AEW talent Rebel has announced that she is officially disabled as she continues her brave battle against a severe health condition. Taking to X, the 47-year-old revealed that she is fighting primary pulmonary lymphoma, a rare form of lung cancer.
In a heartfelt post that included a photo of her holding a disabled parking placard, Rebel—real name Tanea Brooks—shared her sadness regarding the development but maintained a spirit of determination. “It saddens me to say that it’s official. Disabled. I won’t stop fighting. I am working on getting into a better rehab.”
Career And Health Struggles
Rebel has been absent from AEW television since August 2022. While her absence was initially thought to be related to pneumonia, it has since been revealed that she is dealing with this rare cancer. The text notes she has been out of the ring since 2024 due to these escalating health issues.
Before her time in AEW, where she transitioned from a backstage makeup artist to Dr. Britt Baker’s popular comedic sidekick and manager, Brooks had a diverse career. She was a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and began her wrestling training at OVW. She later debuted in TNA Wrestling as part of The Menagerie stable and competed in Stardom, as well as making a brief appearance in NXT.
Our thoughts are with Rebel, and we send her well wishes.
It saddens me to say that it’s official. Disabled. I won’t stop fighting. I am working on getting into a better rehab. pic.twitter.com/AAKlvF0aMu
— REBEL (@RebelTanea) January 16, 2026
