Amid her battle with ALS, Rebel (Tanea Brooks) got to spend time with a couple of visitors on Friday.
New AEW signee Mick Foley shared a photo to social media saying he was having the “best” time spending the day with Rebel and Britt Baker. All three were wearing the “Rebel Heart” bracelets that AEW recently released to raise money for ALS support organizations.
“REBEL HEART!,” Foley wrote. “Having the BEST day, visiting with @rebeltanea & @realbrittbaker – who are FORCING me to watch [Love Island]….which I’m kind of addicted to now!”
Rebel announced this week that she has joined the group I Am ALS as an ambassador. It’s a patient-led organization that is looking to accelerate a cure for the fatal disease by “mobilizing collective power to drive urgent policy and systems change.”
The profits raised from AEW’s “Rebel Heart” bracelet and T-shirt sales will be donated to I Am ALS and Team Gleason, another charity that helps support those suffering from the progressive neurodegenerative disease.
The 47-year-old Rebel announced her ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis last month after going through a long period where she was having serious health problems but doctors could not fully figure out what was wrong. She is best known to AEW fans through the partnership she once had with Baker on screen.
Baker has been off AEW television since late 2024 with no official explanation. Tony Khan has left the door open for her to return when asked about her status in media interviews, but there have not been any developments despite his comments.
The legendary Foley debuted for AEW as a broadcaster at Double or Nothing 2026 and could end up getting into the ring eventually for one final match.
It sounds like AEW is in the early stages of planning to make the next Fight for the Fallen a show to benefit ALS research and those suffering from the terrible disease.
Rebel (real name Tanea Brooks), best known to AEW fans through her on-screen pairing with Britt Baker, announced this month that she’s been diagnosed with ALS, a fatal disease that has no cure. She’s been going through an awful health ordeal where, prior to this diagnosis, doctors could not figure out what was wrong. The 47 year old has struggled with walking and talking, along with battling lung issues.
At Sunday night’s post-Double or Nothing media scrum, Khan was asked if there is anything fans can do to help support Rebel. Khan shared that he’s in communication with Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints player who has helped inspire others and raise awareness through his own battle with ALS. Khan mentioned the idea of making the next Fight for the Fallen an event to benefit ALS-focused charities. AEW is also producing “Rebel Heart” bracelets to show they are behind her.
“First of all, I want to send best wishes to Rebel. Rebel’s been with us since the beginning. She’s not here on the road with us now, but Rebel’s still always going to be a big part of AEW. And we’re thinking about her,” Khan said. “We’re keeping Rebel in our thoughts, but also, there are things you can do to support her.
“I just got it today, I have not had a chance to reply because I’ve been at the show, but I’m going to reply to him. I just heard from Steve Gleason. Steve Gleason reached out on behalf of the ALS Foundation and his own foundation, and I do think there’s going to be great chances to collaborate and do something. We’ll have these bracelets thinking about Rebel. And I’m thinking that it would be great to work with Steve Gleason and the ALS Foundation to put together Fight for the Fallen and have Fight for the Fallen to benefit ALS and people dealing with ALS and the treatment. And I think that would be something that we could all do that would be a positive way to support.”
AEW Fight for the Fallen —
First taking place in 2019 shortly after AEW was launched, Fight for the Fallen is a show where proceeds are donated to a different charity each year. The inaugural Fight for the Fallen benefitted victims of gun violence. Last year, the event was a Dynamite episode from Asheville, North Carolina. Money was raised to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene, which had devastated the Asheville area.
There has been no announcement as to the date or location for Fight for the Fallen 2026.
On the May 2 episode of Collision, AEW took a moment to let Rebel know how much she means to the company and that she is in everyone’s thoughts.
Rebel says that the response from fans and the message AEW sent to her on Collision lifted her spirits.
After she shared news earlier this week that she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS, Tony Schiavone sent a message of support to Rebel on Saturday’s broadcast from Peoria.
“We want Rebel to know you are a big part of AEW. We are thinking about you right now. We are praying for you that you will pull through this. We got a lot of signs in the stands here tonight that says ‘Rebel, we love you. We pray for Rebel,’ and we certainly do agree with that as well.”
On Sunday, Rebel posted to Instagram with a picture of Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness at the broadcast desk, along with the caption:
“Thank you to my @aew family and @tonyrkhan and thank you to the fans for the signs. They truly lift my spirits 🫶“
A screenshot of Rebel’s Instagram Stories is below:
“We want Rebel to know you are a big part of AEW, we’re thinking about you right now, we are praying for you that you will pull through this,” he said.
Schiavone pointed out that many fans in attendance had brought signs in support of the AEW wrestler, best known for her association with Britt Baker in the early years of the company.
“Rebel, we hope you get better,” Schiavone concluded.
Health struggles over the years
Rebel has been struggling with health issues dating back to 2024. In February, she announced that she was in an inpatient rehablilitation program after being diagnosed with primary pulmonary lymphona, a form of cancer that affects the lungs. She was set to undergo surgery when doctors discovered she had ALS.
“There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don’t know how long I have, but it explains why I have trouble walking and talking, and all my functions will soon decline. But now we can prepare for the future and what is to come,” she said. “And I wanna say thank you to Tony Khan and AEW for supporting me on this medical journey. It has been a blessing that is unheard of. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“And thank you to all of you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a peaceful journey and a peaceful passing. I love you.“
— Garrett Gonzales and I will be back with a show this afternoon covering the news of the week and Bryan and I will have our weekend update on Sunday night.
— Just wanted to send sympathies and make mention of Tanea Brooks, the former Rebel in TNA and AEW, who was diagnosed with ALS. She has been battling health issues for years and they never could give her an answer as to what her problems were. She was about to have lung surgery and she found out that was the issue. ALS is as horrible a disease as there is. there is no coming back from it and you just continually get weaker. Among the high profile people who have had it include baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, Stephen Hawking, Roberta Flack, Dwight Clark, David Niven, Ezzard Charles and Steve McMichael. This was such a sad diagnosis. She put out a video today.
— Smackdown is tonight from Tulsa. Very little has been announced, only that Cody Rhodes will open the show, that Ricky Saints will debut and that Charlotte Flair will wrestle Jacy Jayne. They had 6,388 tickets out as of earlier today. There is some ticket sale softness for a lot of the WWE advance sales.
— MLW talent will be in Mexico this week. Tonight at Arena Mexico has:
Ikuero Kwon & Okumura vs. Los Calavera Jr. I & II
Olympia vs. Lady Frost
Shotzi vs. Garra Negra for MLW women’s title
Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak vs,. Averno & Euforia for MLW tag titles
Neon vs. Diego Hll
Angel de Oro & Soberano Jr. vs. Austin Aries & Trevor Lee
Kushida vs, Templario for the MLW middeweight title
The show is at 7 p.m. Eastern time on the CMLL YouTube page.
— For tomorrow night at Arena Coliseo, the key matches are Dyer & Dijak vs. Bue Panther & Hill non-title, Trevor Lee vs. Volador Jr. in a lightning match and Titan & Templario vs, Aries & Kushida.
— Sunday at Arena Mexico has a Cibernetcio main event with CMLL vs MLW with Akuma, Averno, Black Tiger, Flip Gordon, Mascara Dorada, Neon, Templario, Aries, Dyer, Hill, Dijak, Kwon, Kushida and Lee.
— Monday in Puebla has a Cibernetico with Barbaro Cavernario, Difunto, Esfinge, Titan, Dyer, Hill, Dijak and Kwon, plus Kushida vs Xelhjua and Angel de Oro & Dorada vs. Aries & Lee.
— Tuesday in Guadalajara has Dyer & Hill & Dijak vs. Averno & Euphoria & Rey Bucanero Aries & Kwon & Lee vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja and Blue Panther vs. Hechicero.
— The AAA television show on YouTube Saturday night from Queretaro is live with El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo, Rey Fenix vs Laredo Kid non-tite and the contract signings with the Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano mask vs. mask match on 5/30.
— Charles Oliveira’s camp announced that he’s signed a new eight fight deal with the UFC.
— Johnny Walker in UFC is moving to heavyweight for an 8/1 fight in Belgrade, Serbia, where he’ll face Ante Delija.
— Arman Tsarukyan has signed for another wrestling match with RAF on 6/13 in St. Louis where he’ll face Tony Ferguson.
— Jackey Kamei of Dragon Gate has been announced for the British J Cup on 6/23 in Stevenage at the Gordon Craig Theater.
— The NWA debuts on Comet TV at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight. A new show will air at 4 pm. Eastern tomorrow.
— UFC starts at 4 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning from Perth, Western Australia on Paramount +:
Dom Mar Fan (155) vs. Kody Steele (156)
Jonathna Micalief (170) vs. Themba Gorimbo (171)
Ben Johnston (185.5) vs. Wes Schultz (186)
Colby Thicknesse (135) vs. Vince Morales (136)
Jacob Malkoun (186) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (190) – Meerschaert missed weight by four pounds. The fight will be taking pace with Meershaert forfeting 30 percent of his purse
Junior Tafa (205.5) vs. KIevin Christian (204)
Cam Rowston (185) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
Tai Tuivasa (265) vs. Louie Sutherland (261)
Shamil Gaziev (264) vs. Brando Pericic (265)
Marwan Rahiki (146) vs. Ollie Schmid (145.5)
Tim Elliott (126) vs. Steve Ergec (125.5)
Beniel Dariush (156) vs. Quillan Salkild (156)
Jack Della Maddaena (170) vs. Carlos Prates (170)
— Hook and Billie Starkz are on the 6/19 GCW show in Cincinnati
— David Taylor, the former WCW wrestler from Britain and not the gold medalist from the U.S., turns 69 today. Gary Steele turns 53. Ace Romero turns 36. Tiffany Stratton turns 27. Neff Maiava, whose grandson is the starting QB at UFC and was one of the legends of 50th State Wrestling in Hawaii in the 60s and 70s, was born on this day in 1924. Jos LeDuc passed away 27 years ago today at the age of 54. Elizabeth Hulette, the famed Miss Elizabeth, was 42 when she passed away from an overdose 23 years ago. A little known fact is that in the early 80s, before she became famous Liz Hulette did a wrestling newsletter of sorts and was also on the ICW television show, a promotion run by Angelo Poffo, the father of Randy Savage. Kurt Von Poppenheim, an Oregon legend, was 89 when he passed away 23 years ago.
— Combate Global has announced a Mexico vs. USA fight show on 5/6 in Burbank, CA on EstrellaTV, Samsung gTV Plus and YouTube in the U.S.
— PFL tomorrow night on ESPN 2 at 10 p.m. Eastern frm Sioux Falls, SD
Logan Storley (170.4) vs. Florim Zendell (171)
Gadzhi Rabadanov (159.6) s. Alex Chizov (160)
Simeon Powell (205.6) vs. Emilian Sordi (205.5)
Renan Ferreria (262.5) vs Sergei Bilosteenly (262.2)
Magomed Magomedov (136.8) vs. Leandro Higo (135.6)
— Patricky Pitbull Freiore was to face Karate Combat champion Shahzaib Rind tomorrow night in Miami in Karate Combat event. However, this morning, when they were doing face-offs, it got nasty and the result was Patricky was cut above his left eye and that fight had to be canceled. Patricky and Rind were face-to-face when Patricky grabbed him in a bearhug like move. Rind pushed him and threw a head kick and they were separated. Patricio Pitbul Freire, the UFC fighter, landed a punch on Rind. Patricky said that yesterday when he and his brother and their wives were at breakfast, Rind’s team started throwing water on them. Patricky said he asked them to stop,but they continued and he threw a bottle of water at them. They chased them and a brawl broke out there as well. Rind was not in that brawl. Patricky said it was a set up as they were filming them throwing water.
— Create a Pro has sold out tonight’s show in Melville, NY with MJF in an open challenge, Nic Nemth vs. Bear Bronson, plus Kris Statlander, Max Caster, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Cedric Alexander and more.
— Charlotte Flair will be appearing for WWE Night at the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game in Carson, CA tomorrow night.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with a FREE SHOW talking all sorts of topics, medical issues in pro-wrestling, fans calls 911 over CM Punk, more on 2028’s possible WrestleMania location, Smackdown back to two hours soon, Braun Strowman’s Eats Everything, and tons more! Best of all it’s FREE! If you love it, sign up today on whatever platform you’re listening on and enjoy 85 SHOWS EVERY MONTH as part of your subscription! A fun time as always so check it out~!
“First, I want to say thank you for all your prayers, because for those who know, I spent a two-year medical journey trying to find out what is wrong.
And finally, our prayers have been answered.
The thing is, sometimes we don’t want to hear the answer to our prayers.
And so, while I was waiting to have lung surgery for the masses on my lungs, the doctors at Mayo found, finally found, what’s going on.
The doctors have diagnosed me with terminal ALS.
There is not a lot of research behind ALS, and we don’t know how long I have, but it explains why I have trouble walking and talking, and all my functions will soon decline. But now we can prepare for the future and what is to come.
And I wanna say thank you to Tony Khan and AEW for supporting me on this medical journey. It has been a blessing that is unheard of. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
And thank you to all of you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a peaceful journey and a peaceful passing. I love you.“
Rebel has been dealing with health issues dating back to May 2024, when she was first hospitalized for a mass on her lung that was eventually determined to be pneumonia. In June 2025, she underwent surgery to remove a tumor.
In November 2025, Rebel shared that she had been diagnosed with primary pulmonary lymphoma, a rare lymphoma involving the lungs. In February, Rebel revealed she was in an inpatient rehabilitation program.
On Thursday, she posted a message to social media revealing that she is currently in an inpatient rehabilitation program.
Real name Tanea Brooks, Rebel revealed last November that she had been diagnosed with primary pulmonary lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the lungs. However, she also noted that her doctors consider her a best-case scenario for her situation.
Rebel has been dealing with health issues since May 2024, including a neurological disorder that has made it more difficult for her to walk and speak clearly.
Rebel said:
“Right now I am in the hospital, but for a good reason. It’s a rehab hospital. I’ve been trying a few different rehabs, and I’m just not getting great results, so I was able to, while I’m waiting for my doctors to figure out what to do next – and I’ll share that with you guys when I know more. It just takes time. – But meanwhile, while I’m waiting, I was able to get into an inpatient rehab.”
“I’m doing speech therapy for my speech, and chewing is difficult and swallowing. So I’m getting speech therapy for that. I’m getting occupational therapy for being able to raise my hands.”
“And I’m also getting physical therapy, and that will help with my walking and my gait. Right now, I’m walking with a walker. I am able to walk without the walker, but I am a big fall risk. So we just take precautions.”
Rebel also mentioned that being in the inpatient program has allowed her to feel grateful for the things she is still able to do, noting that some other patients are not as fortunate.
“I am able to walk with a walker and even without a walker. And some people don’t get that privilege. So it is definitely helpful being here, just by being here without the therapy. And so I am staying strong and looking to get stronger and hopefully regain some independence.”
Tony Khan and AEW are showing their support for Rebel as she battles a very difficult health situation.
Over the weekend, Rebel (Tanea Brooks) shared that she has been diagnosed with pulmonary lymphoma. The diagnosis came after a year of her battling lung issues without a definitive answer being found. What originally was thought to be cryptococcal pneumonia ended up being diagnosed as cancer after Rebel was seen by the Mayo Clinic. Along this “tumultuous journey,” she has had many health issues including a neurological disorder that has limited her movement and made it difficult for her to speak clearly.
On social media today, Rebel shared a photo holding a gift basket that Khan sent her. She thanked him for the kind words he wrote in the card.
“Thank you @tonyrkhan for the kind words and gift basket,” she wrote. “Your support means the world to me.”
After an infection that she’s battling clears up, doctors will be able to determine what kind of treatment Rebel needs. She’s hoping that cancer treatment will begin around the start of 2026.
Rebel, a former TNA wrestler, is best known to AEW fans for the on-screen pairing she had with Britt Baker. When she first joined AEW, Rebel worked backstage as a makeup artist. She remains under contract with the company.
AEW’s Rebel has been diagnosed with pulmonary lymphoma.
Real name Tanea Brooks, she has been dealing with health issues since May of 2024. She was originally diagnosed with pneumonia but after a year of not getting better with treatment, she sought treatment from the Mayo Clinic, who diagnosed her with cancer of the lungs.
Rebel announced the news in a social media post on Sunday, saying:
“After a year of not getting better, I decided to go to the Mayo Clinic and see if I could get treated by them and they found that it was not cryptococcal pneumonia this whole time and that it is primary pulmonary lymphoma, which is cancer in the lungs. And if there is a best case scenario then I have it so that’s good.”
She continued:
“Tomorrow I start rehab because along this tumultuous journey I picked up a little disorder called functional neurological disorder and it has taken my ability to walk. I now walk with a walker and my ability to speak clearly, I don’t know if you can tell, but it sounds like I bit my tongue.”
Rebel also said that she’s lost some function in her right hand as well due to the neurological condition. She mentioned that the therapy she will be undergoing for it runs Monday thru Friday from 8AM to 5PM, or “like a full time job” as Rebel put it.
Treatment for her cancer won’t begin until she finishes treatment for an infection she is currently receiving IV antibiotics for.
Rebel continued:
“And once that’s finished, hopefully in December, I will go in for a third bronchoscopy to determine what kind of treatment are we having, chemo, radiation, immunology and then we’ll start there and then we’ll kick its ass, OK? So I’m hoping that will start around the first of 2026.”
As she continues to navigate a year of health challenges, Rebel (Tanea Brooks) has undergone surgery to remove a tumor.
The 46-year-old AEW personality shared the news of the surgery on her social media accounts today, keeping in good spirits as she quoted the movie “Kindergarten Cop.”
Rebel wrote: “It’s not a Tumah ~ Kindegarten Cop. Ok, it is, but it’s out now. Still healing with another surgery. Trying to get better from when I was hospitalized last May 2024.”
This surgery comes after Rebel noted last month that she was still trying to find answers for the health issues she’s been battling. She tweeted on May 12 that she was losing hope amid the situation but was determined to keep fighting.
Another day, another Dr. visit, no answers and not any better. It’s been a year since I was hospitalized and I’m losing Hope. I’m down and defeated but I’m still fighting 😔😬 pic.twitter.com/Wd6Apu9rQr
Rebel was hospitalized in May 2024 for a mass in her lung that was eventually determined to be pneumonia. In addition to that, CT scans found other minor issues that she needed to take care of.
A former TNA wrestler, Rebel originally joined AEW as a makeup artist but ended up having an on-screen role paired with Britt Baker. It’s been nearly three years since Rebel last competed in an AEW ring.
New participants have been added to AEW’s Women’s Casino Battle Royale that will take place at All Out.
Abadon, KyLinn King, Leyla Hirsch, Rebel, and Jamie Hayter have been added to the match. Anna Jay, who returned to AEW after being off due to injury on tonight’s episode of Dynamite, has also been added.
Others announced for the battle royale include Jade Cargill, Kiera Hogan, Hikaru Shida, Emi Sakura, Thunder Rosa, Tay Conti, Julia Hart, Big Swole, The Bunny, Red Velvet, Penelope Ford, Nyla Rose, and Diamante. Overall, nineteen participants have now been announced for the battle royale, with the winner getting a future AEW Women’s Championship match.
Originally the Buy-In preshow match, the battle royale has now been added to the main show after PAC vs. Andrade el Idolo was postponed.
Here is the current lineup for All Out pay-per-view, which takes place on September 5 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois:
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage title match
AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander title match
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express or Lucha Bros in a steel cage title match
AEW TNT Champion Miro vs. Eddie Kingston
CM Punk vs. Darby Allin
Chris Jericho vs. MJF with Jericho’s career on the line
Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall
Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima
Women’s Casino Battle Royale
Buy In pre-show: Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Wheeler Yuta, and Jurassic Express vs. Matt Hardy, Private Party, and TH2
Rebel suffered a dislocated kneecap on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Fightful Select reported that Rebel is back on her feet after dislocating her kneecap during a match where she teamed up with Britt Baker to defeat Nyla Rose and Vickie Guerrero. Towards the end of the match, Rebel went to break up a pin, but was unable to move after the spot. Baker picked up the pin after submitting Guerrerro with the lockjaw.
AEW officials tended to Rebel and helped her to the back. The post-match segment saw Rose attack Baker, powerbombing her through a table.
Rebel has only wrestled sporadically since becoming associated with Britt Baker, last losing to Hikaru Shida in a AEW Women’s World title eliminator match back on May 13th. The two were challenged to a tag team match two weeks ago on Dynamite by Guerrero. Nyla Rose has been feuding with Baker since the Dynamite following Double or Nothing, where Rose interrupted Baker’s championship celebration by ruining her hamburger display.
Three matches were announced for the June 30 edition of AEW Dynamite.
The show, which will be the final show at the Dalys Place before going back on tour, will include Miro defending the TNT title against Brian Pillman Jr., a tag team match with Britt Baker & Rebel facing Nyla Rose & Vickie Guerrero, and MJF vs. Sammy Guevara.
All three matches were set up on this week’s Dynamite. Miro attacked Pillman’s tag team partner Griff Garrison, causing him to retaliate. The two eventually had to be split apart by referees. Vickie Guerrero challenged Baker and Rebel, saying Tony Khan made the match as a favor to her after she brought in Andrade el Idolo to AEW. Guevara attacked MJF after MJF attacked Dean Malenko while he tried to stop The Pinnacle from attacking Chris Jericho and Jake Hager.
After June 30, AEW will return to live touring with a show in Miami on July 7 called Road Rager. A South Beach strap match between Cody Rhodes and QT Marshall has been announced for that card.
