June 27, 2023
Watch: Out Wrestler's Fans Let Flirty Female Journalist Know 'He's Gay!'
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Once regarded as a homophobic corner of the sports world, the wrestling ring just might be growing more accepting. An arena full of fans exploded into supportive chants of "He's gay!" when out wrestling champ Anthony Bowens clued a female reporter in on why he was not - as she assumed - "into" her.
In a video clip on YouTube, QTV's Heather Cameron enters the ring and shares an ear-splitting song. As the ditty winds down, she caresses Bowens' face and declares, "It's pretty clear that you're into me!"
Bowens, who has his own mic, scoffs, "Did you just say that you think I'm into you?"
Cameron responds, "Yeah," in a "No duh" tone of voice.
At that point, Bowens asks, "Very, very serious question: Did you get kicked too many times in the head by a kangaroo when you were a kid?" As Cameron responds in a broadly exaggerated way, Bowens goes on to explain it to her: "I'm gay!"
The packed arena explodes with laughter before the audience underscores the point with a chant of, "He's gay! He's gay! He's gay!"
The exchange has a rehearsed feeling to it; indeed, Wrestling Headlines reported that "the segment was largely put together by QT Marshall and Billy Gunn (Daddy Ass)."
"Marshall reportedly spoke with Bowens about whether he was comfortable proclaiming that he was gay on television, something that Bowens was all for."
Wrestling Headlines further reported "that the segment was originally scheduled for AEW Dynamite, but it was moved to AEW Rampage so it could have the proper time."
"While Bowens is openly out in his real-life, this was the first time he's spoken about his sexuality on AEW programming," Wrestling Headlines noted in a followup. "The segment has since garnered over 5 million views across social platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram."
The exchange may have been all part of the show, but the crowd's chant reflected genuine support for the popular wrestler, who, along with Max Caster, is one half of the tag team known collectively as The Acclaimed.
"If you told me years ago I'd have an arena chanting HE'S GAY at me in the most POSITIVE of ways, I'd say you're crazy," Bowens posted in text that accompanied the video. "There's obviously still progress to be made but I'm proud at how far we've come. Happy Pride #AEWRampage."
After posting the clip on Twitter on June 23, Bowens returned to the platform to celebrate the clip's popularity - and throw a little shade at Twitter owner Elon Musk, under whose tenure, a recent study indicated, Twitter has slid deeper into hate speech.
"This app has been beyond negative and atrocious since the sale, so I'm happy The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass have been able to spread love and positivity on here this weekend. ✂️✂️✂️"
Watch the full exchange below:
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.