Gabbi Tuft
Tuft in 2023
Born (1978-11-01) November 1, 1978
San Francisco, California, United States[1]
Spouse(s)
Priscilla Tuft
​
​
(m. 2002; sep. 2021)​
Children1
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Gabe Tuft[1]
Taj Milano
Tyler Reks[1]
Billed height6 ft 2 in (188 cm) [2]
Billed weight246 lb (112 kg) (now 210 lb)[2]
Billed fromParts Unknown[2]
Laguna Beach, California
Trained byMike Bell[1]
Ultimate Pro Wrestling[1]
Florida Championship Wrestling[1]
DebutFebruary 2007
Retired2014

Gabbi Alon Tuft[3] (born November 1, 1978) is an American TikToker and retired professional wrestler.[4] Tuft is best known for her time with WWE under the ring name Tyler Reks.[2] Tuft also competed in WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where she won the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship once and the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice, once with Joe Hennig and once with Johnny Curtis.

Since retiring from professional wrestling in 2014, Tuft works in marketing. She also launched a fitness website with several other wrestlers.[5][6] Gabbi Tuft publicly came out as a trans woman in February 2021.[7][8][9]

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2007–2008)

Tuft was trained by Mike Bell.[1] She made her professional debut in February 2007 for Ultimate Pro Wrestling.[1]

World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE

Florida Championship Wrestling (2008–2009)

Tuft was signed to a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment in January 2008 and was assigned to the Florida Championship Wrestling territory as Tyler Reks.[1] She made her FCW debut on February 5, 2008,[10] with Johnny Curtis in a losing effort against Eric Pérez and Eddie Colon. A few days later on February 12 she made her singles FCW debut in a losing effort once again against "The South City Thriller" Hade Vansen. She participated in a FCW Florida Heavyweight Title Battle Royal which was won by Jake Hager.[11] She also took part in the FCW Florida Tag Team Title Tournament with Rycklon. During this tournament she had her first victory at FCW defeating Ted DiBiase Jr. and Afa, Jr. in the first round, however the pair subsequently lost to Eddie Colon and Eric Perez in the quarter finals.[11] Tuft then had two chances at the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship against the current champion Jake Hager; first in a one on one match and then in a triple threat match along with Johnny Curtis. On the August 28 she participated in an FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contendership Fatal Four Way along with Johnny Curtis, Tyrone Evans, and Sheamus O'Shaunessy, who went on to win the match. Tuft then went on to have another two FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship shots against Sheamus O'Shaunessy and lost both times.[11] On December 11, 2008, Reks and Johnny Curtis defeated The New Hart Foundation (DH Smith and TJ Wilson) to win the Florida Tag Team Championship in Tampa, Florida.[12] After numerous defenses and 139 days of holding the titles, they lost them to Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta. Tuft won FCW Florida Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contendership match and on June 11, 2009, she captured the Florida Heavyweight Championship by defeating Drew McIntyre.[13] She later lost the title to Heath Slater at the FCW television tapings on August 13.[14] She later lost to Slater again during her rematch for the title. She lost to Joe Hennig in a FCW Florida Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contendership match and lost a FCW Florida Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contendership battle royal. She and Leo Kruger had a FCW Florida Tag Team Title match against Epico but lost.[15]

Singles competition (2009–2011)

Reks made her main roster debut on ECW on Sci Fi on the June 30, 2009 episode, with a surfer in-ring persona, in a backstage promo with Zack Ryder.[2][16] Reks had suffered a knee injury just prior to her debut, but was able to work through it and made her in-ring debut on the July 2, 2009, episode of WWE Superstars, losing to Ryder.[17] On the July 21 episode of ECW, Reks gained her first win after defeating Paul Burchill, and then beat him again the following week.[18] Reks participated in a 10-man battle royal on the September 15 edition of ECW for an ECW Championship opportunity against Christian, but the match would go on to be won by Zack Ryder. Tuft would begin a brief hiatus from television starting in November 2009 and began mainly working dark matches and house shows for both SmackDown and Raw and FCW matches. Reks was one of the participants in the 26-man pre-show battle royal at WrestleMania XXVI.[19]

In April 2010, Reks joined the SmackDown roster following ECW's cancellation. After months of only working dark matches, Reks made her SmackDown television debut as a heel on the October 15 edition of the program while sporting a beard, chest hair, and new attire in addition to never referencing to her time on ECW. After a promo, she challenged and defeated Kaval in a match for the latter's spot in the SmackDown Bragging Rights team.[20] On the Raw before Bragging Rights, she participated in a SmackDown vs. RAW 30 Man Tag Team Battle Royal, in which Smackdown was victorious. At Bragging Rights, Reks was able to eliminate Santino Marella before being eliminated by Sheamus. However, Team SmackDown was successful in winning the Bragging Rights Cup for the second consecutive time, which would end up being Reks' most significant accomplishment in her WWE career.[2][21] After this, Reks was placed on Alberto Del Rio's Survivor Series team at the event. On the SmackDown before Survivor Series 2010 she competed in a Ten Man Tag Team Battle Royal but her team lost. At Survivor Series 2010 she was eliminated by Kofi Kingston as Team Del Rio went on to lose the match to Team Mysterio.[2][22] Reks was then moved into a feud with Chris Masters, defeating him once on SmackDown and twice on Superstars.[23]

On January 30, 2011, Reks made her Royal Rumble debut at the namesake event as she entered the Royal Rumble match as the sixteenth entrant, but was eliminated from the match in only 34 seconds by CM Punk and the New Nexus. Reks was involved in another dark battle royal at Wrestlemania 27. Reks participated in a battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. Her last in-ring television performance for five months would be beating JTG on Superstars.[24]

Teaming with Curt Hawkins (2011–2012)

The two wrestlers standing in a ring
Reks (left) with wrestling partner Curt Hawkins

On April 26, Reks was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft.[25] After wrestling dark matches for a few months, Reks made her Raw debut in a backstage segment with Curt Hawkins, Wade Barrett, and Alberto Del Rio.[26] On the September 8 edition of Superstars, Reks made her in-ring return as she teamed with Hawkins to defeat Titus O'Neil and Percy Watson.[27][28] Hawkins and Reks then began appearing on the fifth season of NXT, by attacking the Usos from behind on the September 27th episode of NXT.[29] Over the next two weeks on NXT, Hawkins and Reks faced the Usos in tag team matches, with Hawkins and Reks winning the first match[30] and the Usos winning the second match.[31] Reks made her singles return on October 16 losing to Yoshi Tatsu.[24] Reks participated in a World Heavyweight Championship number 1 contender 41 man battle royal and the "All I Want For Christmas Battle Royal" and was eliminated in both.[24] Hawkins and Reks would lose to The Usos once again on December 6. Reks and Hawkins would then lose a non-title match to the tag team champions Air Boom on the December 22 episode of Superstars.[32] Hawkins and Reks engaged in a feud with the duo of Trent Barreta and Yoshi Tatsu beginning in December 2011.[33] Both teams would play pranks on each other, with Tatsu being locked in a closet and Reks' hands being superglued onto an Xbox controller.[34] The feud ended when Hawkins and Reks defeated Barreta and Tatsu on the January 18, 2012 episode of NXT.[35]

Hawkins and Reks would then settle into the role of NXT's troublemakers, tormenting NXT host Matt Striker on his lackluster career and how they should be main-eventing NXT, even once going to the extent of assaulting him after a match.[36] They forced Striker to appoint William Regal as NXT's prime authority figure on the February 29 episode of NXT.[37] Regal would employ harsh measures to keep Hawkins and Reks in line, including threatening suspensions for bad behaviour and condemning them to janitorial duty, this caused them much frustration.[38] On the March 21 episode of NXT Redemption, Striker was knocked out with chloroform by Johnny Curtis and Maxine, and then Striker was kidnapped (kayfabe) by unknown persons,[39] later revealed to be Hawkins and Reks, who intended to blackmail Maxine into using her charms to get Regal to leave them alone.[40] Unfortunately for Hawkins and Reks, Striker was rescued by Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn.[41] On the April 18 episode of NXT, the freed Striker confronted Hawkins and Reks about the kidnapping, and Hawkins admitted the crime. As punishment, Regal put Hawkins and Reks in a match against each other with Striker as referee and the loser of the match would be fired. Even though Reks won to supposedly save her job at the expense of Hawkins', Regal decided to fire Reks as well, sending the two troublemakers away from NXT.[42]

However, Regal could not keep the duo away from NXT for long, as they managed to convince villainous higher authority figure John Laurinaitis to rehire them as NXT's security team on the May 9 episode of NXT.[43] Hawkins and Reks would then continue to play the role of Laurinaitis' lackeys, confiscating anti-Laurinaitis signs at Over the Limit[44] and attacking John Cena on the May 21 episode of Raw.[45] Hawkins and Reks' association with Laurinaitis ended after Laurinaitis lost his job at No Way Out.[46] On the final episode of the fifth season of NXT on June 13, Hawkins and Reks defeated Percy Watson and Derrick Bateman.[47]

Hawkins and Reks would then engage in a one-sided feud with Ryback in July 2012. After both Hawkins and Reks lost singles matches to Ryback on SmackDown, Ryback defeated both of them in a handicap match at Money in the Bank.[48] At Raw 1000, Hawkins and Reks, along with Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre, Hunico, and Camacho, attempted to ambush Kane to make a statement, but a returning The Undertaker interrupted the attack and the Brothers of Destruction disposed of Hawkins and Reks.[49] The duo would once again lose to Ryback on the August 6 episode of Raw.[50]

After being told by SmackDown general manager Booker T to "step it up",[51] Hawkins and Reks debuted a stripper gimmick on the August 17 episode of SmackDown while squashing a jobber tag team.[52] A week later, Reks asked for her release as she intended to retire from wrestling to spend more time with her family; she and WWE parted ways on August 21, thus ending the team.[4][53]

Return to independent circuit (2014)

Reuniting with Curt Hawkins, the pair tagged together as part of Pro Wrestling Syndicate picking up a win in September against Kevin Matthews and Lance Hoyt.[54]

In other media

Reks, together with Curt Hawkins, created an animated YouTube series called MidCard Mafia in 2011, which was quickly cancelled and pulled from the internet after complaints from WWE management.[55]

Personal life

Tuft after transitioning

Tuft married Priscilla Tuft in 2002.[56] Their daughter was born in 2011.[57] Tuft came out as a trans woman to her wife in September 2020[56] and publicly on February 4, 2021.[7][9][58] In an October 2023 essay for Business Insider, Tuft wrote that her transition had contributed to her separation from Priscilla in October 2021 and that they were in the process of divorcing, but stated that they remain "the best of friends".[56]

In 2019, Tuft was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm and underwent open-heart surgery.[59]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Tyler Reks". WWE. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  3. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (February 4, 2021). "Former WWE Superstar Tyler Reks (Gabe Tuft) Making Gender Transition Into Gabbi Tuft". Fightful. The gender reveal (as it was specifically referred to in the press release supplied) will happen on the February 5 Extra TV. She will now go by Gabbi Tuft.
  4. 1 2 Caldwell, James. "WWE News: Tyler Reks details his decision to leave WWE - was there a breaking point?, will he ever wrestle again? (w/AUDIO)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Current And Former WWE Stars Working On New Project, Big Performances For Lilian & Jericho - WrestlingInc.com". wrestlinginc.com. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ "ref". Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Lambert, Jeremy (February 4, 2021). "Former WWE Superstar Tyler Reks Making Gender Transition Into Gabbi Tuft". Fightful. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  8. ↑ Johnson, Mike (February 4, 2021). "Former WWE star Tyler Reks announces gender transition to female, will now be known as Gabbi Tuft". PWInsider. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Beltran, William (February 4, 2021). "Tyler Reks announces she's now a transgender woman". Super Luchas. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  10. ↑ Lugris, Mark (February 5, 2021). "Former WWE Wrestler Gabbi Tuft Comes Out As Transgender". TheSportster. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « Tyler Reks « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". cagematch.net. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Tyler Reks". The Official Wrestling Museum. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ "New FCW Champion Crowned, Maria On TV Tonight, More". SEScoops. June 12, 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  14. ↑ Martin, Adam (August 14, 2009). "New champion crowned in FCW". WrestleView. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Tyler Reks". Online World of Wrestling. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Florida Championship Wrestling, I mean ECW, TV report". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. June 30, 2009. Archived from the original on July 4, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  17. ↑ Mackinder, Matt (July 2, 2009). "WWE Superstars: Punk's heel turn continues". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2009.
  18. ↑ Bishop, Matt (July 22, 2009). "ECW: Dreamer, Christian jabber prior to Night of Champions". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
  19. ↑ "WWE WrestleMania XXVI vom 28. März 2010". WrestlingCorner.de (in German). September 4, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  20. ↑ Parks, Greg (October 15, 2010). "Parks' WWE SmackDown report 10/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Undertaker's "return" (again)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Team SmackDown def. Team Raw".
  22. ↑ "Team Mysterio def. Team Del Rio".
  23. ↑ "Chris Masters vs. Tyler Reks". WWE. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Matches « Tyler Reks « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  25. ↑ "WWE News: Full list of 2011 WWE Draft Picks (televised Raw Draft & Supplemental Draft)". Pro Wrestling Torch. April 26, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2011.
  26. ↑ "KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 9/5: Mystery text source revealed, big stips added to Punk-Hunter match at PPV, Zack Ryder record TV time".
  27. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 9/8: Bryan dominates main event, Fox vs. Tamina, returns & TV debuts & squash matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  28. ↑ Martin, Adam (September 10, 2011). "Superstars Results - 9/8/11". WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  29. ↑ Bishop, Matt. "WWE NXT: Show becomes tag team anarchy". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  30. ↑ Bishop, Matt. "WWE NXT: Show becoming land of misfit toys". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  31. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE.COM NXT REDEMPTION REPORT: POTENTIAL TAG TITLE CONTENDERS IN ACTION; DIVAS IN ACTION; AND A ROOKIE GETS TO WRESTLE". PWInsider. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
  32. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "SPOILERS: WWE Superstars for December 22". Wrestleview. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  33. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 12/15 – Week 41: Showtime vs. Curtis, Love Triangle continues, Titus snaps, Ronald Reagan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  34. ↑ Martin, Adam. "NXT Results – 1/4/12". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  35. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results - 1/18/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  36. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 2/8/12". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  37. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 2/29/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  38. ↑ Walek, Gregory. "NXT Results – 3/7/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  39. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 3/21 – Week 55: Kidd vs. McGillicutty main event, bizarre episode with kidnapping & Regal foot massage, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  40. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 4/4 – Week 57: Bateman-McGillicutty main event, physical Divas match, NXT love stories continue, Regal applies the law". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  41. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 4/11 – Week 58: Kidd-McGillicutty best-of-three conclusion, kidnapping caper, Regal Logic". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  42. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 4/18 – Week 59: Two "firings" in London; CHIVERTON'S NXT Weekly Rankings & Evaluation 4/11 – Week 58". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  43. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 5/9 - Week 62: JTG debuts new look, Laurinaitis infiltrates NXT, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  44. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE OVER THE LIMIT PPV REPORT 5/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Cena-Johnny, Punk-Bryan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  45. ↑ Tylwalk, Nick. "Raw: Big Show sells out and the locker room empties". Slam! Sports. Canadian Wrestling Observer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  46. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE NO WAY OUT PPV REPORT 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Cena vs. Show, potential "firings," who will A.J. choose?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Percy Watson". cagematch.net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  48. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE MITB PPV REPORT 7/15: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Punk vs. Bryan, Sheamus vs. Del Rio, two MITB matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  49. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 7/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw #999 - WWE recognizes 1,000 episodes, WWE Title match, Lesnar, Rock, DX, wedding". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  50. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 8/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - HBK live appearance, Lesnar in the building, Summerslam hype". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  51. ↑ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 8/10: Complete "virtual time" coverage of the Friday night show, including Dolph Ziggler as guest on Jericho's Highlight Reel". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  52. ↑ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday night show, including follow-up to Del Rio removed from World Title match at Summerslam". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  53. ↑ Caldwell, James. "WWE makes Reks's departure official". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  54. ↑ PWS Ten Thirty One Archived December 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine published 16 September 2014
  55. ↑ Stewart, Josh (June 17, 2012). "Glen Cove native Curt Hawkins back in Long Island with WWE". Newsday. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  56. 1 2 3 Tuft, Gabbi (October 15, 2023). "When I came out as transgender, my wife admitted she wasn't attracted to me anymore. Our marriage is over, but we still love each other". Business Insider. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  57. ↑ Chung, Gabrielle (November 16, 2023). "Former WWE Star Gabbi Tuft Shares Transition Journey After Coming Out as Transgender". E! News. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  58. ↑ Johnson, Mike (February 4, 2021). "FORMER WWE STAR TYLER REKS ANNOUNCES GENDER TRANSITION TO FEMALE, WILL NOW BE KNOWN AS GABBI TUFT". PWInsider. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  59. ↑ Bernstein, Jacob (August 5, 2023). "After Transitioning, Gabbi Tuft Pays a Visit to Smackdown". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  60. ↑ "FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship hertory".
  61. ↑ "FCW Florida Tag Team Championship hertory".
  62. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2009". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  63. ↑ "2010 Supplemental Slammy Award winners". Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
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