Gay wrestler Anthony Bowens won big over the weekend at what organizers said was the biggest ever pro-wrestling event in Europe. Photo: AEW
Gay wrestler Anthony Bowens won big over the weekend at what organizers said was the biggest ever pro-wrestling event in Europe.
Bowens, 32, competes as part of the AEW (All Elite Wrestling) stable. He made history Sept. 21 when he became the first out gay champion for AEW. Bowens and wrestling partner Max Caster won the AEW World Tag Team championships.
AEW All in London
On Sunday, AEW held its World Championship event in front of 81,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London
Anthony Bowens and Max Caster compete together as The Acclaimed. But for this one, they were joined by teammate Billy Gunn. The three fought in the Trios category.
They won with a defeat over the House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews).
Bowens was in awe of the event and his victory.
“I still can’t process any of this. Thank you to everyone who has ever believed in me!” he said on Instagram.
Last week, Bowens posted a video of himself engaged in a sweaty workout. He was in preparation for what he said would be the “biggest match” of his life in London.
Getting into the ring
Bowens was raised in New Jersey and came out as bisexual in January 2017, but a couple of years later said he identified as gay.
He was passed over by WWE in 2015, but Bowens made a name for himself on the independent wrestling circuit.
In 2020, he signed a five-year deal with AEW and his profile soared. Bowens relocated to Los Angeles.
After Bowens made history when he and Caster won in September at the AEW Dynamite meet in New York City, he posted an emotional video to his social media about triumphing as a gay man, telling people “Everything gets better.”
‘He’s gay!’
In June, Bowens made headlines at the AEW Rampage event. A female reporter entered the ring and said it was clear Bowens was attracted to her. Bowens corrected her, telling her he was gay. It’s unclear if the woman really didn’t know Bowens was gay; after, all, he had been out for approximately three years.
Nevertheless, the crowd then enthusiastically chanted “He’s gay.”
Bowens later said the support from the crowd moved him.
