Wrestling stars Chris Jericho and Nyla Rose. (Instagram/chrisjerichofozzy)
Wrestling star Chris Jericho had Nyla Rose – the first trans wrestler to be signed to a major league – on his show, and now he’s a massive trans ally.
And we love to see it.
Nyla Rose made history when she was signed by All Elite Wrestling – a new professional wrestling company funded by billionaire Shahid Khan – in February 2019.
She was the first transgender wrestler to be signed by a major league, and now she’s bringing awareness of the fight for trans equality to spaces and people who might previously have been in the dark.
Jericho is a Canadian wrestler, also signed to All Elite Wrestling. He’s a legend in professional wrestling who’s been WWE champion seven times, won six World Titles and toured the US with his heavy-metal band, Fozzy.
And now, he’s a massive trans ally.
Jericho had Rose on his show, ‘Talk Is Jericho’, on 21 February, when the pair discussed her journey as both a wrestler and a trans woman in the sport. Rose opened up about internet trolls, her relationship with family and friends after coming out as trans, and why she takes being a role model so seriously.
Posting a picture of them together on his Instagram page yesterday, Jericho said: “This is one of my favourite episodes of #TIJ ever, as I learned a lot about things I had no idea about. Thanks for the education Nyla!”
And it was then that the anti-trans trolls weighed in.
“Why do you keep saying Her?” someone commented, immediately sparking a toxic row about the validity of trans women.
“Her. HER!” Jericho immediately replied. When quizzed by another commenter about whether Rose is a “true female” from a “biological stand point”, Chris Jericho let them have it.
“Go study the transgender process and get back to me, junior,” he wrote, a slam dunk in a new arena for a wrestling star accustomed to beating his opponents.
Nyla Rose turned Chris Jericho into an outspoken trans ally in less than an hour wow her power pic.twitter.com/5vnTGXBIOW
— DJ ACCIDENT REPORT (@eric_shorey) February 26, 2020
Online, Jericho’s strong stance in support of Rose and the trans community delighted his fans.
i always get really excited to find out about very large men who support trans rights. the more brick shithouses we got on our side the safer im gonna feel
— It’s Zaya (soon to be truck lesbian) 👉😎👉 (@glttrprncs) February 26, 2020
The “her. HER!” comment is warming all the cockles of my heart.
— 💪All Elite Lindsay (21 days) 💪 (@LindsayRaeGun) February 26, 2020
le champion said trans rights
— William (@WilliamZeman) February 27, 2020
While Jericho doesn’t have an uncontroversial past when it comes to trans issues – he was criticised for having Donald Trump Junior, who opposed trans women competing in sports, on his show last year – it seems clear that he’s on side for the future.
And what an ally for the trans community to have.
Anyone who disagrees now, gets a Liontamer, as pictured, a higher angle version of the Walls of Jericho move, sometimes while putting a knee on the head of the opponent. pic.twitter.com/aN7xzBMdvK
— 🖤 Katrina 🖤 / Ily Alex (@Catgurrrl1) February 27, 2020