Transgender retired professional wrestler Gabbi Tuft’s latest social media tease about a return to the squared circle saw her enter a venue where All Elite Wrestling was holding a show.
Tuft is seen with two others, identified by social media comments as her brother and ex-wife, walking past an 18-wheeler with AEW’s logo on it, as well as the faces of several of the company’s wrestlers, including Adam Cole and Britt. Baker.
The video of the trio walking into the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas, was posted on social media by Tuft himself. AEW’s weekly flagship show, “Dynamite,” was held Wednesday night in the Austin area.
WWE superstar Natalya responded to the video of Tuft entering the arena, who Tuft has been training with in the ring in recent weeks.
Former WWE superstar Paige, who is now on the AEW roster under her given name Saraya, also commented on the post, posting photos with Tuft backstage at “Dynamite.”
Tuft performed as Tyler Reks for four years before being released by the WWE in 2012
Tuft’s latest tease on social media shows a possible destination of AEW instead of WWE
Tuft, known as Tyler Reks during her first four-year run with WWE, was fired from the company in 2012 and retired from competing in 2014.
Three years after coming out as a transgender woman in February 2021, Tuft, 45, publicly expressed her desire to return to the ring on social media.
Tuft has lost about 50 pounds since performing as Reks by changing her diet and fitness routine. Reks was billed at 6 feet 1 inch and around 250 pounds for her entire WWE run.
AEW is the second largest American professional wrestling company behind WWE, with a national television deal with TBS and TNT. AEW’s roster includes former WWE World Champions such as Bryan Danielson and Adam ‘Edge’ Copeland.
All Elite Wrestling is positioned as the second largest American professional wrestling company
Tuft has not wrestled in an official capacity since 2014, but has expressed a desire to return
After posting clips of her time with WWE on social media and training with Natalya and other current WWE superstars, a return to the ring for Tuft seemed to coincide with a reunion with the company that brought her the most attention.
Now, after a visible presence at an AEW event, that couldn’t be the case.
Tuft’s last official match took place at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event, where he teamed with former WWE wrestler Curt Hawkins against AEW’s Lance Hoyt and Kevin Matthews.
Tuft would follow in the footsteps of AEW’s Nyla Rose, who in 2019 became the first transgender wrestler to sign a full-time contract with an American promotion. Rose is a former AEW Women’s World Champion.