All Elite Wrestling is gearing up for one of its biggest shows of the year happening Wednesday night in New York City. 

News 12’s Dan Serafin sat down with one of the stars and a tri-state native about his long journey here.  

Anthony Bowens grew up in New Jersey, playing Division 1 baseball at Seton Hall University, when a YouTube video of Bowens backyard wrestling opened up a new path.  

“The feedback I got was ‘you kind of look like a pro wrestler already, you should probably think about this’,” says Bowens. “That was when the seed was first planted that this was something I should pursue.” 

Bowens started on the independent circuit in 2012, but as a gay man, he was unsure how fans and fellow wrestlers would react.  

“I came out in 2016 and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” said Bowens. “It made my relationships with people better, my friendships better. I didn’t have to hide anymore.” 

That road was still filled with his own internal struggle, but now Bowens is hoping that his journey to the top of AEW’s elite can inspire others.  

Wednesday night could have Bowens adding champion to his resume, as he prepares to compete for the tag team championship at Arthur Ashe Stadium.