Former WWE star Gabbi Tuft, formerly known as Tyler Reks, recently appeared on “Talk is Jericho” to discuss her time in the wrestling company and her life today. Tuft opened up about her transition and how she no longer identifies with her pre-transition self.
Tuft acknowledged that while many in the transgender community don’t view transitioning as the “death” of their former selves, she personally feels that way. She expressed disbelief at the person she used to be and emphasized that she has moved beyond that identity.
Despite her profound personal transformation, Tuft does not harbor negative feelings toward her time in WWE, nor does she distance herself from her wrestling past. She mentioned that she occasionally shows her daughter videos of her wrestling days, demonstrating her acceptance of her history.
Tuft recounted her journey into professional wrestling, noting that she wasn’t a big wrestling fan before joining WWE. Her training began with Florida Championship Wrestling, and she entered the business after being discovered by Rick Bassman in Southern California and scouted by WWE officials. Her lack of prior experience in the independent circuit made her an outsider when she started her training at FCW, but WWE recognized her marketability, and she was ultimately hired.
I don’t feel like that guy exists anymore.
I can’t even imagine I was that person at that time.
During her time with WWE from 2008 to 2012, Tuft’s character, Tyler Reks, did not achieve significant popularity, leading to her release in 2012. Tuft attributed her struggles to fully grasp the character and her lack of confidence at the time. She also mentioned that WWE could have provided more support in helping her develop the character, but she ultimately takes responsibility for her career trajectory, stating, “I don’t blame anybody. I blame myself.”
Gabbi Tuft’s journey from Tyler Reks to her current self reflects her personal growth and transformation, both within and outside the wrestling world.
