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AEW’s Rebel Announces Heartbreaking Terminal ALS Diagnosis

By John Canton • Published May 01, 2026 13:47 EDT
Rebel AEW
Rebel AEW - Image via AEW

Rebel has shared some very sad news about her health after years of wondering what was wrong.

Wrestling fans know Rebel from her time as a wrestler in TNA Wrestling and also in AEW, where she was paired with Britt Baker. Rebel also worked backstage in AEW as a stylist.

When former AEW Women’s World Champion Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., was a rising star in AEW in the company’s first few years, Rebel was often seen at her side, supporting Baker as best she could, and also interfering in matches at times.

Rebel, whose real name is Tanea Brooks, has been dealing with health issues for several years while updating fans as best she can.

Sadly, Rebel has had serious health issues going back to May 2024, when she was hospitalized due to a mass on her lung that was pneumonia.

In June 2025, Rebel had surgery to remove a tumor. She announced in November 2025 that she had pulmonary lymphoma, which is cancer in the lungs.

“In May of 2024 I was hospitalized for what I thought was Cryptococcal pneumonia… I went a year on anti-fungals, but I was not getting better. After a year… I went to the Mayo Clinic. They found that it was not Cryptococcal pneumonia this whole time, and that it is primary pulmonary lymphoma, which is cancer in the lungs.”

Sadly, the situation has gotten even worse.

“Please Continue To Pray For A Peaceful Journey” – Rebel

In a very sad update on social media, Rebel announced that she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS.

“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.

As her message continued, Rebel also thanked AEW and the company’s owner, Tony Khan.

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.“

The health condition known as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Everybody here at TJRWrestling sends our love and support to Tanea Brooks aka Rebel, as well as her family, friends, fans, and loved ones during this difficult time.