TNA announced the split, Fightful reported that executives were upset because the line had neither been scripted nor approved.

TNA had hoped to use him at its upcoming television tapings, but those plans were in doubt. The new statement made the company’s decision public, although it did not spell out whether Caster had signed a contract or worked under a verbal agreement.

Earlier Monday, Qatar Pro Wrestling chairman Ali Al-Marafi had urged TNA to hold Caster accountable. He warned that the rap could hurt the promotion’s relationships in the Arab world.

Caster had long made current events part of his wrestling act. In a 2022 AllHipHop interview, he described watching the news throughout the week, saving possible lines and working quickly once he learned who his opponent would be.

“I try and keep an eye on what’s happening in the news, what are the big stories?” he said.

He also acknowledged that sensitive headlines could make that process difficult, while stressing how much he valued a strong opening and closing line to draw a crowd reaction.

TNA’s next television tapings are scheduled for October 13 and 14 at the Dothan Civic Center in Alabama.