Backstage Notes On Anthony Bowens AEW Rampage Segment
Viral segment saw star make pronouncements to tremendous reaction.
In case you missed it, AEW had its own shout-out to Pride Month on Rampage Friday night, and it got quite the reaction.
The Acclaimed had just defeated three jobbers in trios action, only to be interrupted by Harley Cameron and a couple of backup dancers as she tried to ingratiate herself with the former AEW Tag Team Champions by rapping to them. Cameron also hit on Anthony Bowens, who quickly rebuffed her by proclaiming he was gay, which drew a tremendous reaction from the Chicago crowd, chanting, "He's gay!" in the most positive manner. The segment has garnered more than 5 million views on Twitter since then.
Of course, it turned out it was all a ruse for QTV to debut its newest member, Johnny TV.
Fightful Select reports that the segment was put together largely by Billy Gunn and QT Marshall, who also were part of the angle. Marshall reportedly talked with Bowens about stating on the show that he was gay - if he was comfortable with it. Fightful says that Bowens was "a little nervous" but ended up happy with the result, evidenced by his well-received tweet from Friday night.
If ya 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.
It’s pretty cool to see how far we’ve come. Still more work to do. Happy Pride #AEWRampage pic.twitter.com/CgBM8QJWWn
Advertisement— Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) June 24, 2023
Fightful notes that the angle was initially scheduled for Dynamite, but it was moved to Rampage to give it more time.