Nyla Rose has criticized the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, calling them hateful bigots without valid grounds for issuing a warning to AEW following a match she participated in during 2023. Rose, a transgender wrestler, faced Alejandra Lion at a ROH event in Oklahoma City on December 20, 2023. Afterward, Jim Miller, the commission administrator, said Rose’s involvement breached their rules prohibiting transgender women from competing against cisgender women. The commission unanimously decided to warn AEW that future violations would lead to penalties. According to Cagematch records, Rose has not competed in Oklahoma since that event.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Rose was forthright when asked about the commission, labeling it as a “scam” run by greedy individuals exploiting laws and loopholes for their own benefit. The commission has yet to comment on her remarks. When Wrestlenomics contacted them in May 2024 regarding potential rule changes, Miller had resigned earlier in March, and his successor, Diana Fletcher, declined to comment via an assistant attorney general on both the incident and the rules governing intergender matches. These restrictions remain in effect.
When asked about Tony Khan’s public support, Rose expressed surprise and deep appreciation for his immediate defense. She praised Khan for standing firmly on the right side of history and demonstrating commendable character by backing her so openly. Khan, speaking at AEW Dynasty media call in April 2024, criticized the commission’s stance and affirmed that AEW had done nothing wrong. He emphasized his opposition to discrimination against transgender individuals, his full support of Rose, and his hope that if the AEW locker room can accept her, so too will the commission.
Rose was absent from AEW’s Tulsa event in February 2024, two months after the incident. Reflecting on overcoming such challenges, she highlighted the importance of community support and public education to combat fear-driven reactions. When asked what she would say to those who remain unaccepting, Rose admitted that true change must come from within and is not always prompted by direct confrontation. She shared that many people have privately apologized for previous ignorance after getting to know her as a person and entertainer who simply wants to do her job, enjoy hobbies, and live like anyone else.
Having been with AEW since its inception in 2019, Rose is a former AEW Women’s World Champion and the first transgender wrestler to hold a world title in a major American promotion. She now primarily competes for ROH.
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Fan Take: This story highlights ongoing challenges and progress around inclusivity in professional wrestling, reflecting broader societal debates about transgender rights. How organizations and commissions respond to these issues will shape the future of the sport, potentially making it a more welcoming and diverse space for all fighters and fans.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
