Wrestling dreams don’t get much bigger than stepping into the ring with your childhood hero. For Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed, that fantasy became reality in spectacular fashion during a memorable AEW Dynamite main event that left him fighting back tears.
The Icon’s AEW Arrival Sparked Magic for Rising Stars
Sting’s shocking 2020 debut sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. While fans celebrated the Icon’s return, younger talents like Bowens saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The man who inspired Bowens to lace up boots was now sharing the same locker room.
That opportunity materialized in 2022 when The Acclaimed faced Sting and Darby Allin in a Dynamite main event. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect – the match fell on Bowens’ ninth anniversary in professional wrestling.
Pressure Cooker Performance in Wrestling’s Biggest Spotlight
Speaking on the HypeTalkTV podcast, Bowens revealed the mental challenge of wrestling his idol while maintaining professional focus. The Acclaimed had main evented before, but this felt different – bigger, more meaningful.
“It’s hard to really process it in the moment, because I’m focused on, ‘Hey, I’ve got to deliver a really good main event on television.’ This was the first time The Acclaimed had been back in that kind of big spotlight.”
The pressure extended beyond typical match preparation. Bowens faced the unique challenge of working physically with someone he’d idolized for years. “We were really focused on trying to put on a good match and making sure that I didn’t beat him up too badly, because I don’t want to beat up my idol,” he admitted.
From Inspiration to Validation: Sting’s Belief in The Acclaimed
The match represented more than childhood dreams coming true. According to Bowens, Sting became one of The Acclaimed’s earliest believers during a crucial period in their AEW journey. That support from a legend provided validation when the team needed it most.
The emotional weight of the moment hit Bowens immediately after the match concluded. Professional composure gave way to raw emotion as he processed what had just happened.
Tears of Joy: An Emotional Encounter That Defined a Career
The aftermath proved just as memorable as the match itself. Bowens didn’t hold back when describing his post-match interaction with the Icon.
“Low key kind of cried in his face afterwards and he was very welcoming. It was an emotional day. When you get to wrestle your hero, the guy who brought you in and have him be so complimentary of our work was really cool.”
Sting’s gracious response to Bowens’ emotional reaction speaks to the veteran’s character and understanding of what such moments mean to younger wrestlers. The Icon’s complimentary words about The Acclaimed’s performance added another layer of significance to an already unforgettable night.
The Full-Circle Moment That Wrestling Dreams Are Made Of
For Bowens, the match represented the ultimate “full-circle moment” – from young fan watching Sting on television to sharing a main event spotlight with his wrestling hero. These career-defining encounters remind us why wrestling’s generational connections create such powerful storytelling opportunities.
As The Acclaimed continues climbing AEW’s tag team division, that emotional night with Sting remains a career highlight that validates every sacrifice made along the journey. What other dream matches do you think could create similar full-circle moments for today’s rising stars?
