All-inclusive AEW celebrates Pride month in styleAs a company All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has embraced the notion of making space for people from all walks of life.
by James Richardson
01-07-2022 13:55
in LGBTQIA+
AEW is all-inclusive. Photo: Supplied by All Elite Wrestling/ Warner Media Africa
As a company All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has embraced the notion of making space for people from all walks of life.
--
AEW hire a diverse array of people both behind and in front of the camera and we spoke to some about their experiences being LGBTQIA in the wrestling business.
AEW is all inclusive Former AEW Women's Champion and Trans trailblazer Nyla Rose, says working for this company is an incredible experience.
It feels great. I mean, it's it's kind of how things should be across the board. Right? There is, not just AEW, but Warner media and the whole team behind us, our network, everybody, it's not just a feather in a cap like it, it truly feels like from the, from the top to the bottom, that we're all a family and everybody's got everybody's back. And that feels incredible. Whereas, you know, a lot of companies, most companies either pay no mind or like write you off, or, you know, don't really support you in those ways. It feels incredible to have a whole team a mass of people, people I don't even know or are aware of behind me 100%.
--
Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero. Photo: All Elite Wrestling/ Warner Media Africa Why representation matters As to why representation matters, Nyla, says its all about bringing people in from the cold.
It matters because you, you want to see yourself represented, you know, growing up, I didn't have anybody, like myself to look up to. So it was kind of like my own dirty little secret. I didn't, you know, I felt something was wrong with me, I didn't know that it was like, okay to be this way. I just, I was lost in my own head. But had I had someone to kind of look up to or even just say, not necessarily look up to you, but just say, hey, this person exists, they're like me and see what they're going through. If I had that, I might not have questioned so many things for so long. I might have, you know, made some changes a lot sooner in life, I would have had that confidence to know that it's okay. So, representation matters, whether it be, you know, seeing a powerful female figure in a leadership position, being seeing a person of colour, doing something, you know, that you yourself are striving to do, or just be out there in a successful position, be it someone in the LGBT plus community, whatever it is, you want to see yourself reflected in a positive way. Because then you know, it's okay to exist, it's okay to be yourself. You know, even if you don't know that person, that you have people out there, you don't feel so alone.
The Acclaimed have arrived The Acclaimed's Anthony Bowens says that AEW has created an environment that he never dreamed could have been possible.
--
Anthony Bowens of the Acclaimed. Photo: All Elite Wrestling/ Warner Media Africa There was a time where I didn't think I'd be able to do this, there was a time where I didn't think I'd be able to exist as successfully as an out gay professional wrestler, and to be able to have a outlet to do that, to live my dream.
And to also, you know, be excited to come to work without worry of judgement, or any kind of negativity in regards to my sexuality is huge. And it's a relief. It's also a big part of, you know, me coming here because when I when I first before I was signed, I came here as an extra that restaurant dark during the pandemic. One of the things that I saw was the, you know, the our LGBT athletes like Sonny kiss, and Ella rose just walking around being themselves without a care in the world. And, you know, that really stuck out to me as someplace that I would love to work.
ALSO READ: The best AEW matches so far
Sonny Kiss makes a difference in AEW Sonny Kiss appears on AEW Dark. Photo: All Elite Wrestling / Warner Media Africa. Sonny Kiss is another performer breaking new ground in AEW, and feels that LGBTQI people within the company are being allowed to be open about who they are without making their identity a gimmick.
I think it just happens over time. I feel like people are used to the Adrian Street and people like that, who kind of have, we're just characters. So I feel like over time, they have to continue to keep getting to know that no, not all LGBTQ people are like this, or like that, there's no one way. So I feel, once the fans continue to get to know, Sonny Kiss as a gender fluid, trans feminine person, I feel like it'll just become a lot easier. And I was like, okay, like, that's who he is. But I think it's impossible, you know, for everyone to kind of get it immediately also, too, because the pronouns and things like that are all very mutable. So it's just has to happen over time.
You can catch AEW programming on TNT Africa (DStv Channel 137) with new episodes of Rampage and Dynamite airing on Saturdays and Sundays respectively from 10:00 (CAT). Episodes are also available on DStv catchup for subscribers.
If you know your rugby, you could win R1 000 in cash! ENTER NOW & WIN
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
12/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents its advanced solutions for power electronics testing at...
12/05/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, has developed a modified fund raising p...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Tyrell Corporation, specialists in high-end live sports and entertainment broadcasts, was tasked with delivering compelling broadcast coverage of premier equest...
12/05/2026
Registration is now open for IBC2026 as the global media, entertainment and technology community prepares to converge on the RAI Amsterdam from 11 14 September ...
12/05/2026
Ross Video, a global leader in live video production technology, will present its latest innovations and integrated production workflows at BroadcastAsia 2026, ...
12/05/2026
500 selected leaders from around the world across start-ups, corporates, and venture capital. Over 50bn in assets under management among attending investors, a...
12/05/2026
CVP, one of Europe's leading suppliers of professional video and broadcast solutions, has appointed Randy Koeman as Sales Manager, Netherlands, marking anot...
12/05/2026
Taiwan Television has expanded its HD content ingest workflow capabilities by investing in the PlayBox Neo Suite - a leading multi-channel multi-server UHD/HD/S...
12/05/2026
Jigsaw24 is strengthening its media team with the appointment of Tom Laker as Client Director and Ashish Chauhan as Project Manager. These strategic hires bring...
12/05/2026
Broadcast playout leader showcases hybrid IP infrastructure and workflow automation with Videoland deployment as regional benchmark...
12/05/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its centralised approach to production workflows...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
12/05/2026
NUGEN Audio will debut Version 1.1 of DialogCheck, its intelligent dialog intelligibility and compliance tool, at the 2026 Media Production & Technology Show (S...
12/05/2026
The reactive visuals can adapt to any stage or screen setup and comprise 50 layers of Notch content
Today, Disguise announced that its high performance GX 3 m...
12/05/2026
Snapgrid , Snapbag & Airglow Expand Creative Control for the ARRI Modular LED BarFollowing the launch of the ARRI Omnibar, DoPchoice introduces a dedicated li...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
Macarena Garc a and Carlos Cuevas star in El Acercamiento de l...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils Documentary on Norway's 26-Year Journey to...
12/05/2026
Back to All News
The Netflix Effect
Ted Sarandos
co-CEO
Social Impact
12 May 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
Download all assets
Ten years ago, Ne...
12/05/2026
This is my news content...
12/05/2026
From finance and procurement to supply chain and manufacturing, specialized AI agents are moving into the enterprise systems where business decisions are made, ...
11/05/2026
New production unit features not only wealth of Ross gear but also Sony cameras, Canon lenses, and a Calrec Argo S audio board...
11/05/2026
Solid State Logic (SSL) has announced TCA Tour, a portable fly-away audio production system built from System T components for broadcast, touring, and live prod...
11/05/2026
Riedel Communications has announced it will serve as Official Connectivity Integ...
11/05/2026
Guntermann and Drunck (G&D) and NETGEAR AV have announced a plugin that automates network configuration for G&D KVM-over-IP deployments on NETGEAR AV Line infra...
11/05/2026
The Famous Group (TFG) and Elite Edge, a production studio specializing in live-action production, show opens, set design, and fabrication for sports and live e...
11/05/2026
The native of S o Paulo, Brazil, will play a crucial role in the broadcaster'...
11/05/2026
Cobalt Digital will exhibit its IPMX/ST 2110 product lineup at BroadcastAsia 2026 (Stand 5D2-4), anchored by the COBALT blueCORE family of standalone signal pro...
11/05/2026
Interra Systems will exhibit at BroadcastAsia 2026 (Stand 5C1-10), demonstrating...
11/05/2026
T-Mobile is serving as a technology partner for the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, deploying 5G connectivity and ...
11/05/2026
Vizrt has announced it has been named an Official Technical Supplier of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, in partnership with host broadcaster ORF. The 70th edi...
11/05/2026
The WNBA and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a multi-year partnership making AWS the Official Cloud and Cloud AI Partner of the WNBA. AWS is also joini...
11/05/2026
Austrian private broadcaster kronehit publicly awarded SLG Broadcast AG and Lawo...
11/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
11/05/2026
As Eurovision fans gear up to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic song ...
11/05/2026
Pela primeira vez na hist ria, o Brasil figura entre os oito maiores mercados de...
11/05/2026
New desktop instrument focused on tactile performance
Bastl Instruments have announced the Kalimba, a new desktop instrument that combines physical modellin...
11/05/2026
Compact sampling workstation gains new features
1010music have announced the blackbox 2, a new version of their compact standalone sampler designed for DAWl...
11/05/2026
Performance-focused sequencer with microtonal control
Berlin-based KOMA Elektronik have announced Monoplex, a new 42HP Eurorack sequencer designed for hands...
11/05/2026
Boasts wireless control from mobile devices
The latest iteration of IK Multimedia's compact amp and effects modelling pedal expands on the capabilities ...
11/05/2026
Spans traditional orchestral and experimental sounds
Sonora Cinematic have recently released the third instalment in their Transfigured Orchestra series, de...
All-inclusive AEW celebrates Pride month in styleAs a company All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has embraced the notion of making space for people from all walks of life.
