The Missouri Athletic Commission denied professional Japanese wrestler Miyu Yamashita a license to wrestle in her tag team championship match on Sunday. Yamashita, who has a valid work visa and has participated in several matches across the country, including two in Missouri in 2023, does not have a Social Security number, which led to her denial hours before the match, according to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), the company hosting the event.
Yamashita's situation highlights the complex regulatory landscape that professional wrestlers must navigate in the United States. Professional wrestling includes elements of athletic performance in matches, yet regulators still largely treat professional wrestling as a performance art. This means wrestlers, promoters, and referees typically need licenses to work, which can vary significantly depending on the state.
A wrestler with events in three different states in the same month might need three different licenses, all of which have separate and distinct requirements. For example, Kentucky requires a Social Security number on its licensing form, but Maryland (and Missouri, notably) does not. Alabama requires proof of legal presence, which includes a work permit. Oklahoma does not require either, and applicants can receive licenses on the same day they submit their application.
