Following their trios title victory on Sunday, Max Caster and Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed appeared alongside “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn on AEW Dynamite, unveiling a new set of custom title belts. The pink belts don’t clasp like any standard championship belts, though, instead coming together with triangular inlets that connect to mimic the group’s scissoring hand gesture. Before wrapping up, the group promised to defend their titles this weekend.
Following the segment, it was announced by AEW commentator Excalibur that The Acclaimed and Gunn will defend those newly-won titles against Daniel Garcia, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, and “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker this Saturday on AEW Collision. With The Acclaimed and Gunn having just defeated The House of Black for the titles this past Sunday, it will be the first defense for the newly-crowned trio against three men who recently left the Jericho Appreciation Society to strike out on their own.
The Acclaimed and Gunn were able to end a dominant reign on the part of Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews at All In. The group had won the belts back in March from The Elite, and over the course of their run they defended the AEW World Trios Championships against CMFTR, Orange Cassidy and the Best Friends, and even The Acclaimed and Gunn multiple times before they eventually won.
A few months back, after their first unsuccessful challenge for the trios titles, Bowens promised Gunn they would win a title together in 2023. Though Gunn’s character seemingly contemplated retirement in the midst of the feud against The House of Black, Sunday’s match saw Bowens make good on his promise, helping Gunn capture his first championship gold in almost a decade.