On December 23 of the previous year, AEW’s Nyla Rose competed in Oklahoma City, defeating Alejandra Lion during a Ring of Honor taping.
However, the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission (OSAC), responsible for overseeing wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts in the state, asserted that Rose and the company breached a regulation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing against cisgender individuals, even in scripted exhibitions like professional wrestling.
Minutes from the commission’s January meeting, shared online on April 17, revealed that Rose was repeatedly misgendered in the report.
The document detailed how OSAC administrator Jim Miller was informed by a local independent promotion about Rose’s participation in the AEW event in Oklahoma City.
Subsequently, Miller notified AEW of the violation, leading the OSAC to unanimously issue a warning to AEW regarding potential punitive action if Rose or any other transgender wrestlers compete against cisgender opponents in future AEW or ROH shows.
OSAC chairman Mike Bower proposed updating the state’s pro wrestling license application to include a question about gender reassignment surgery, akin to those for boxing, kickboxing, and MMA.
Critics argue that the controversy is more about political posturing and fear-mongering than genuine concern for Lion or other wrestlers.
While acknowledging the importance of discussing issues related to trans athletes, they emphasize that such athletes represent a small portion of an already marginalized population.
They assert that broader issues concerning transgender rights should take precedence, rather than focusing on banning participation in athletics by a group often misunderstood.
They advocate for building understanding and relationships with transgender individuals rather than perpetuating divisiveness and discrimination.