Oklahoma State Athletic Commission Considering Rule Change on Transgender Wrestlers

The Oklahoma State Athletic Commission is reportedly contemplating a change to its rules regarding transgender wrestlers, according to documents obtained by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics through a public records request.

The documents reveal a January email exchange between Commission Administrator Jim Miller and AEW SVP Chris Harrington. Miller informed Harrington that the participation of wrestler Rose at AEW/ROH tapings in December 2023 stirred controversy as it violated the commission’s rule against sanctioning matches “between males and females.”

The rule defines a male participant as someone “of the heterogametic sex born with XY chromosomes” and a female participant as “a person of the homogametic sex with XX chromosomes.”

Miller indicated in the email exchange that the commission is considering changing this rule. However, any change would need to go through the legislative process for rule-making and wouldn’t take effect until July 2024 at the earliest. A commission meeting is scheduled for July 10.

“Ms. Fletcher does not wish to comment at this time on the ongoing matters related to the December 2023 AEW event or the specific rules pertaining to intergender exhibitions or matches. Any actions taken to rules under the jurisdiction of the Commission must be done consistently with timeline and actions prescribed by the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act and the Oklahoma Office of Administrative Rules Regulations on Rulemaking. An agenda for the July 10, 2024 public meeting will be made available to the public consistent with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, which will prescribe the items of business to be discussed/considered by the Commission during that meeting.”

Miller retired from his position in March, with Diana Fletcher taking over as Commission Administrator. Fletcher declined to comment on the ongoing matters related to the December 2023 AEW event or the specific rules regarding intergender exhibitions or matches.

Rose, who was not part of the February tapings in Oklahoma, responded to the commission’s warning with humor and has since launched a t-shirt with proceeds benefiting 2SLGBTQ+ Advocacy Group Freedom Oklahoma.

As of now, AEW has no upcoming events scheduled in Oklahoma.