Anthony Bowens

If you've ever been lucky enough to hear the crowd at All Elite Wrestling (AEW) chant, “The Acclaimed have arrived!” then damn, I’m jealous. That energy fuels the one and only Anthony Bowens. Half of The Acclaimed, a former AEW World Tag Team Champion, and the longest-reigning AEW World Trios Champion, Anthony Bowens is a top-tier performer with a killer elbow drop.

Before arenas chanted his name, Bowens worked hard to establish his reputation. Trained in the early 2010s, Bowens fought his way through the independent wrestling scenes across the United States, where he quickly garnered attention for backbreakers, gutbuster variations, suplexes, and, of course, his signature finisher, ‘The Arrival’. His breakthrough came when he joined AEW as part of the tag team The Acclaimed with Max Caster, who would rap insults about his opponents. The duo's charisma, humour, and crowd engagement captivated the audience with a knockout impact, making them rapid fan favourites. The Acclaimed are recognised for being a mix of power and technical skill, full of main-event energy. The talented pair captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship, with thousands of fans enthusiastically “scissoring” along. Not only is Bowens a powerhouse wrestler and a sharp-tongued performer, but he is also openly gay.

Professional wrestling has traditionally relied on exaggerated masculinity and macho stereotypes, with openly LGBTQ+ male wrestlers rarely seen on major platforms. The likes of Pat Patterson, a legendary wrestler who came out later in life, and Darren Young, the first openly gay active wrestler in WWE, helped open doors for a sport still growing in LGBTQ+ representation. Bowens then became the first openly gay male champion in a major American wrestling organisation. This achievement was significant not only for Bowens but also for increasing LGBTQ+ visibility in wrestling.

After struggling with his sexuality for years, Bowens publicly came out on his boyfriend’s YouTube channel before reaching AEW’s biggest spotlight. With the love and respect of his wrestling peers behind him, Bowens stepped onto national television and didn’t hide or police who he was: confident, funny, competitive, and openly gay. He simply exists as himself. Bowens has said he’s aware of the pressure that comes with visibility: wrestling crowds that are loud, passionate, and sometimes unpredictable. Bowens has remained steadfast, consistently using his platform to inspire younger fans that authenticity doesn’t have to be sacrificed to succeed. This kind of representation is important to Bowens, as it is to many LGBTQ+ people, because he didn’t see much of it growing up.

Bowens belongs to a generation helping to shift a culture. His story isn’t just about championships and catchphrases but about authentically showing up in a sport that has historically – and quite ironically (come on: hot men in tight, short trunks!) – hasn’t made it easy. Now, Pride-themed gear is seen on major broadcasts, and queer wrestlers headline big matches. His ongoing success shows how far the industry has come and how visibility can transform a space often defined by strict norms.