Members of the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission met on Tuesday with the subject of intergender professional wrestling on the agenda.
Earlier this year, the commission issued a warning to AEW (“All Elite Wrestling”) after Nyla Rose, a transgender woman, wrestled against Alejandra Lion in the state last December.
The commission does not allow for intergender matches “between males and females” with the traditional definitions of males and females being observed by the state. It was stated that allowing intergender wrestling would violate a recent law instituted where athletes must play on a team that corresponds with their biological sex.
AEW was not fined over the issue but was issued a warning. Rose did not wrestle on a February 21 show in Tulsa.
A ban on intergender wrestling is up for debate.
Why some wrestlers are pushing for the rules to change, and the steps the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission is taking to potentially repeal the restrictions: https://t.co/gf1oMM38Lx@OKCFOX @wsuares @LoganKnightPro pic.twitter.com/uVedMmkQ5M
— David Chasanov (@DavidChasanov) July 11, 2024
On Tuesday, the commission had the topic listed with multiple performers in attendance to participate in the public comment section of the meeting including wrestler Logan Knight, who recorded the meeting and posted the videos. The meeting included chairman Mike Bower and commissioners Wes Nofire, Rick Garrett, Jason Pitts, and Michael Stopp.
Commissioner Michael Stopp argued that the commission was risking turning this topic into a political one and felt this was a matter for the legislature to rule on and not for the commission to decide. The discussion included other members of the commission including fellow commissioner Rick Garrett, who was identified as a former pro wrestler himself, and was noted he did wrestle females during his career.
From Garrett’s bio on the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission’s site
His professional wrestling career, starting in 1983, saw him rubbing shoulders with legends like the Von Erichs, the Missing Link and Jake the Snake. Rick was known for his drop kicks and barefoot wrestling.
During the public comment period, arguments were made by wrestlers including Logan Knight, Lucian Loveless, and Brandon Groom among others. The core arguments included pro wrestling being scripted entertainment where matches are laid out and don’t approximate the level of danger present in a traditional combat sport. It was argued that not allowing intergender wrestling also limited roles for females on wrestling shows and forced women to go to other states to wrestle all the while, female wrestlers are training with male wrestlers in gyms.
AEW doesn’t have any upcoming shows announced in Oklahoma and has not run in the state since February. WWE just held a SmackDown taping at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Logan Knight will be a guest on Pollock & Thurston on Wednesday to discuss the meeting and share his reaction.
