AEW’s backstage atmosphere has notably been praised by many who previously competed in WWE. It seems like this was the case for Max Caster as well, as he cited it as one of the reasons he ultimately chose AEW over WWE. 

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“It was night and day different than working as an extra for WWE. I think I changed in the men’s locker room as opposed to a curtained-off area at the back of the arena,” he said.

Caster also recalled dressing across Brodie Lee, who at the time was one of the biggest names in AEW. “I’m like, ‘Wow, this is actually way different.’ And no one, no one even cared. Everyone is just like, ‘Oh yeah, yeah, you’re here. You’re wrestling today, good for you.'”

He also recounted the fact that The Acclaimed was Tony Khan’s idea, with the AEW CEO pairing him with Anthony Bowens and giving them the name. “I technically didn’t have a deal on the table with WWE, but they were flying me down to come meet and hang out and see if I was a good fit,” he said. 

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Caster also described his and Bowens’ AEW contract signing as a “leap of faith” for both of them, which has clearly paid off since then.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.