Anthony Bowens and Michael Pavano: The Power of Being Yourself

Anthony Bowens is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling. He started training in 2012 and made his professional wrestling debut in 2013. In November 2016, he suffered a concussion during a match on the television show "WWE NXT". In November 2020, Tony Khan (President, All Elite Wrestling) announced that Bowens, alongside Max Caster, had been signed to a five-year contract with the promotion. The announcement also stated that Bowens and Caster would compete as a tag team named The Acclaimed.

All Elite Wrestling, commonly shortened to AEW, is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. It is considered the second largest wrestling promotion in the United States, behind WWE.

Since October 2, 2019, AEW has produced a two-hour weekly television show, "AEW Dynamite", airing live on TBS in the United States. The show originally aired on TBS' sister channel TNT, from October 2019 to December 2021. It also airs another weekly television program on TNT, "AEW Rampage", since August 10, 2021, along with two YouTube exclusive shows: "AEW Dark" and "AEW Dark: Elevation". CBS Sports described AEW as "the first company with major financial backing to take a swing at beginning to compete with WWE on a major level in nearly two decades".

Bowens' is in a relationship with Michael Pavano, who is a nationally certified personal trainer, actor, and social media influencer.

On June 26, 2017, Broadway Sings for Pride premiered its 7th anniversary benefit concert "Unstoppable" in New York City, at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. This milestone event was filled with singing (from pop to Broadway), stories, special celebrity guests, and more. Proceeds of the event were donated to Tyler Clementi Foundation and Orlando's Contigo Fund. Broadway Sings for Pride is a multiple award-winning, non-for-profit organization that brings together Broadway talent, activists, and celebrities, to educate the public, raise awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and support these young people.

Bowens and Pavano addressed the audience with an inspirational speech during the benefit concert, where Shefik served as Videographer, as well as a featured Speaker. In 2017, with the aid of OutSports.com and The Huffington Post, Bowens and Pavano shared their personal journey of acceptance — a decision that has been met with positive attention. It all started on September 19, 2016, with an initial video titled "Try Not to Laugh Challenge", which was released on their YouTube channel, and viewed by around a quarter of a million people worldwide.

Credits

Videographer: Shefik