COMING OUT ON TOP
Attitude|May/June 2022
The first openly gay pro-wrestler to win a championship, AC Mack talks about his success, coming out and fighting against racism and homophobia
Alastair James
COMING OUT ON TOP

In January, AC Mack made history when he defeated Alex Shelley in the IWTV Independent Wrestling World Championship and became the first openly gay pro-wrestler to win a championship. As a result, there's a lot resting on his shoulders. However, it's a task he's more than ready for, as he tells us here.

How did it feel to become the first out pro wrestler to win a championship?

It was overwhelming in the best way possible. It was great to be able to do that, but I was so worried about pleasing everybody and making sure everything was up to par. I just wanted to represent not only the gay community but African-Americans and southerners as a whole. I was freaking out. I was making history. You can't take that away. When I won the Scenic City tournament, in August 2021, I grabbed the mic and said, "This is my time now. I don't know what else I need to do to prove to you that I'm the number-one contender and I should be having that title shot." It took a minute, but I like that it was a long journey.

You called your new belt Iris. Where do you keep it?

I name all my championship belts. I try to stick with the first letter of the promotion name. It's the IWTV, so I chose Iris. [Picks Iris up.] I keep her with me at all times. I have a little case for her when I'm not using her. But whenever I go out to a show, whether I'm on the show or not, I have her in the car - just in case!

When did you first get interested in wrestling?

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