Oklahoma State Athletic Commission considering a change.
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics obtained documents via a public records request showing that the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission is in discussion to possibly change the rule regarding transgender wrestlers.
The record shows a January email exchange between Commission Administrator Jim Miller and AEW SVP Chris Harrington where Miller informs Harrington that Rose's participation at the AEW/ROH tapings in December 2023 "caused quite a stir" as it violated the commission rule of not sanctioning matches “between males and females,” and that it defines a male participant as a person “of the heterogametic sex born with XY chromosomes” and a female participate as “a person of the homogametic sex with XX chromosomes.”
In the email exchange, Miller writes, “For your information the Commission is currently in discussion to possibly change this rule. However if it is determined by the Commission that the rule should be changed it will have to go thru [sic] the legislative process for rule-making and would not be in effect until July 2024.”
There is a commission meeting scheduled for July 10.
According to the report, Miller retired from his position in March. Diana Fletcher is now the Commission Administrator.
The following statement was given to Wrestlenomics when asked about the potential rule change:
“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.”
AEW was back in Oklahoma for a show in February, but Rose was not part of the tapings.
Rose had a sense of humor about the commission's warning and has since launched a t-shirt with proceeds going to 2SLGBTQ+ Advocacy Group Freedom Oklahoma.
AEW has no upcoming events scheduled to take place in Oklahoma.
Fans can read the full report, which also details independent promoter and wrestler dealings with the OSAC by clicking here
