Anthony Bowens, All Elite Wrestling’s first openly gay star, is redefining sports entertainment by championing LGBTQ+ visibility and smashing stereotypes.
In a world once hostile to openly queer athletes, Anthony Bowens stands as a powerful and unapologetic symbol of progress. From breaking barriers in the ring to becoming an inspiration for fans around the globe, Bowens’ journey has been one of resilience, authenticity and triumph. As All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) top openly gay star, his influence now reaches new audiences across Aotearoa, with AEW recently arriving on Disney+ in New Zealand.
“It’s cool, and we deserve to be there,” Bowens says. “AEW is a growing brand… Hopefully we can take over the world and have shows there in New Zealand.”
Bowens began his wrestling career in 2012 and publicly came out as gay in 2017, marking a significant personal and professional turning point. At the time, he was unsure how his career would unfold, especially in such a traditionally masculine space.
“That was my biggest fear going into a lot of this. Would my career be able to go where I wanted it to go after I came out? That weighed on my mind for a very, very long time,” he reflects. But instead of setbacks, Bowens found liberation. “It ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me.”
By being open about his identity, Bowens helped reshape the narrative for queer wrestlers. A moment that encapsulated this shift came in 2023 during an AEW segment celebrating Pride Month. In the ring, a comedic storyline ended with a ditzy female heel character making a pass at Bowens, and him proudly declaring, “I’m gay,” prompting fans to erupt into supportive chants. The clip went viral.
“I actually sometimes forget how powerful that moment is until it goes viral again… It’s a reflection of how far pro wrestling has come.”
Bowens is candid about wrestling’s troubled past when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Characters like Goldust were often based on harmful stereotypes or “gay panic” humour. Today, he sees his own presence as helping redefine those old narratives. “It’s really cool to see the progress that’s been made… seeing how many smiles it’s brought to people’s faces is really cool.”
Still, Bowens doesn’t sugar-coat the challenges. “There are still crazy people on the internet who say rough things,” he says, but his focus remains on the positive change he can drive.
For Bowens, being out isn’t just a statement; it’s a commitment to connection. Through meet-and-greets, he’s had the chance to hear from fans whose lives have been touched by his journey. “They tell their story and how they’ve connected to my journey. Sometimes it’s hard not to cry.” One fan shared that he’d bonded with his late partner by watching Bowens on TV. Another revealed that Bowens helped change deeply rooted prejudices he held. “He thanked me for helping him realise that was just one bad person, not reflective of our entire community.”
With his recently reunited tag team, The Acclaimed, Bowens found enormous success in AEW, becoming a Tag Team Champion and Trios Champion. When the group split in 2024, he reinvented himself under a new moniker: The Pride of Pro Wrestling.
“It’s a play on words, highlights who I am, and fits the current [heel] character who can’t understand why he’s not the face of the company despite all his media obligations and advocacy.” Importantly, Bowens is aware of how his persona is perceived and remains thoughtful about the fine balance between visibility and representation. “I think the audience is smart enough to separate it… It’s interesting to have an LGBTQ+ heel who is not presented in the outdated ways it used to be done. I’m just me — and a lot angrier than I used to be.”
Despite the heavy workload and international schedule, Bowens remains grounded thanks to his husband, Michael Pavano, whose own star has risen through viral celebrity impressions on TikTok and YouTube. “When we get home, we make sure we go to dinner or go on a hike to stay connected.”
Visibility comes with its pressures, and Bowens knows he’s paving new ground. “There hasn’t really been an openly gay singles wrestler who’s risen up the ranks. That’s high on my bucket list.” Alongside in-ring achievements, Bowens continues to branch into entertainment — appearing in a 2023 Savage X Fenty Pride campaign, acting, and auditioning for new roles. “I want to be known as one of the best to ever do this… Now with AEW behind me, I want to be a face of the company, someone they take pride in.”
As AEW prepares for its Australia tour during Sydney’s Mardi Gras season, Bowens isn’t ruling out a visit to New Zealand. “I might have to text Tony Khan after this and say, ‘Let’s go!’”
Asked if he has a final message for his Kiwi fans, Bowens keeps it simple:
“Thank you for your support, and make sure you show your Pride every single day.”
