“ALWAYS LOOK LARGER THAN LIFE!”

Pro-wrestler Anthony Bowens talks about his boyfriend, being bisexual and what he really thinks of those bulges in tight-fitting lycra wrestling onesies! Interview by Marc Andrews. Photography Ricardo Muniz

He’s a pro-wrestler, hot, and looks awesome in wrestling gear. And he’s taken! Sorry boys, but Anthony Bowens already has a boyfriend. He tells DNA about coming out as bisexual, how he broke his relationship status to the world and what he really thinks of those bulge-hugging wrestling onesies! Interview by Marc Andrews. Photograohy by Ricardo Muniz.

Wrestling is considered not just a heterosexual sport but a homophobic one. American pro-wrestler Anthony Bowens is going to changing that. He’s handsome, hunky and bisexual, which he revealed earlier this year attracting a barrage of criticism… from the gay community.

“The way I see it,” he confided to DNA, “you can’t tell someone how they feel or how they identify. Some people prefer guys more than girls, some prefer girls more than guys, and others, who really don’t have a preference, are okay with both genders equally. It depends on the person and what they prefer. We are all under the same LGBTQ umbrella fighting for the same rights. We need to stick together.”

Born in New Jersey, he’s an American with an Italian father and an African-American mother. Anthony identifies as bisexual and is fully aware that as his pro-wrestling profile grows, especially in the light of this DNA article, he’s likely to attract trolls, and worse.

“I believe at some point, as my career carries on, I’ll eventually run into some issues,” he admits, “and I’m well prepared for that. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge or let adversity scare me away from accomplishing my goals. I do believe professional sports are moving in the right direction.”

Next stop for Anthony: not just World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) domination, but world domination! DNA: Some people don’t appreciate the appeal of entertainment wrestling. Talk us through the magic as you see it.

Anthony Bowens: Pro Wrestling is an art but, more specifically, it’s sports entertainment. People tend to compare it to combat sports like MMA or the UFC. You have to look at it as if you are watching a movie. We tell stories in the ring with over-the-top characters, body language, dialogue and high-risk moves. The only difference is that our performances are live in front of an audience. We don’t have the safety net of doing multiple takes. You either nail it in one shot or you look like an idiot in front of a lot of people. Plus, we are our own stunt men. If viewers change their perspective on how they watch wrestling, they might appreciate the art of it a little more.

When did you first get involved in wrestling?

I started wrestling training in 2012 and made my debut in 2013. Before that I’d been playing baseball for 11 years and decided I needed a new challenge. My friends and I made a comedy wrestling video on YouTube in 2011. I received a lot of feedback that I looked like a wrestler and should give it a try professionally. I have been a fan of pro-wrestling >>

I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge or let adversity scare me…

>> all my life but the thought that I could actually be one never crossed my mind. A year later, I met former WWE Superstar Santino Marella lifting at my local gym. He recommended I check out a wrestling school called Create-A-Pro Wrestling Academy. I showed up to watch a class and within five minutes knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.

Pro Wrestling is a kind of soft-core porn. Please discuss!

I don’t think so. I can see how some people would think that considering what we wear.

Yes, how important is the wrestling outfit?

It’s very important! Our outfits or, as we call it, our gear, is part of our character and it’s how we sell ourselves to an audience. If the gear doesn’t match your character or is just way too bland it can make or break you. You always want to look larger than life so that fans can invest in you.

Does wearing the gear make you feel sexy or turned on, or is it just for sport?

[Laughs] No, it’s purely for the sport!

Have you ever worn it during sex?

No! Nothing about pro-wrestling is sexual for me so I would find it very hard to get turned on by anything knowing that I’m wearing something that I perform in.

Many people now wear wrestling outfits to gay dance parties. What are your views?

If that’s the attire someone wants to wear, that’s fine with me. I’m not much of a dancer, so you won’t find me at many dance parties, but I assume they’d be wearing amateur wrestling gear, like a wrestling singlet. That’s more akin to high school and college wrestling, not so much professional wrestling anymore. Although there are those with really cool designs on them.

Would you ever date another wrestler? Wrestling has always been my escape from the real world, so I can’t imagine ever mixing the two. Thankfully, I’m a happily taken man so that’s not something I have to worry about. If I were single, however, the answer would still be no.

How do straight wrestlers take to wrestling against gay wrestlers?

If you are truly professional there wouldn’t be any issue with it at all. I haven’t been around anyone who, openly, has had issues but I’ve seen on social media recently where there were instances of homophobia. Those kinds of people usually get called out very fast in the wrestling community for being ignorant.

How has your coming out impacted your relationship with straight wrestlers?

If anything, it’s made it more positive. People are more straightforward with me now that they know the true me. Other than that, nothing has changed. I’m still respected by my peers, which is a relief. The only thing that had kept me from coming out completely to the world was my wrestling career. I didn’t want my personal life affecting my professional career negatively. Thankfully, I am now able to put those fears to rest.

What were you like as a kid?

Very, very shy. If you told anyone who knew me >>

>> when I was young that I was going to grow up to be a sports entertainer performing in front of thousands of people each month in his underwear, they would have laughed hysterically. To be honest, it was that way through high school and a bit of college as well. It was my best friends that brought me out of my shell and got me comfortable with expressing my goofy and wacky personality.

Were you bullied at school?

I didn’t experience any of that simply because no one knew or had any idea about my sexuality. Outside of the few that I told, I don’t think anyone really caught on or even suspected until about maybe a year or two ago. I was bullied in other ways, though, when I was younger because I was shy and pretty scrawny and never defended myself. That made me an easy target.

When did you come out?

I first came out in 2010 to my best friend, Greg who I consider a brother. It was one of the scarier things I’ve ever done but I knew he was the right person to tell. He didn’t care at all and was super supportive. Over the years I have slowly and surely let the rest of my core group of friends know and they have all been very supportive. It wasn’t until January this year that I decided it was time to let the world