Ex-WWE star Gabbi Tuft files petition to legally change name and gender after coming out as trans

Former WWE star Gabbi Tuft has officially filed a petition to legally change her name and gender after coming out as trans.

The 42-year-old retired wrestler – who worked for Vince McMahon’s company as Tyler Reks between 2008 and 2012 – came out as transgender last month, and now she has revealed the next step in her journey.

Sharing a screenshot of the official document, she wrote on her Instagram Story: ‘Petition to change legal name and sex/gender marker filed!’

This comes weeks after Gabbi opened up candidly about her ‘authentic self’ in an emotional post about stripping away ‘the barriers that hide who you desperately desire to be’.

Alongside an artistic nude photo, she said: ‘What does your authentic self look like?

‘When you strip away all of the layers, all of the walls that have been built to protect your innermost being, when you remove the barriers that hide who you desperately desire to be – there you will find your true self.

‘Freeing this quelled spirit though, requires change, and like most change, it can be painful at first. The process opens up our shell and exposes us to the elements.’

Gabbi suggested she experienced ‘fear’ and ‘ridicule’ during her own journey, but admitted she feels ‘stronger’ after coming out on the other side.

She continued: ‘You may experience fear. You may experience ridicule. You may experience extreme emotions.

‘Navigating our way through these oceans though, is what makes us stronger. These seemingly harsh waters force our courage to rise, they solidify our strength and our confidence, and allow us to stand firm in WHO we were meant to be.’

Gabbi – who has received well-wishes from the world of wrestling – revealed the photo was her way of being ‘exposed to the world’ in the most authentic way possible.

‘When there is nothing left to hide, When fear is replaced with confidence, When you can sit exposed to the world as your authentic self,’ she wrote.

‘Your light will illuminate the darkness and your very breath, bathed in love, will extinguish every flaming arrow. It is then, you will veraciously, and finally be YOU.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Ex-WWE star Gabbi Tuft shares powerful nude photo after coming out as transgender

MORE : Ex-WWE star Tyler Reks reveals gender transition and now using female pronouns