Oklahoma commissioners have ruled that AEW broke Oklahoma State Athletic Commission’s rules by having Nyla Rose wrestle Alejandra The Lion.
The match took place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City last December.
“The Commission will not approve sanctioning permits between human participants and non-humans or between males and females. A male participant is a person of the heterogametic sex born with XY chromosomes. A female participant is a person born of the homogametic sex with XX chromosomes,” states the OSAC rules.
Essentially, Oklahoma law bans transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams.
In their ruling the commissioners said that AEW was warned that “there will be punitive action” against them if they hold this kind of match ever again in Oklahoma.
The commission was alerted by a “local wrestling organization that had previously done the same thing” and that promotion knew they were in violation of the rules and would refrain from breaking them in future.
In their report the commissioners state they had no idea there was an issue with the match because “the wrestler filled his wrestling license application as female”.
It is unclear of commission itself understands that pro-wrestling is scripted entertainment.
Nyla Rose herself reacted to the news with several posts on X, many of which were humorous:
WHO THE FUCK WAS IT?!!
Don’t worry Oklahoma I’ll find the dastardly Transgender that *checks notes* entertained fans!!! HOW DARE THEY MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY?!!! https://t.co/O4ftfW48UI— 🪓NYLA “the rizz” ROSE (THE REAL ONE) 🥀 (@NylaRoseBeast) April 17, 2024
Hey… ummmm i’m busy at work right now, but I just wanted to let you all know I see the love, and I feel the love and I appreciate all of you… except of course serpentico. #AEWDynamite is on right now. Please watch it.🫶🏽
— 🪓NYLA “the rizz” ROSE (THE REAL ONE) 🥀 (@NylaRoseBeast) April 18, 2024
DAMNIT OKLAHOMA!!! You made me a babyface now!!!! 😑😑😑 I wanna do evil things with my evil friends but now I can’t 😤 pic.twitter.com/0ZyHJ64pEg
— 🪓NYLA “the rizz” ROSE (THE REAL ONE) 🥀 (@NylaRoseBeast) April 17, 2024
A video game and comic book fan, Nyla also posted a picture of an FoH leader from the X-Men animated series and comics. The FoH (Friends of Humanity) are an anti-mutant hate group.
Oklahoma athletics commissioner
2024
Colorized pic.twitter.com/db9HvFRP3h— 🪓NYLA “the rizz” ROSE (THE REAL ONE) 🥀 (@NylaRoseBeast) April 18, 2024
Anthony Bowens had this angry response to the ruling:
Hey Dr. Larry Lovelace and crew, I motion for you all to go fuck yourselves https://t.co/ZIcBORQNYQ
— Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) April 17, 2024
Some fans are also expressing their anger over the situation:
Exactly this! Hope that companies choose to not run shows in OK anymore too.
— Amanda Purcell (@MandatoryHavoc) April 18, 2024
please don't think everyone who lives here is a bigot, transphobic and trash like this. we're not. I'M not. and this hurts my soul to think that someone did this in reference to performers I love. I'm a cis-girl & fly my pride & ally flags high. I'm so sorry. 😔😢
— Candace Riley (she/her)🏳️🌈 📸 (@SoonerPenguin) April 17, 2024
We all aren't bigoted assholes in Oklahoma. I'm ashamed of my state.
— Dustin Moore (@Texass_Sucks) April 17, 2024
I stand with Nyla Rose. I stand with any trans wrestler’s ability to compete in wrestling free of hatred and discrimination.
— Brian Bomb (@BrianBomb) April 17, 2024
By the way, Nyla Rose has been killing it on ROH, and you should absolutely watch if you love her.
The Queen of Twitter has been showing up and showing out with her comedy, personality, skill, and badass presence and it's one of my favorite parts of #WATCHROH on Thursdays. ♥️🔥 pic.twitter.com/YgQjgiPPMk
— 🔥Amy Nemmity🔥 (@AmyNemmity) April 17, 2024
And if you’re @TonyKhan, this is an opportunity. THIS is a fight you should be picking. First and foremost, STAND UP for Nyla Rose, and let your fans know you won’t adhere to this. Secondly, work the legislators to get this reversed so Indy promotions don’t need to worry.… https://t.co/lm1h8hwhH7
— AEW Women’s Division Blog (@AEW_ONE) April 17, 2024
Important info for those who want to stand with Nyla Rose and against discrimination of trans people in wrestling.
Sending Nyla our love and support. 🏳️⚧️ ❤️ https://t.co/qas0vwwcvb
— LGBTQ+ Pro Wrestling Community (LPWC+) (@LPWCplus) April 17, 2024