Professional wrestler Aaron Rourke has made history by becoming the first openly gay singles champion in WWE history. Performing under the nickname “Evil Gay,” the American athlete won the title on March 18 after defeating Jackson Drake at the WWE Evolve Championships.

Following his victory, Rourke shared a personal message on social media reflecting on his journey. He described the road to success as long and challenging at times, encouraging perseverance and self-belief. He thanked fans and supporters for their continued encouragement, calling the championship win “just the beginning.”

The achievement sparked enthusiastic reactions online, with fans praising both his in-ring talent and his visibility as an openly gay athlete in professional wrestling, a field long perceived as lacking inclusivity.

On Instagram, Rourke declared it was “his time to shine,” prompting supporters to congratulate him and describe the moment as an important milestone for future generations of wrestlers.