Efforts by Tony Khan to bring back a top AEW tag team have hit a stumbling block as one key member, Anthony Bowens, expressed discomfort with the current direction. The Tony Khan AEW tag team reunion initiative has become the focus of backstage tension, with the star openly reaching out to Khan about the ongoing situation.
Anthony Bowens Voices Concerns on Reunion Strategy
Anthony Bowens, best known for his role in the acclaimed tag team “The Acclaimed” alongside Max Caster, has experienced both success and friction in AEW. Originally singles competitors, Bowens and Caster were combined as a team by Tony Khan in 2020, quickly ascending through AEW’s tag division and ultimately capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championships in 2022.
The success story, however, began to unravel when Max Caster started drawing more attention, creating tension within the tag team. The heightened friction led to their split during the January 2025 episode of Collision: Maximum Carnage. Despite going their separate ways, Bowens and Caster briefly reunited to defeat The Swirl—a team consisting of Blake Christian and Lee Johnson—in September.
Recently, AEW has prompted the duo to participate in a series of team-building exercises, hinting at an official reunion. Yet, this push has not been universally welcomed. Bowens chose to voice his frustrations publicly via X, appealing directly to Tony Khan regarding his dissatisfaction working alongside Caster.
“Dear Tony, I understand what you’re trying to do but PLEASE..NO MORE TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES. It’s driving me nuts. @TonyKhan With Love, The Pride of Pro Wrestling.”
– Anthony Bowens, Wrestler
AEW Addresses The Young Bucks’ Future Amidst Tag Team Turmoil
While tension simmers in The Acclaimed’s camp, another leading AEW tag team—the Young Bucks—are the subject of speculation about their professional future. Backstage rumors of retirement have fueled uncertainty, yet Tony Khan has stepped in to address their status directly. In his recent announcement, Khan confirmed that the Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, are not retiring just yet. Instead, they are set to compete in a pivotal four-way tag team match at Dynamite: Maximum Carnage, with the winners earning an opportunity to challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.
“MAXIMUM CARNAGE #AEWDynamite 8pm ET/7pm CT THIS WEDNESDAY, 1/14 @YoungBucks vs @TheKaun / @ToaLiona vs @Jet2Flyy / @SpeedballBailey vs @DUNKZILLADavis / @JakeSomething_ ON DYNAMITE THIS WEDNESDAY: It will be a 4-Way Tag Team Fight for a future shot at FTR’s [All Elite Wrestling] World Tag Team Title!”
– Tony Khan, AEW CEO
The wrestling community now awaits to see if the Young Bucks can convert this opportunity into another championship run, as FTR stands ready to defend the coveted titles.
Implications for AEW’s Tag Team Landscape
The recent developments highlight both the volatility and opportunity within AEW’s tag team division. The Tony Khan AEW tag team reunion efforts, while ambitious, reveal the personal and creative challenges involved in reuniting established acts like The Acclaimed. With iconic teams such as the Young Bucks also at a crossroads, AEW’s tag team scene faces significant decisions that could set the tone for upcoming months.
As Tony Khan manages the complex personalities of Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, and the rest of the division, the direction he chooses may determine the future hierarchy in All Elite Wrestling’s tag team ranks. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely as events continue to unfold on Dynamite and beyond.
Dear Tony,
I understand what you’re trying to do but PLEASE..NO MORE TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES. It’s driving me nuts. @TonyKhan
With Love,
The Pride of Pro Wrestling (@AEW) ✌🏽 https://t.co/lQ8N2311rm
— Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) January 13, 2026
