Jul 2
Out Pro Wrestler Anthony Bowens Reveals Soap Opera Role
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Think that pro wrestling is a soap opera with muscles? If so, then it's been good training for out champ Anthony Bowens' next role.
Bowens, 34, took to X (formerly Twitter) on June 30 to vent his frustration at a haircut he disliked, but then followed up with a surprise announcement: "In better news," the AEW World Trios Champion posted, "I just landed my first tv role on a soap opera!"
Bowens, never shy, added: "I am The Pride of Pro Wrestling ✌🏽".
In the string of messages leading up to the reveal, Bowens complained about a haircut "which he called the worst of his life after utilizing a new barber," Soap Opera Network noted.
The gripes included a number of shirtless selfies as Bowens sought fans' advice about which hat to wear to cover up the disappointing 'do.
This isn't the first glimpse into Bowens' acting ambitions. Last year, when Joaquin Phoenix dramatically exited a planned Todd Haynes movie about a private detective fleeing to Mexico with his male lover, Bowens put himself out there for the role, but to no avail; the film, which had been on the verge of starting production when Phoenix bailed, never got made.
Bowens' fans were keen, though, to see the champ get his chance at a feature film. While a TV soap might be a bit different from a cineplex blockbuster, it's still a start, and plenty of marquee names have been soap stars early in their careers.
Fans responded with supportive tweets.
"Hell yeah, my guy!" one person posted, while another cheered, "Congratulations!! Your hard work is paying off".
Quipped a third: "The bold and the body slam".
Many wondered which soap Bowens was talking about, and some speculated that he might be set to appear on "Beyond the Gates," a show that premiered last February and centers on an African American family living in a gated community.
At least one person had a different idea, though:
A number of pro wrestlers have hopped from the canvas to the cinemas, like John Cena, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Dave Bautista. Fans will finally get to see Bowens strut his stuff as an actor, too.
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.
