BY: Ashley Blackwell
Published 2 weeks ago
All hail the pride! TNT’s first-ever gay wrestling match had the ring shooting rainbows when it made history on July 26. Here’s what we know about the groundbreaking showdown.
If you haven’t heard, queer fighters Che Monet (who’s said to identify as gay) and Adam Bolt (rocking the bisexual flag) battled it out in British pro wrestling promotion TNT Extreme Wrestling’s annual ‘Summer Explosion’ event. Reportedly, the rivals bumped fists for the Ultra X championship, marking the company’s inaugural all-LBGTQIA+ title match. The monumental occurrence served as a major move for sexual minorities beyond the ropes as it became one of the most talked-about brawls of the year.
Per OutSports.com, “Bolt nearly had Monet vanquished multiple times, but Monet ultimately came out on top, hitting Bolt with a powerbomb to the ring apron before folding him up with a Slutdrop to successfully defend his title.”
Streamed live on TrillerTV+, the occasion took place at the Fusion Nightclub in Liverpool, England. It appears that all is fair in love and fighting. Following Monet’s defeat on Bolt, the two were seen flicking it up for the ‘gram. In the caption, Monet wrote, “A weekend with my wrestling soulmate.”
What TNT’s First-Ever Gay Wrestling Match Meant for the Rainbow Community
TNT Extreme Wrestling has been coloring its crayon throughout the wrestling world, leaving quite a mark behind for some time now. Due to its inclusion of queer individuals, LGBTQIA+ visibility in the arts only seems to have increased over the years. For this reason, the girls, gays, and theys are breaking new ground in spaces that once shunned them.
The combat technique has long been known for its masculinity-focused theme, with many of the participating men and women showcasing hardcore personas to entertain the crowd. During the rise of mainstream wrestling in the 1980s/90s, misogyny and homophobia were barriers — on and off the stage. However, as society continued to evolve, the presence of LGBTQIA+ people in the sport trended, making way for performers like Bolt and Monet to dominate the game. Over time, athletes on the spectrum noticed the growing phenomenon and gained the courage to be more open about how they choose to live their lives — in and out of the ring.
In a 2019 VICE.com article, writer Graham Isador spoke with professional wrestler EFFY (aka Taylor Gibson) about the field’s then-rising queer representation. “When I started out, I knew I was going to get heat from wrestling fans as a flamboyant gay character,” he shared. “What I didn’t expect was the changes I’d see in the audience as they watched me over time.”
EFFY continued: “There were groups of southern fans that started out despising me. Then, a few months later, they were buying shirts and begging to take pictures. That’s why transparency as a queer performer is so important to me personally. Queer wrestlers have the opportunity to present this over-the-top version of themselves, and not only can that change the opinions of the old guard wrestling fans, but it also lets the new generation showing up know that being queer shouldn’t get in the way of being the real you.”
In another conversation with fellow scrapper Charlie Morgan, Isador quoted Morgan: “It’s absolutely amazing to see how many LGBTQ wrestlers there are coming forward. They’re able to inspire other people. Whether that’s a fan, a trainee, or another wrestler themselves. I came out in the ring in 2017, and it was one of the proudest moments I’ve ever had. The decision to be out as a wrestler was a really long time coming… I always knew it was something I wanted to show off and represent, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it.”
According to reports, Bolt and Monet have both previously set prodigious records with TNT. Monet earned the title of the first out LGBTQIA+ TNT Extreme World Champion in 2023 and Extreme Ultra X victor of 2025. As for Bolt, he proudly flaunts his True Grit Wrestling Pride win and notoriety for being the first to boast numerous Pride-focused championships in the U.K. last year.
After undergoing ACL surgery, Monet shared in a 2021 chat with SM Media amid the COVID-19 pandemic, “I came back better than ever, with a new persona, and ready to show everybody I’m just as good a wrestler regardless of sexuality or character.”
It’s because of these diverse types of competitions that marginalized groups are now granted seats at tables that weren’t built for them. Whether at the top of someone’s corporate boardroom or as the headliner of a tussle-off, several are “doing it for the culture,” and we’re here for it!
What are your thoughts on TNT’s first-ever gay wrestling match? Let us know in the comments below!
