Anthony Bowens has already achieved a lot in AEW, but the Acclaimed member hopes to check a big goal of his list.
The current reigning Trios Champion spoke with Out Magazine about becoming the promotion’s first gay world champion.
As much as I hope The Acclaimed, the tag team I’m a part of, stays forever, I would love to become AEW’s first gay World Champion. I got the Tag Team titles checked off the list, but there hasn’t been a gay World Champion. I would also like to be a Grand Slam champion, too, which is where you win every title once,” Bowens told Out Magazine when asked about his goals in AEW.
Bowens would then explain how gay wrestlers no longer have to worry about playing stereotypes that they originally had to in the past.
Thankfully we don’t have to exist anymore being stereotypes or being the fodder in the story. We’re presented as credible athletes and champions like myself or [Nyla Rose]. Wrestling has come a long way with the presentation of queer athletes, which is why I’m particularly happy I’m signed to [All Elite Wrestling]. Tony Khan and the company allow us to be us and whatever that may be, whether it’s Sonny Kiss, who is genderfluid, or Nyla Rose, or myself who now has straight people scissoring each other (laughs). I don’t ever have to worry about upper management trying to change me or direct me to be a certain way. Hopefully, wrestling continues to move in that direction. The independent circuit is doing great because now, there are so many LGBTQ+ wrestlers. It’s come a very long way and I’m excited to see where it continues to go.
The Acclaimed will be appearing on this Saturday’s edition of Collision. Check out the latest lineup for the show here.
