WWE’s first transgender star Gabbi Tuft calls out Vince McMahon as she reveals she was ‘blocked’ from going backstage at Smackdown at Madison Square Garden

WWE’s first transgender star Gabbi Tuft revealed she was “blocked” from going backstage at Smackdown at Madison Square Garden — while throwing shade at Vince McMahon.

San Francisco native Tuft, 44, transitioned openly two years ago after her years of professional wrestling as dreadlocked gladiator Tyler Reks.

Despite her stellar career, she was not given backstage tickets to the event on July 7.

She gave in to the New York times at the New York City event that she “didn’t realize” she would miss WWE as much as she would. This was her first time attending a wrestling match since her retirement ten years ago.

Tuft, who now lives in Austin, Texas, said, “Actually, I really miss it.

I didn’t know I would.’

Gabbi Tuft, before (left) and after (right) her transition from male to female

The trans ex-WWE star found out she wouldn’t be able to go backstage to wish her former colleagues and friends well just before she left for NYC.

A WWE representative told NYTimes the problem was caused by a “shortage of tickets,” but there would still be no exception to go backstage.

Speaking of Vince McMahon, the former CEO and current executive chairman of WWE, Tuft said after finding out she was denied access, “You never know with Vince.”

Vince McMahon, the Executive Chairman of WWE

On her way to the event, the trans ex-combatant said people barely recognized her, meaning she was “old news.” But she also met fans who said they loved her TikToks.

She posted on social media during the event, writing, ’11 years since I’ve been in an arena.

“Great to feel the energy of the audience and see old friends who have come this far.”

Tuft now has 124,000 followers on Instagram and shares her journey and her fitness and lifestyle tips with her fans.

At the event, she also admitted that when she was younger, she used to dress up in her mother’s clothes when left alone.

But it wasn’t until the pandemic that she had time to fully think about her identity – which is why she started dressing up.

Her true self, “Gabbi,” was “screaming to be let out,” she told NYTimes.

The fitness guru – who wrestled under the ring name Tyler Reks – shared the news of her transition via a press release in 2021, calling Gabbi’s journey an “exciting story of gender transition”

WWE dreadlocked gladiator Tyler Reks, before switching in 2021

In 2021, she made headlines with her transition from male to female.

The fitness guru — who wrestled under the ring name Tyler Reks — shared the news via a press release, calling Gabbi’s journey an “exciting story of gender transition.”

“Gabbi is about to share her thrilling story of the gender transition from a former WWE superstar, bodybuilder, fitness guru, motivational speaker and motorcycle racer to a fun-loving and amazing woman,” the release read.

“She’s finally released and ready to rule her world.”

The release went on to say, “Despite his successes during and after his WWE career, Gabe still struggled with a secret personality that lived deep within him. This is a persona he has hidden in the loud silence of his soul since childhood .

Finally, with the blessing of his loving wife Priscilla, Gabe is ready to reveal who he really is. “He” is now known as “She”: a beautiful, wise, witty and wonderful woman named “Gabbi.”

“This is a story not to be missed by wrestling and other sports fans, friends and followers, especially many in the LGBTQ community dealing with challenging transgender issues, which Gabbi and (wife) Priscilla are willing to help.”

Tuft’s professional wrestling career spanned from 2008 to 2012, with appearances on Smackdown, Raw, and Wrestlemania.

After retiring, she co-founded a fitness company with wife Priscilla called Body Spartan, which focuses on “positively transforming the body, mind and soul of men and women through targeted video workouts, nutrition programs and motivational sessions.”