Nyla Rose Bio
Brandi Hicks Degroat, better known by the ring name Nyla Rose, is an American professional wrestler and actress. Born on August 3, 1982, in Washington, D.C., Rose has established herself as a groundbreaking figure in professional wrestling history. She is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she became the first openly transgender wrestler to win a world championship in a major United States wrestling promotion.
Rose made history when she joined AEW in 2019 as the first openly transgender wrestler to sign with a major American promotion. Her career spans multiple countries and wrestling promotions, and she has also ventured into acting and comic book writing. Outside the wrestling ring, Rose played the lead role in the 2016 Canadian comedy series The Switch.
Early Life and Background
Brandi Hicks Degroat was born on August 3, 1982, in Washington, D.C. She has African American and Native American ancestry, specifically from the Oneida nation. Rose developed an interest in professional wrestling at an early age, growing up watching wrestling matches with her grandmother. This early exposure planted the seeds for what would become her professional career.
During her college years, Rose began her transition as a transgender woman. This period of personal growth and self-discovery occurred alongside her decision to pursue professional wrestling. Her background and personal journey would later become an integral part of her identity as both a wrestler and a public figure representing the transgender community in sports entertainment.
Rose received her professional wrestling training at the KYDA Pro Training School in Morgantown, West Virginia. She was trained by several experienced instructors including John Kermon, Hype Rockwell, Christian York, and Jimmy Z. This formal training provided her with the foundation and skills necessary to compete at the highest levels of professional wrestling.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Nyla Rose made her professional wrestling debut at the age of 30 on December 8, 2012. Her entry into the world of professional wrestling came later than many of her peers, but her dedication and training allowed her to quickly establish herself on the independent circuit. Rose spent several years honing her craft and building her reputation in smaller promotions before reaching the national stage.
Prior to joining AEW, Rose wrestled extensively on the American independent circuit for promotions such as Women Superstars Uncensored. She also gained international experience by wrestling in Japan with notable promotions including Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling. This exposure to different wrestling styles and cultures helped shape her in-ring abilities and persona.
Rose’s performances on the independent circuit caught the attention of major wrestling promoters. Her combination of size, strength, and athleticism, along with her compelling backstory, made her an attractive prospect for emerging wrestling companies looking to diversify their rosters. This led to her signing with All Elite Wrestling in 2019.
Nyla Rose Career
Early Career (2012-2019)
Nyla Rose began her professional wrestling journey on the independent circuit following her training at KYDA Pro Training School. Her debut came at age 30, and she quickly established herself as a formidable competitor. Rose developed a reputation as a powerhouse wrestler with an intimidating presence in the ring. She competed for various independent promotions across the United States, building a fanbase and gaining valuable experience.
Rose expanded her horizons by wrestling internationally, particularly in Japan. Her appearances with Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling exposed her to different wrestling styles and helped her develop a more well-rounded in-ring approach. These experiences proved invaluable as she prepared for opportunities with larger promotions. Her work on the independent circuit laid the groundwork for her eventual signing with AEW.
All Elite Wrestling Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Nyla Rose signed with All Elite Wrestling in February 2019, making history as the first openly transgender wrestler to sign with a major American professional wrestling promotion. She made her AEW debut at the promotion’s inaugural event, Double or Nothing. Her scheduled triple threat match against Dr. Britt Baker and Kylie Rae became a fatal four-way match with the surprise addition of Awesome Kong. This match immediately established Rose as a significant player in AEW’s women’s division.
Rose continued to build momentum in her early AEW tenure. At Fyter Fest, she competed in a triple threat match against Riho and Yuka Sakazaki. After the match, Rose attacked both opponents, establishing herself as a heel character. This villainous turn added depth to her persona and created compelling storylines. Rose then won the AEW Women’s Casino Battle Royal at All Out, earning the right to compete for the inaugural AEW Women’s World Championship.
AEW Women’s World Championship Reign (2020)
On February 12, 2020, Nyla Rose defeated Riho to win the AEW Women’s World Championship on an episode of Dynamite. This victory made history as Rose became the first transgender woman to win a world championship in a major United States wrestling promotion. Her championship reign represented a significant milestone for LGBTQ representation in professional wrestling.
Rose successfully defended her title against Kris Statlander at Revolution in February 2020. Her championship run lasted until May 23, 2020, when she lost the title to Hikaru Shida at Double or Nothing. In July 2020, Rose introduced Vickie Guerrero as her manager, adding another layer to her character. Despite losing the championship, Rose remained a prominent figure in AEW’s women’s division.
Later AEW Career (2021-Present)
In February 2021, Nyla Rose participated in the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament. She advanced through the U.S. side of the bracket with victories over Tay Conti and Britt Baker. Rose defeated Thunder Rosa in the U.S. tournament finals before losing to Ryo Mizunami in the overall tournament finals on March 3, 2021. Throughout 2021, Rose continued to compete for the AEW Women’s World Championship and participated in the TBS Championship tournament.
Rose remained an active competitor in AEW throughout 2022 and beyond. She faced Thunder Rosa for the AEW Women’s World Championship at AEW Battle of the Belts II in April 2022. In December 2023, Rose faced Alejandra Lion on an episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling taped in Oklahoma City. This match sparked controversy when the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission censured AEW for violating their rules regarding intergender wrestling, drawing attention to issues surrounding transgender participation in sports.
Style and Strengths
Nyla Rose competes as a powerhouse wrestler with an imposing physical presence. Standing at 170 centimeters and weighing 84 kilograms, she uses her size and strength to dominate opponents in the ring. Rose employs a hard-hitting style that includes power moves and devastating strikes. Her ability to absorb punishment while delivering offense makes her a formidable opponent for any wrestler.
Rose’s experience across different wrestling styles, including her time wrestling in Japan, has contributed to her versatile in-ring approach. She combines traditional power wrestling with technical elements and high-impact maneuvers. Her persona as a dominant force in the women’s division has made her a credible threat to any championship contender. Rose’s character work, particularly during her heel runs, has demonstrated her ability to connect with audiences as both a villain and a respected competitor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Nyla Rose’s career is defined by several historic milestones. Her signing with AEW in 2019 marked the first time an openly transgender wrestler signed with a major American promotion. This achievement broke barriers and opened doors for greater LGBTQ representation in professional wrestling. Her victory for the AEW Women’s World Championship in February 2020 represented another groundbreaking moment as she became the first transgender woman to win a world championship in major U.S. wrestling.
Rose’s performances at major AEW events, including Double or Nothing, All Out, and Revolution, have established her as a consistent main-event caliber performer. Her participation in high-profile tournaments and championship matches has solidified her status as one of the most recognizable figures in women’s professional wrestling. Beyond her in-ring accomplishments, Rose has also ventured into other media, including acting and comic book writing, further expanding her influence and presence in entertainment.
Nyla Rose Career Wins
Nyla Rose has achieved significant success throughout her wrestling career, particularly during her time with All Elite Wrestling. Her accomplishments include winning major championships and participating in historic matches that have shaped the landscape of women’s professional wrestling. Rose’s victories represent both her athletic abilities and her role as a pioneer for transgender representation in sports entertainment.
AEW Highlights
Nyla Rose’s most notable achievement in AEW was winning the AEW Women’s World Championship on February 12, 2020. She defeated Riho to capture the title, making history as the first transgender woman to win a world championship in a major United States wrestling promotion. Rose successfully defended her championship against Kris Statlander at Revolution before eventually losing the title to Hikaru Shida at Double or Nothing in May 2020.
Rose also won the AEW Women’s Casino Battle Royal at All Out in 2019, which earned her the opportunity to compete for the inaugural AEW Women’s World Championship. Throughout her AEW tenure, she has secured victories over notable competitors including Dr. Britt Baker, Tay Conti, Thunder Rosa, and Hikaru Shida in tournament competition. Her performances in the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament further demonstrated her ability to compete at the highest level.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to joining AEW, Nyla Rose built an impressive resume on the independent wrestling circuit. She competed for various promotions across the United States and gained international experience wrestling in Japan. Rose’s performances with Women Superstars Uncensored helped establish her reputation as a rising star in women’s wrestling. Her work in Japan with Pro Wrestling Zero1 and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling exposed her to different wrestling styles and contributed to her development as a well-rounded performer.
Nyla Rose Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nyla Rose was born Brandi Hicks Degroat on August 3, 1982, in Washington, D.C. She comes from a diverse ethnic background with African American and Native American ancestry, specifically from the Oneida nation. Rose has credited her grandmother with introducing her to professional wrestling during her childhood. This early exposure to wrestling, combined with her family’s support, helped shape her path toward becoming a professional wrestler.
Personal Life
Nyla Rose is openly transgender and began her transition during her college years. Her journey as a transgender woman has been an important part of her public identity and has made her a significant figure for LGBTQ representation in professional wrestling. Rose has used her platform to advocate for greater acceptance and understanding of transgender individuals in sports and entertainment. In addition to wrestling, she has pursued acting and writing projects, including co-writing a comic book for Marvel.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Nyla Rose continues to compete in All Elite Wrestling, maintaining her status as a prominent figure in the women’s division. Throughout her career, Rose has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, evolving her character and in-ring style to remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of professional wrestling. Her experience and veteran presence make her a valuable asset to AEW’s roster, both as an in-ring performer and as a mentor to younger wrestlers.
Rose’s role in AEW’s women’s division continues to evolve as she takes on new challenges and storylines. Her historic achievements have established her legacy in professional wrestling, and she remains an influential figure for transgender athletes worldwide. While specific details about her 2025 season are still developing, Rose’s track record suggests she will continue to be a significant presence in major matches and championship scenarios throughout the year.
