All Elite Wrestling (AEW) recently found itself in hot water with the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission (OSAC) due to a violation involving transgender athlete Nyla Rose. During a December 20, 2023 event in Oklahoma—AEW’s debut in the state—Rose competed against Alejandra Lion. The OSAC later issued a warning to AEW, as their meeting minutes revealed that Rose was misgendered while discussing her participation. This event stoked tensions as it touched on Oklahoma’s 2021 law that prohibits transgender athletes from competing against cisgender athletes in sports, even in scripted events like professional wrestling.
The commission decided to issue only a warning this time but hinted at possible stricter actions in the future. It’s noted that the decision to reprimand AEW came after a similar situation with another wrestling promotion, suggesting a need for consistent regulatory enforcement.
Nyla Rose, known for her advocacy within the AEW Women’s locker room and pushing for more women’s titles in the promotion, responded to the situation with humor. Despite the controversy, she retains strong support from her colleagues, who often stand up against bigotry from certain segments of the fanbase.
Wrestling Inc. reports that AEW doesn’t have any upcoming events scheduled in Oklahoma as of now.
Dispelling Myths about AEW
There are numerous misconceptions swirling around AEW, driven by persistent narratives and sometimes outright misinformation.
Executive Favoritism: It’s a common belief that executives like the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega only promote their friends and themselves. However, these executives have actually helped elevate other talents such as “Hangman” Adam Page and the Lucha Bros, showing that the reality is more complex and communal than critics claim.
Flawed Ranking System: AEW promotes its ranking system as a sports-like feature that tracks win-loss records for title shots. Yet, these rankings often give way to storyline needs or debuting talents, which can undermine their perceived legitimacy.
Underdeveloped Women’s Division: Compared to WWE, AEW’s women’s division often receives criticism for being less robust. However, with nearly 30 female wrestlers, including seasoned professionals and rising stars, AEW is actively working to enhance its women’s wrestling offerings.
AEW Dark Misconceptions: Some believe AEW Dark, a YouTube show, serves only to offload less prominent wrestlers. In reality, it garners substantial viewership and serves as an important platform for introducing new and international fans to AEW’s style and talent.
Choreographed Style: While AEW does feature a modern, choreographed wrestling style, it also showcases a variety of approaches, including technical wrestling and hard-hitting action, catering to diverse fan preferences.
Viewer Ratings and Popularity: Concerns about AEW Dynamite’s viewer ratings not exceeding one million consistently are often voiced. However, for a new entity in the wrestling world, AEW performs remarkably well, often outperforming many mainstream primetime shows.
Hiring WWE Alumni: The presence of former WWE talent in AEW is sometimes seen negatively. Yet, many of these performers chose AEW for new opportunities, not because they were rejected by WWE.
Internal Relations: Like any company, AEW experiences internal dynamics where not everyone gets along perfectly. High-profile disputes, such as those involving CM Punk and Adam Page, highlight that behind-the-scenes, AEW has its fair share of tensions.
By addressing these myths and misconceptions, it’s clear that AEW is more than just another wrestling promotion—it’s a complex organization striving to innovate and excite in the world of professional wrestling.
