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Oklahoma regulator warns AEW after transgender pro wrestler's match: Nyla Rose responds

Posted: Apr 18th 2024 By: Dale Denwalt

In January, the state agency that regulates combative sports in Oklahoma warned one of the nation's top professional wrestling companies about letting a transgender female perform in the ring with another woman.

The warning came after All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Nyla Rose appeared in a match at the Paycom Center in December. Rose, who signed with AEW in 2019, is the first openly transgender wrestler signed with a major pro wrestling company.

Florida-based AEW is the country's second-biggest promotion behind WWE.

At the Dec. 20 event at the Paycom Center, which was broadcast under the AEW subsidiary Ring of Honor promotion, Rose appeared in a match with Alejandra Lion. A few weeks later, the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission issued a formal warning to AEW.

The Athletic Commission unanimously voted to "warn AEW not to do this again or there will be punitive action made against them if they do." The news was first reported by Real Rasslin'.

When the news broke this week, other AEW performers and locally based pro wrestlers spoke out, criticizing the Athletic Commission. Rose posted her own satirical comment saying she'll "find the dastardly Transgender that *checks notes* entertained fans."

In a call with reporters on Thursday, AEW President Tony Khan said he was shocked and disappointed.

"I don't think there should be discrimination against transgender wrestlers or transgender people at all," Khan said. "They have rights, and to that end, I absolutely stand by Nyla Rose."

Khan said Rose is an important part of AEW and has contributed significantly both to the community and to her fellow wrestlers.

Oklahoma's history of issues with transgender athletes

The warning is the latest effort by Oklahoma's government to regulate transgender participation in sporting events. Oklahoma's political leaders have waged a campaign to "save women's sports" by requiring anyone competing in school-based women's sports to be born a female.

The Athletic Commission turned its sights on AEW because when Nyla Rose filled out her wrestling license application, she listed her gender as female.

According to longstanding commission rules, a match between a man and woman will not be sanctioned, regardless of whether it's professional boxing, mixed-martial arts or even professional wrestling. Unlike other combative sports, the outcome of pro wrestling matches are planned in advance, and the combat is choreographed and often practiced before the show.

Independent wrestling promoter Brandan Bulmer, who runs shows in Oklahoma City with Unified Wrestling Oklahoma, said it shouldn't matter whether men and women wrestle each other.

"It's kind of crazy that it's come to this, and it's just so really ridiculous," said Bulmer, who is known by his stage name Drake Gallows. "This was not an issue five years ago. We would do things called mixed tag team matches, where it would be any gender versus any gender. But now, you know, things are all starting to blur."

Ruling affects local promotions, wrestlers

Bulmer said that while he supports the Athletic Commission and its mission of ensuring the health and safety of performers, his main issue is the inconsistent application of rules during an event. Several months before the AEW show where Rose performed, Bulmer scheduled a female wrestler to participate in a battle royale match.

"I had the young lady come in the ring and she absolutely destroyed five guys. She beat the snot out them. She threw them all out of the ring and it was down to her and one other guy," he said.

The other guy eliminated her with a kick that knocked her out of the ring.

"After that event, I was given a warning and I was threatened with a court date, and I was threatened with $1,000 fine. And every single one of those people, those five people were given suspensions," Bulmer said.

The Athletic Commission's stance on transgender wrestlers is causing anxiety among performers, including two trans individuals being trained by Bulmer who are undergoing hormone therapy.

"I had one of them ask me, 'Where do you see me on the card? Where do I fall in?'" Bulmer said. "I can't give them a straight answer because I don't know what's going to happen with all this nonsense."

Bulmer said Oklahoma currently has just seven or eight licensed female pro wrestlers. With such a low number, they've grown tired of only wrestling each other. It's also hard for promoters to schedule more than just two at the same time, he said.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles

06-16

Leslie Lorenzo Jun 16th Today!
Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
Ray Martinez Jun 17th
Mario Galento Jun 17th
Rob Justice Jun 17th
Talos Jun 17th
Bad Boy Jun 18th
Andy Dalton Jun 18th
Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
Cam the CODA Jun 18th
Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
Johnny Angel Jun 18th
Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
Billy the Kid Jun 19th
Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
Mike Two Jun 19th
David Kyzer Jun 20th
Jon Cross Jun 20th
Professor Ito Jun 20th
Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
Phantom Star Jun 21st
Super Star Jun 21st
Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
Rick Russo Jun 21st
Athena Jun 23rd
Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
Don Kent Jun 24th
X-Storms Jun 25th
Kody Lane Jun 25th
Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
Jax Samuel Jun 26th
Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
Reckless Jun 27th
Kuda Jun 27th
Jason Kirby Jun 27th
Ignition Jun 27th
Claire Jun 28th
Bill Dromo Jun 28th
Kenny Mack Jun 28th
Doc Hearon Jun 28th
John Tidwell Jun 28th
J. J. Blake Jun 28th
Malico Jun 28th
Boris Malenko Jun 28th
Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
Barbara Galento Jun 29th
Voltio Santiago Jun 29th

1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title

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