Aubrey Edwards continues to build her legacy in professional wrestling, adding another milestone to her career earlier this year. The AEW official became the first woman to referee a men’s match in CMLL, marking a historic moment in the promotion’s long history. While the achievement stands out, Edwards made it clear that the lack of attention around it is what truly represents progress.
Since joining AEW in 2019, Edwards has consistently broken new ground as a referee. Her latest accomplishment in CMLL adds to a growing list of firsts, further establishing her as a key figure in pushing change within the industry. However, for Edwards, the focus is no longer on being recognized for these milestones, but rather on how normal they have become.
Aubrey Edwards Breaking Glass Ceilings
During a recent interview with Pro Wrestling Proverbs, Edwards spoke about how gender equality in wrestling has evolved and why it matters that such achievements are no longer treated as major headlines.
“It’s wild. Like, I was just- I had a panel earlier today, and the thing I like is that it wasn’t a big deal, which means that it’s kind of like- that’s what you want, right? I was the first woman in the 92-year history of CMLL to officiate a men’s match, and it happened in January, and we didn’t make it news at all, but that’s like actually what equality is. You just see someone there and go, ‘yeah, this makes sense.’ Whereas like before seven years ago, there was no female referee at the table. It was brand new, but now it’s just normal, and there’s girls popping up on the indies all the time, and it’s just wild to see like the impact that you can have, no matter how long the professional wrestling has been around, it still wants to be in here. You have a small part to play in sort of setting what the next generation will expect to see out of wrestling is really, really cool.”
Edwards highlighted that true equality is achieved when accomplishments like hers no longer feel unusual. Instead of being treated as exceptions, they are simply part of the standard landscape. She pointed out that just a few years ago, female referees were rare, but now they are regularly seen across independent promotions and major companies alike.
Her perspective reflects a broader shift within professional wrestling, where opportunities are becoming more inclusive. Edwards also emphasized the importance of representation, noting that today’s changes help shape what future generations will expect from the industry.
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