Nyla Rose has sharply criticized the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, declaring it had no legitimate grounds for sanctioning All Elite Wrestling over a 2023 match and labeling the regulatory body “hateful bigots” during a recent interview.
The controversy stems from a Ring of Honor taping held in Oklahoma City on December 20, 2023, where Rose, who is transgender, competed against Alejandra Lion. Following the bout, Commission Administrator Jim Miller asserted that Rose’s participation violated regulations prohibiting transgender women from competing against cisgender women. The commission subsequently voted unanimously to issue a formal warning to AEW, threatening punitive measures for any future violations. According to records, Rose has not wrestled in the state since that date.
Speaking with Denise Salcedo, Rose did not mince words when asked about the commission’s ruling.
“Yeah, sure, we can well touch on that a little bit. So, basically, to be perfectly blunt, hateful bigots with no basis for anything,” Rose stated.
She elaborated on her view of the commission’s motives: “The athletic commission is a scam. They’re just a bunch of greedy people who have found an avenue to work people out of money, and they’re using new laws and loopholes to do what they want to do, basically.”
The commission has not publicly responded to Rose’s remarks. When Wrestlenomics inquired in May 2024 regarding potential rule changes, Miller had already resigned in March. His successor, Diana Fletcher, declined to comment on both the December 2023 incident and the regulations governing intergender matches through an assistant attorney general; the restrictions remain in effect.
Salcedo also asked Rose about AEW President Tony Khan’s public defense. Rose admitted she was taken aback by the immediacy of his support.
“I was a little shocked. I was very surprised, but incredibly grateful that he would, with zero hesitation, like there was no thought there,” Rose said. “He knew the right side of history to be on, and that’s where he stood, ten toes down. For someone of his caliber, in his position, to do that, he absolutely did not have to, and he did. That speaks a lot about who he is as a person and as a man. I’m so grateful to him for that.”
Khan addressed the situation during the AEW Dynasty media call in April 2024, expressing disappointment with the commission’s stance and maintaining that AEW had done nothing wrong. He affirmed his opposition to discrimination against transgender individuals, pledged full support for Rose, and expressed hope that the commission might eventually embrace her as the AEW locker room has.
Notably, Rose was absent when AEW held an event in Tulsa in February 2024, two months after the Oklahoma City taping.
Asked how she navigates such institutional pushback, Rose emphasized the power of community action and education.
“It’s one of those things. That’s where the strength of our community comes into play with protests and educating the public, educating people. Education can put out a lot of those fires, because a lot of people are reacting out of fear,” she explained.
Regarding those who remain unaccepting, Rose suggested that change must be internal rather than persuaded by external argument.
“The sad reality, the sad truth is I don’t know that there’s anything I can say, right? Like that change has to come from within, and a lot of people are so coldhearted. They’re just shut out,” she said. “Just getting to know somebody can do it. I have had so many people come to me privately, in DMs, at shows, and apologize, saying, ‘Hey, I was ignorant before. I didn’t like you because of this reason.’ But as they’ve gotten to know me over the years on television and social media, they realize that I’m just a person and realize I’m just an entertainer. I just want to do my job and go home and play video games and open Pokemon cards. The same thing they want to do, I want to do as well, I just walk a slightly different path.”
“Once that change comes from within, and they realize we’re the same footing, some of those people’s hearts do open.”
Rose has been a staple of AEW since the promotion’s inception in 2019 and made history as the first transgender wrestler to hold a world championship in a major American promotion, capturing the AEW Women’s World Title. She currently performs primarily for Ring of Honor.